Topzle Topzle

Sussan Ley

Updated: Wikipedia source

Sussan Ley

Sussan Penelope Ley (pron. , "Susan Lee"; née Susan Penelope Braybrooks; born 14 December 1961) is an Australian politician who has served as the Leader of the Opposition and leader of the Liberal Party since May 2025, being the first woman to hold either role. Prior to assuming the party leadership, she was the Deputy Leader of the Opposition and deputy leader of the Liberal Party. Ley served as a cabinet minister in the Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments. She also served as a parliamentary secretary in the final term of the Howard government. Ley was born in Nigeria to English parents and grew up in the Trucial States (now the United Arab Emirates) and England before moving to Australia as a teenager. Prior to entering politics, she worked as a commercial pilot, farmer and public servant based in Albury, New South Wales. She was elected to the House of Representatives at the 2001 federal election representing the regional New South Wales division of Farrer. In the Abbott and Turnbull governments, Ley held various ministerial portfolios including Health, Sport, and Aged Care. She resigned from the ministry in January 2017 following a controversy over her travel expense claims, but returned in August 2018 when Scott Morrison succeeded Malcolm Turnbull as prime minister. She subsequently served as Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories and Minister for the Environment prior to the government's defeat at the 2022 federal election. Following the 2025 federal election, Ley became the acting leader of the Liberal Party, and won the subsequent Liberal leadership election to become leader of the Liberal Party and therefore Leader of the Opposition.

Infobox

Prime Minister
Tony Abbott
Deputy
Ted O'Brien
Preceded by
Tim Fischer
Leader
Peter DuttonHerself (acting)
Succeeded by
Simon Birmingham
Ministerial offices 2013–⁠2022
Ministerial offices 2013–⁠2022 Minister for the EnvironmentIn office29 May 2019 – 23 May 2022Prime MinisterScott MorrisonPreceded byMelissa PriceSucceeded byTanya PlibersekAssistant Minister for Regional Development and TerritoriesIn office26 August 2018 – 26 May 2019Prime MinisterScott MorrisonPreceded byOffice establishedSucceeded byNola MarinoMinister for HealthIn office23 December 2014 – 13 January 2017Prime MinisterTony AbbottMalcolm TurnbullPreceded byPeter DuttonSucceeded byGreg HuntMinister for SportIn office23 December 2014 – 13 January 2017Prime MinisterTony AbbottMalcolm TurnbullPreceded byPeter DuttonSucceeded byGreg HuntMinister for Aged CareIn office30 September 2015 – 13 January 2017Prime MinisterMalcolm TurnbullPreceded byChristian PorterSucceeded byKen Wyatt (as Assistant Minister for Health and Minister for Indigenous Health and Aged Care)Assistant Minister for EducationIn office18 September 2013 – 23 December 2014Prime MinisterTony AbbottPreceded byKate EllisSucceeded bySimon Birmingham
Born
Susan Penelope Braybrooks (1961-12-14) 14 December 1961 (age 63)Kano, Nigeria
Political party
Liberal (since 1994)
Spouse
mw- John Ley (m. 1987; div. 2004)
Children
3
Residence(s)
Albury, New South Wales, Australia
Alma mater
La Trobe UniversityUniversity of New South WalesCharles Sturt University
Occupation
Aircraft pilot, taxation officer
Website
sussanley.com
Party
Liberal (since 1994)

