Australian news and politics live: Ley defends leadership as Liberal Party eyes Hastie switch

NSW Nationals MP Dugald Saunders has announced his immediate resignation as leader of the party.

“For the past two-and-a-half years I have had the privilege of leading the NSW Nationals, today I am stepping down from that position,” Mr Saunders said in a statement.

“It’s been an honour to lead the parliamentary team during a challenging time in opposition and I’ve always done my best to represent regional NSW.

“I will continue to serve the people of the Dubbo electorate as their local member.

“It’s also the right time to allow a new leader to take up the fight ahead of the next election.”

Key backers of Opposition Leader Sussan Ley have dismissed reports that members of her moderate faction in the Liberal Party are shifting support to conservative rival Andrew Hastie.

The Australian newspaper on Monday reported “a growing number of moderate Liberal MPs are pulling their support for Sussan Ley and are backing Andrew Hastie to be the next leader”.

According to the report, moderates are arguing she has caved to Mr Hastie’s agenda on dumping net zero, and the backbencher has a better chance of lifting the Coalition’s stocks electorally.

In a joint statement, Liberal Senators Anne Ruston and Maria Kovacic have declared “media reports this morning about the moderates are incorrect”.

“We, along with an overwhelming majority of our moderate colleagues, continue to strongly support Sussan’s leadership. This matter was resolved in the party room six months ago and Sussan will lead us strongly to the next election.”

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce claims key Liberal Party members are positioning themselves for a challenge to Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.

Speaking on Sunrise this morning, the former Deputy Prime Minister offered advice to expected contenders Angus Taylor and Andrew Hastie.

“Obviously, it does look like people are positioning themselves. I wouldn’t be telling you the truth, otherwise, would I?”

“What I would also say — it’s a 1500-metre race — be really careful where you position yourself on the first lap. It’s nothing, nobody really cares.”

“The finish line is two and a half years away, and that’s where you’ve got to be positioning yourself,” he added.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley is having a rough start to the week.

Fronting Sydney’s 2GB as criticism mounts and leadership speculation grows, Ms Ley was forced to listen to an audio recording of multiple radio callers stating they wanted WA’s Andrew Hastie as leader of the Liberal Party.

After listening, Ms Ley tried to convince listeners, and likely her colleagues listening in, that she was personally unbothered.

“People are entitled to have their views. I’m not here for a sense of ego about me. Can I be really clear about that?” Ms Ley said.

“I’ve been underestimated a lot of my life. I remember when a lot of blokes told me I couldn’t fly an airplane and did a lot to keep me out of the front seat, and I flew an airplane.

“I flew a mustering plane in very small circles, very close to the ground, and that was pretty tough at the time. I did many things, have done many things, but once again it’s actually not about me, it’s about the Australian people, and they’re what motivates me every single day.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shared what could be labelled personal compassion for Opposition Leader Sussan Ley amid growing reports that support is moving to Andrew Hastie.

“It’s a tough game,” Mr Albanese told Nova Melbourne’s Jase and Lauren.

“And the problem is she’s clearly being undermined by her own side, and they’re a bit of a rabble at the moment. That’s the truth.

“They (announced) a so-called policy that really doesn’t add up … and they can’t even agree on what they’ve decided.”

Sussan Ley told Sunrise on Monday that energy prices will be more affordable under the Coalition plan.

“I’m not going to look people in the eye like Anthony Albanese did in two elections and say energy will be cheaper,” Ms Ley said, while saying energy would be cheaper under her.

Host Nat Barr stopped the Opposition Leader, saying: “You just did”.

Attempting to get back on message, Ms Ley said: “We need to build more energy.”

Ms Ley said Australia needed to start using more gas and stop exporting it to other countries to help bring prices down.

Ms Ley appeared off her game on Monday, trapping herself in multiple slip-ups. If she were hoping this interview would set her up for a good week, she might not be feeling worried.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Ms Ley says Labor have “failed” Australians, allowing too many immigrants into the country without a plan.

“The country, the infrastructure, the commute to work, the schools and the hospitals are struggling to cope,” Ms Ley told Sunrise on Monday. “Labor has brought in over a million migrants with no plans to house them.”

Ms Ley refused to put a number on acceptable immigration levels, saying a number isn’t appropriate due to the different streams of immigrant intake in Australia. However, Ms Ley said Labor’s number was “wrong”.

“Every time they (Labor) give the Australian people a number, it’s the wrong number.”

Host Nat Barr asked how Ms Ley could say the number was “wrong” while refusing to give a number herself, with the Opposition Leader defending her stance by stating Labor had more information because they are in Government.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has responded to reports WA Liberal MP Andrew Hastie is gaining support for a potential leadership spill that would see the party oust its first female Federal leader.

Sunrise host Nat Barr told Ms Ley “the sharks are circling”, mentioning reports moderate MPs are abandoning the Opposition Leader and turning to Mr Hastie.

“I won’t lose focus on the plan that I’m talking about right now, which is about people. It’s about Australians. I’m going to focus on the really important things that I’m going to be talking about every day,” Ms Ley said.

Barr put the question straight to Ms Ley: “So you’re not worried?”

“No,” Ms Ley fired back.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW IN THE PLAYER ABOVE