After its worst defeat on record the Liberal Party has elected its first female leader. Sussan Ley emerged triumphant from today's party-room meeting after narrowly defeating rival Angus Taylor. While the new Opposition leader begins to rebuild her depleted party the Prime Minister and his new-look frontbench have been sworn-in by the Governor-General.
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00:00The spoils of victory for Labor Ministers launching into their second term and their families.
00:11The Honourable Annika Wells MB as Minister.
00:17One by one, the Prime Minister presented the 48 members of his front bench.
00:22I, Penelope Ying-Yen Wong.
00:24Sworn in at Government House.
00:26It's the best seat in the House that you have.
00:28And with one century-old Bible in tow, the victors stood in full-coloured contrast to the Liberals confronting their crushing defeat.
00:38Feeling confident today?
00:39See you soon.
00:40After a brief party room meeting, Susan Lee emerged triumphant, winning the leadership 29 votes to 25.
00:47A defeated Angus Taylor slipping out the back door.
00:51In the end, his running mate, Jacinta Nampajimpa-Price, didn't nominate for deputy.
00:56Is it worth a switch, Senator Price?
00:58That role going to Ted O'Brien in a vote that's seen as a return to the centre.
01:03As a party, it's important that we now unify behind Susan.
01:06We can't rebuild if we're not united.
01:08Moderates relieved, Liberal women rejoicing.
01:12We're delighted with the result.
01:14Australia spoke very clearly to the Liberal Party.
01:16We've listened and we've acted.
01:17It is significant that there will be a photo on that wall of a female.
01:21That will be the first time in our party's history.
01:23Making history in the shadow of an historic defeat.
01:27Right now, we have to respect the result and reflect with humility.
01:35We want to do things differently and we have to have a fresh approach.
01:39Susan Lee putting every policy on the table from nuclear power to the coalition's commitment
01:45to net zero emissions by 2050.
01:48No policies have been adopted or walked away from at this time.
01:52Susan Lee has a daunting task ahead of her.
01:55Winning today's leadership ballot by only a handful of votes demonstrates the party's sharp divide.
02:02She's declared governments are one from the sensible centre but she'll need to convince a good slice of her party of that.
02:09Her first priority will be putting together a front bench while trying to forge a functional relationship with a restive national party.
02:18Her constituents at least are ringing in a new era.
02:22Celebrating the ascension of Susan Lee.