Tables

· External links
Preceded byTim Fischer
Preceded byTim Fischer
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byTim Fischer
Parliament of Australia
Member for Farrer 2001–present
Parliament of Australia
Incumbent
Political offices
Political offices
Parliament of Australia
Political offices
Preceded byKate Ellisas Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth
Preceded byKate Ellisas Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byKate Ellisas Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth
Parliament of Australia
Assistant Minister for Education 2013–2014
Parliament of Australia
Succeeded bySimon Birminghamas Assistant Minister for Education and Training
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Parliament of Australia
Minister for Health 2014–2017
Parliament of Australia
Succeeded byGreg Hunt
Minister for Sport 2014–2017
Minister for Sport 2014–2017
Parliament of Australia
Minister for Sport 2014–2017
Preceded byChristian Porteras Minister for Social Services
Preceded byChristian Porteras Minister for Social Services
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byChristian Porteras Minister for Social Services
Parliament of Australia
Minister for Aged Care 2015–2017
Parliament of Australia
Succeeded byKen Wyatt
Preceded byMelissa Price
Preceded byMelissa Price
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byMelissa Price
Parliament of Australia
Minister for the Environment 2019–2022
Parliament of Australia
Succeeded byTanya Plibersekas Minister for the Environment and Water
Preceded byRichard Marles
Preceded byRichard Marles
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byRichard Marles
Parliament of Australia
Deputy Leader of the Opposition 2022–2025
Parliament of Australia
Succeeded byTed O'Brien
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Parliament of Australia
Leader of the Opposition 2025–present
Parliament of Australia
Incumbent
Party political offices
Party political offices
Parliament of Australia
Party political offices
Preceded byJosh Frydenberg
Preceded byJosh Frydenberg
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byJosh Frydenberg
Parliament of Australia
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party 2022–2025
Parliament of Australia
Succeeded byTed O'Brien
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Parliament of Australia
Leader of the Liberal Party 2025–present
Parliament of Australia
Incumbent
Parliament of Australia
Preceded byTim Fischer
Member for Farrer 2001–present
Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded byKate Ellisas Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth
Assistant Minister for Education 2013–2014
Succeeded bySimon Birminghamas Assistant Minister for Education and Training
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Minister for Health 2014–2017
Succeeded byGreg Hunt
Minister for Sport 2014–2017
Preceded byChristian Porteras Minister for Social Services
Minister for Aged Care 2015–2017
Succeeded byKen Wyatt
Preceded byMelissa Price
Minister for the Environment 2019–2022
Succeeded byTanya Plibersekas Minister for the Environment and Water
Preceded byRichard Marles
Deputy Leader of the Opposition 2022–2025
Succeeded byTed O'Brien
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Leader of the Opposition 2025–present
Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded byJosh Frydenberg
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party 2022–2025
Succeeded byTed O'Brien
Preceded byPeter Dutton
Leader of the Liberal Party 2025–present
Incumbent

