Sussan Ley
Leader of the Opposition, Member for Farrer
“We will respect, reflect and represent modern Australia”
About Sussan
Sussan brings a depth of professional and life experience to the role.
Sussan migrated to Australia when she was thirteen years old. She has always felt grateful for the opportunities provided by this country.
She has worked as a cleaner, waitress and short order cook in shearing sheds, where she learned the value of a hard day’s work.
In her thirties, while raising young children, Sussan earned three degrees, including master’s degrees in accounting and tax law.
Sussan pursued her dream of flying and became an aerial stock mustering pilot.
She raised three children on a family farm during tough years, characterised by high interest rates and the wool floor price collapse.
After holding a senior position at the Australian Tax Office, Sussan entered parliament as the Member for Farrer in 2001.
Sussan’s experience includes serving in the Health, Aged Care, Environment, Education and Regional Development portfolios in government.
She was Deputy Liberal Leader between 2022 and 2025. Sussan’s pathway into politics came through identifying with the Liberal values of hard work, effort, reward and opportunity.
She is determined to build a future where young Australians can realise their dreams and where we build and reward aspiration.
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From my family to yours, I wish you a safe and blessed Christmas day.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Katie, former Liberal Member for Higgins and I extend my heartfelt condolences to her beloved family, friends and all who loved her.
Katie was a trailblazer in every sense. She did things differently and she did them her way. You only had to be in a room with her to feel her passion. Passion for women, for medicine, for education, for the Liberal Party, and above all for people who needed a helping hand.
As colleagues in the Liberal Party and in the parliament, I knew Katie as someone of exceptional intellect, courage and warmth. She cared deeply about public service and never lost sight of the human consequences of political decisions. She believed in service, responsibility and in contributing to something larger than herself.
I remember so clearly her campaign for Chisholm, fought with determination and energy even while she was battling ill health – something none of us fully understood at the time. She blazed with the same fire she showed in the federal parliament, standing up for her community with strength and conviction. Her bravery was remarkable.
Katie brought professional excellence and deep compassion to everything she did as a doctor, an academic and a parliamentarian. She was the smartest of colleagues, the kindest of friends, and an extraordinary wife and mother. Her beautiful family were the humanity that shone through everything she did.
Katie will be remembered with deep affection and respect by her colleagues and by all who had the privilege of working alongside her. She leaves a lasting legacy of service, courage and care for others. She will be deeply missed.
Australians deserve a Royal Commission into the Bondi attack and Antisemitism.
The Jewish community wants it. The Coalition is calling for it. Labor backbenchers support it. Lawyers across the country say it is necessary. Millions of Australians cannot understand why Anthony Albanese refuses to act.
The time for words is finished. The time for action is now.
Today, the Coalition releases the draft terms of reference for a Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Attack and Antisemitism in Australia.
This is about truth, accountability and keeping Australians safe.
Prime Minister, it is time for you to stand with the Jewish community, with the Coalition, with your own backbench and millions of Australians besides, who all support establishing this Commonwealth Royal Commission today.
The time for words is finished. The time for action is now.
Together with thousands of Australians, we gathered tonight one week on from the tragic Bondi massacre, where 15 innocent lives were taken.
Candles were lit in remembrance of those lost, prayers were offered for the injured, and we honoured the brave Australians who ran toward danger to save others.
We stand with Jewish Australians in this moment of shared grief, and we give a clear undertaking: we will act decisively to keep Australians safe, protect our Jewish community and secure justice.
Today I met Ahmed. In a moment of terror, he showed extraordinary courage, wrestling a gun from a man intent on harm and helping to save lives. His actions speak to calm under pressure, decency under threat, and the very best of the Australian character.
I also want to honour everyone who ran toward danger at Bondi to protect others. The police officers and first responders who placed themselves in harm’s way. And the ordinary Australians who stepped forward to help strangers when it mattered most. Some paid the highest price. We will never forget them.
In the shadow of a terrible tragedy, their bravery and selflessness remind us who we are as a nation. We owe them our deepest thanks and enduring respect.
Prime Minister, the time for words is finished. The time for action is now. Recall the Parliament on Monday so we can legislate immediate responses and support a Commonwealth Royal Commission today so we get the longer term responses right.
My message to those who preach hatred, preach radical Islam, glorify terrorism or incite violence is very clear.
If you are not an Australian citizen, you will be deported.
If you are an Australian citizen, you will be arrested.
Tonight at the Central Synagogue in Bondi Junction, I stood with the Jewish community to mourn those lost and to stand firmly against antisemitism and extremism.
After two years of inaction from Anthony Albanese, the Coalition is stepping up where his government has failed, with real leadership, clear consequences and decisive action against antisemitism.
Australia has suffered the deadliest terrorist attack on our soil, with Jewish Australians targeted because of their faith.
Today, we announced a strong, practical package to confront antisemitism, strengthen counter-terrorism laws and protect Australians. Leadership means acting, and acting now.
Today, I convened the Shadow Cabinet because leadership cannot wait.
After two years of inaction, Australia has now suffered the deadliest terrorist attack on our soil. Jewish Australians were murdered simply because of their faith.
The time for words is finished. We are calling on the Prime Minister to recall Parliament immediately and pass urgent laws to eradicate antisemitism and strengthen counter-terrorism.
The Coalition has a serious, practical plan ready. Leadership now means acting and acting without delay.
It was a privilege to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters tonight, to mourn those lost in the Bondi attack and to light a Hanukkah candle in their memory.
The time for words has passed. The time for action is now.
The Coalition’s Taskforce on Antisemitism, Extremism and Counter-Terrorism met with Jewish Australian community leaders in Bondi to listen, to stand with them, and to show leadership where it has been missing.
For too long, antisemitism has been allowed to fester and grow more brazen in Australia. Warnings were raised and ignored, and the government failed to act. Communities are now living with the consequences of that failure.
We have stood up this taskforce because words are no longer enough. Where the government has refused to take decisive action, we will.
The taskforce has three clear priorities:
• driving the full implementation of the government’s own Antisemitism Envoy’s report
• strengthening Australia’s counter-terrorism response, including intelligence, law enforcement and border integrity
• ongoing, direct engagement with Jewish community leaders to ensure their security needs are understood and acted on
Leadership is not just about showing up in moments of crisis. It is about confronting hate early, acting decisively, and doing the hard work to keep Australians safe.
