Rightwing Liberal meeting in Melbourne before Katie Allen memorial signals challenge to Ley

A group of rightwing Liberal men gathered at a private residence in Melbourne on Thursday for secret talks about ousting Sussan Ley, hours before a memorial service for former MP Katie Allen, the Guardian reports. The images of the meeting, the report says, confirmed two things: the internal plot to remove Ley has descended into a political melodrama, and while she might avoid a spill when federal parliament returns next week, a leadership challenge is coming.

The Guardian’s account details a week-long stalemate among right-faction figures, with Angus Taylor refusing to step aside because of his seniority and Andrew Hastie’s camp insisting it has the numbers. Interventions from figures such as Tony Abbott have not produced a quick resolution, and Hastie’s Monday Australia Day email to supporters was read by some as a prelude to a bid.

An exclusive in The Australian reporting Hastie’s wife had given her blessing to a yet-to-be-announced tilt was also noted in the coverage. The meeting in Melbourne was shown in footage captured by The Australian and, according to the report, was brokered by former MP Michael Sukkar and attended by Hastie, Jonno Duniam, Matt O’Sullivan, Angus Taylor and James Paterson.

The timing overshadowed the memorial for Katie Allen, who died aged 59 after a battle with cancer, and prompted private anger from Liberal MPs; Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the talks “astonishing,” the report says.

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