The Liberal Party’s worst electoral wipeout has led to it choosing its first female leader.

Sussan Ley’s ascension to head of the federal Liberal Party will be celebrated as a milestone that has eluded the party for years. But it’s not a simple story of broken glass ceilings: Ley’s leadership success will depend on how she fixes a wounded brand that must claw its way back to relevance.

So Ley was asked on Tuesday, in her first press conference as leader, whether her election was an example of the “glass-cliff” phenomenon – where women are most likely to take up leadership positions when their organisation is on the precipice of disaster.

“I don’t accept that in my appointment,” Ley said. “I do say it sends a signal to the women of Australia that the Liberal Party has elected its first woman leader.

“But my agenda is much more than that. Of course, it is about connecting with women and listening to where we went wrong. But when you develop a cohesive, consultative party room process, it includes a range of views, and I know I can lead that effectively and well.”

Ley has been quick to rebuff suggestions that she will be the fall lady for the Coalition’s crisis. She emphasises that she put her hand up for the challenge. The pool of competitors had been hollowed out by electoral defeats and the unpalatable task, but Ley nonetheless........

© Brisbane Times