References

  1. Acting: 5–13 May 2025
  2. "Sussan Ley (Australia) - message during #AdaptationSummit 2021 (Climate Adaptation Summit)"
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnNlIWNIBnA
  3. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-13/liberal-party-new-leader-sussan-ley/105285148
  4. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-04/liberal-leadership-four-contenders-federal-election-2025/105250010
  5. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-04/federal-election-2025-live-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton/105249086#live-blog-post-176844
  6. The Australian
    http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/health/sussan-leys-next-big-challenge/news-story/38922ac6dcf1e7911d1426394a457490
  7. news
    https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/sussan-leys-name-change-shocks-the-hosts-of-the-project/news-story/0bb80f2c5496d64cb626b9f36bc0eb48
  8. aph.gov.au
    https://dl.aph.gov.au/citizenship/LeyS_CTZ45P.pdf
  9. Senators and Members of the Parliament of Australia
    https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/00AMN
  10. NSW Migration Heritage Centre
    https://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/index.html
  11. nsw.gov.au
    http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/
  12. "Sussan Ley (nee Braybrooks)"
    http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibition/belongings/ley/
  13. SBS News
    https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/who-is-sussan-ley-the-liberal-partys-first-female-leader/lwatlwvb2?cid=newsapp:socialshare:other
  14. skynews.com.au
    https://www.skynews.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity-life/youre-a-real-powerhouse-of-a-woman-kyle-sandilands-gushes-over-new-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-despite-close-ties-to-pm-anthony-albanese/news-story/3a82f3cadd164be89e76c7d453877ab2
  15. SussanLey.com
    http://sussanley.com/about-sussan-ley/
  16. "Sussan Ley - Master of Accountancy - 2000"
    https://alumni.csu.edu.au/current-alumni/meet-our-alumni/search/profiles/sussan-ley-master-of-accountancy-2000
  17. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/federal-environment-minister-sussan-ley-i-had-to-crawl-along-the-floor-at-window-level-20191014-p530eo.html
  18. Research Papers 2001–02
    https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0102/02rp11
  19. "The 42nd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 6 December 2007 – 22 September 2008"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111124213202/http://aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/6Dec07-22Sep08.htm
  20. "The 42nd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 22 September 2008 – 23 January 2009"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110602190322/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/22Sep08-23Jan09.htm
  21. "The 42nd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 8 December 2009 – 25 March 2010"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111124212259/http://aph.gov.au/Library/parl/42/Shadow/08Dec09-25Mar10.htm
  22. "The 43rd Parliament – Shadow Ministry 3 March 2011 -"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111207161103/http://www.aph.gov.au/Library/parl/43/Shadow/index.htm
  23. Australian Politics
    http://australianpolitics.com/2013/09/16/first-abbott-ministry-announced.html
  24. news.com.au
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141221133135/http://www.news.com.au/national/northern-territory/cabinet-reshuffle-tony-abbott-promotes-sussan-ley-to-health-david-johnston-axed/story-fnn3gfdo-1227163359254
  25. news.com.au
    http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/the-shape-of-things-to-come-new-health-minister-sussan-leys-slush-fund-speech-shows-she-has-fight/story-fn5tas5k-1227163647940
  26. Guardian Australia
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2014/dec/21/tony-abbott-cabinet-reshuffle-moves-scott-morrison-out-of-immigration
  27. news.com.au
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150914052514/http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbotts-revamped-ministry-sworn-in-at-government-house/story-fncynjr2-1227164880085
  28. The Sydney Morning Herald
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/aged-care-health-minister-sussan-ley-to-pick-up-extra-portfolio-20150930-gjy248.html
  29. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-06/ley%27s-purchase-of-unit-on-taxpayer-funded-trip-%27not-planned%27/8165414
  30. The Economist
    https://www.economist.com/asia/2017/01/19/an-expenses-scandal-claims-an-australian-minister
  31. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-08/sussan-ley-to-pay-back-cost-of-taxpayer-funded-gold-coast-trips/8168718
  32. The Sydney Morning Herald
    http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/health-minister-sussan-ley-stands-aside-pending-investigation-over-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trips-20170108-gtnz6z.html
  33. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-09/sussan-ley-stands-aside-over-travel-expenses/8169410
  34. "Health Minister Sussan Ley resigns over expenses scandal"
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-13/sussan-ley-tenders-resignation-parliament-expenses-scandal/8180602
  35. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-18/greg-hunt-replaces-sussan-ley-as-health-minister/8190384
  36. Sky News (Australia)
    http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2017/01/24/new-ministers-to-be-sworn-in.html
  37. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/malcolm-turnbull-v-peter-dutton-who-voted-for-who-the-full-list-20180821-p4zyvg.html
  38. ABC News
    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-24/the-liberal-mps-that-sparked-the-spill/10161660
  39. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-the-party-members-voted-in-the-liberal-leadership-contest-20180824-p4zzoc.html
  40. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-26/election-2019-scott-morrison-unveils-government-ministry/11150626
  41. Australian Financial Review
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/landmark-climate-change-duty-of-care-ruling-overturned-20220315-p5a4qm
  42. "Coalition scrapped recovery plans for 176 threatened species and habitats in one of its final acts"
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/02/coalition-scrapped-recovery-plans-for-176-threatened-species-and-habitats-in-one-of-its-final-acts
  43. "Peter Dutton remains only candidate for Liberal leader, Sussan Ley and Jane Hume frontrunners for deputy"
