Sussan Ley has announced she will resign from politics, stepping down as the member for Farrer just hours after losing the Liberal Party leadership.
Ley, who has held the southern New South Wales seat since 2001, confirmed she will vacate Parliament following her defeat in the party room earlier on Friday. Her exit closes a 25 year chapter in federal politics that began when she won Farrer in a three-cornered contest after the retirement of former Nationals leader Tim Fischer.
Since that first victory, Ley maintained double digit two-party margins in Farrer. In recent years, however, her buffer narrowed against Independent challengers. Her margin fell to 10.9 per cent in 2019 and tightened further to 6.2 per cent in 2025.
Her decision to leave Parliament comes at a moment of internal upheaval for the Coalition. Having served as the first female leader of the federal Liberal Party, Ley’s tenure at the top lasted nine months. The leadership spill that removed her has already reshaped the Opposition frontbench. Her departure from Parliament now triggers a by-election in a seat long regarded as a Liberal stronghold.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson responded quickly, saying: “I want to wish Sussan Ley all the best in her future outside of politics.
9 wins and 25 years in politics is a sign of her resilience in this tough environment.
One Nation will be contesting the by election in Farrer with a strong candidate that represents regional NSW, the rural sector, and someone who understands the issues of the Murray Darling and water.
The by-election in Farrer will offer an early indication of how voters respond to both the leadership change and the broader policy debates on housing, energy and migration
Our rural communities have long been forgotten by both major parties and are suffering at the hands of Net Zero, increased power prices, a lack of housing and services, immigration, and the decimation of prime agricultural land by city centric policies.”
Hanson’s statement makes clear that Farrer will not be uncontested terrain. While the Liberals have historically dominated the seat, the tightening margins in recent elections suggest that regional discontent and the rise of minor parties have altered the electoral map.
Ley’s long tenure in Farrer was built on consistent local campaigning and senior ministerial roles across several portfolios. Over time, she also developed visible ties with Australia’s multicultural communities, including engagement with Indian-Australian leaders and participation in community events that highlighted shared civic values.
That relationship was tested in 2025 following controversy over comments made by a Coalition senator regarding Indian migration. Ley publicly sought to distance the party from those remarks and engaged directly with community representatives in the aftermath. Those efforts were widely seen as an attempt to steady relations during a period of strain.
Her resignation from Parliament now shifts attention back to regional New South Wales and the political direction of the Opposition under new leader Angus Taylor. The by-election in Farrer will offer an early indication of how voters respond to both the leadership change and the broader policy debates on housing, energy and migration.
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