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-24/peter-dutton-only-candidate-liberal-leader-sussan-ley-deputy/101094524
  44. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-30/peter-dutton-liberal-party-leader-sussan-ley-deputy/101109498
  45. "Majority of Australia's environment in 'poor' state as Labor blames the Coalition for decade of 'inaction and wilful ignorance'"
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-19/state-of-australian-environment-report/101247794
  46. "Australia's environment is 'poor and deteriorating' says damning new report"
    https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/19/australia/australia-climate-change-environment-report-intl-hnk/index.html
  47. "Sussan Ley said no one in the world is making an electric ute. Is that correct?"
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-30/fact-check-sussan-ley-electric-ute/101386412
  48. ""A monumental blunder": EV Council CEO rolls eyes after Shadow Small Business Minister claims electric utes don't exist"
    https://www.smartcompany.com.au/sustainability/ev-council-ceo-shadow-business-minister-electric-utes/
  49. "Sussan Ley introduces her alter ego 'Tina Ley-na Turner'"
    https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/let-me-introduce-my-alter-ego-sussan-ley-rocks-up-to-parliament-as-tina-leyna-turner-as-part-of-dare-for-cancer-charity/news-story/94729ab9c00a9abe9a78d16e02e30716?amp
  50. "If you live in Frankston and you've got a problem with Victorian women being assaulted by foreign criminals, vote against Labor. If you do not want to see Australian women being assaulted by foreign criminals, vote against Labor. Send Labor a message"
    https://x.com/sussanley/status/1763060889765515496
  51. "Ex-detainee has sex offence charges dropped in police bungle"
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-29/ex-detainee-charged-with-sex-offences-high-court/103527968
  52. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sussan-ley-stands-by-foreign-criminals-tweet-on-eve-of-dunkley-byelection-20240301-p5f903.html
  53. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-state-broadcaster-abc-projects-opposition-leader-dutton-lose-seat-2025-05-03/
  54. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-09/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-defection-liberals-slammed/105270512
  55. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjrn4x1xr2do
  56. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/13/australia-news-live-sussan-ley-angus-taylor-liberal-leadership-ballot-jim-chalmers-anthony-albanese-labor-economy-ntwnfb#top-of-blog
  57. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/20/nationals-leaving-split-coalition-liberal-party-australian-election
  58. "Ley breaks with Dutton on immigration, DOGE, but ignites feuding after cull"
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/coalition-finally-back-together-as-littleproud-rival-rejects-frontbench-job-20250528-p5m2tr.html
  59. Speers, David
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-29/nationals-liberals-reunite-coalition-frontbench-shadow-cabinet/105347460
  60. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-10/jacinta-nampijinpa-price-refuses-to-apologise-sussan-ley/105758494
  61. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news
  62. The Australian
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/newspoll-coalition-records-its-worst-ever-primary-vote/news-story/ff6fc647bd2b283d45d28a9b62106b7a
  63. "Andrew Hastie quits shadow cabinet"
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-03/andrew-hastie-quits-shadow-cabinet/105850958
  64. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-morrison-s-shattering-defeat-gave-dutton-a-seismic-shift-in-factional-power-20230330-p5cwoq.html
  65. The Conversation
    https://theconversation.com/sussan-ley-says-she-is-listening-to-women-who-rejected-the-liberals-but-will-she-hear-what-they-are-saying-184448
  66. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/people-were-fed-up-sussan-ley-on-her-punk-past-feminism-and-why-the-liberals-lost-20220609-p5asnp.html
  67. www.colypointobserver.com.au
    https://www.colypointobserver.com.au/story/5103536/marriage-equality-law-to-heal-the-anguish-sussan-ley/
  68. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/group-of-mps-backs-palestinian-bid-for-statehood-20110918-1kg2i.html
  69. The Australian
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/sussan-ley-leads-liberal-delegation-to-israel/news-story/a3d6228d4fb8de2455e29ea7f16bc5e6
  70. The Australian Jewish News
    https://www.australianjewishnews.com/ley-reflects-on-israel/
  71. Sky News
    https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/sussan-ley-blasts-labors-decision-not-to-expel-fatima-payman-after-senator-crossed-the-floor-on-palestinian-statehood/news-story/be680980b8847098b3db29004ed2a551
  72. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-12/albanese-says-israel-prime-minister-in-denial/105640946
  73. Financial Review
    http://www.afr.com/news/sussan-ley-builds-support-to-ban-terminal-live-sheep-trade-20180521-h10bl3
  74. "Coalition MPs introduce bill for ban on live exports, saying industry is not viable"
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/may/21/coalition-mps-introduce-bill-for-ban-on-live-exports-saying-industry-is-not-viable
  75. Countryman
    https://www.countryman.com.au/countryman/livestock/deputy-opposition-leader-backflips-on-live-sheep-exports-after-trying-to-ban-industry-c-10138485
  76. AFR.com
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/stop-the-moral-blackmail-on-the-voice-sussan-ley-20230530-p5dcgo
  77. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-27/abanese-sussan-ley-elon-musk-analogy-disrespectful/104862906
  78. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/25/sydney-church-stabbing-x-content-removal-elon-musk-peter-dutton-esafety-commissioner
  79. The Age
    http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sussan-ley-from-punk-rocker-to-health-minister-20141222-12c643.html
  80. The Australian Financial Review
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/the-podcast-all-of-federal-parliament-is-obsessed-with-20241218-p5kzir
  81. openpolitics.au
    https://openpolitics.au/47/sussan-ley
  82. Seven News
    https://7news.com.au/sunrise/liberal-mp-sussan-ley-and-labor-minister-jason-clare-unite-for-sydney-swans-afl-grand-final-push--c-16196526
  83. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/gift-of-fate-sussan-ley-mourns-death-of-mother-angela-20250517-p5m00a.html
  84. ABC News
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-17/liberal-opposition-leader-sussan-leys-mother-dies/105305044
Image
Source:
Tip: Wheel or +/− to zoom, drag to pan, Esc to close.