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The Honourable
Sussan Ley
MP
Sussan Ley (Sept 21) (cropped).png
Ley in 2021
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
13 May 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Deputy Ted O'Brien
Preceded by Peter Dutton
16th Leader of the Liberal Party
Assumed office
13 May 2025
Acting: 3–13 May 2025
Deputy Ted O'Brien
Preceded by Peter Dutton
Deputy Leader of the Opposition
In office
30 May 2022 – 13 May 2025
Leader Peter Dutton
Preceded by Richard Marles
Succeeded by Ted O'Brien
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party
In office
30 May 2022 – 13 May 2025
Leader Peter Dutton
Herself (acting)
Preceded by Josh Frydenberg
Succeeded by Ted O'Brien
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Farrer
Assumed office
10 November 2001
Preceded by Tim Fischer
Personal details
Born
Susan Penelope Braybrooks

(1961-12-14) 14 December 1961 (age 63)
Kano, Northern Region, Nigeria
Political party Liberal (since 1994)
Spouse
John Ley
​
​
(m. 1987; div. 2004)​
Children 3
Residences Albury, New South Wales, Australia
Alma mater La Trobe University
University of New South Wales
Charles Sturt University
Occupation Aircraft pilot, taxation officer

Sussan Penelope Ley (born 14 December 1961) is an Australian politician. She is currently the Leader of the Opposition and the leader of the Liberal Party. She became the first woman to hold either of these important roles in May 2025.

Before becoming the leader, she was the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Sussan Ley has also served as a minister in several Australian governments. These include the Abbott government, Turnbull government, and Morrison government. She was also a parliamentary secretary in the Howard government.

Ley was born in Nigeria to English parents. She grew up in the United Arab Emirates and England. Her family moved to Australia when she was a teenager. Before entering politics, she worked as a commercial pilot, a farmer, and a public servant. She was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in 2001. She represents the area of Farrer in New South Wales.

Early Life and Background

Sussan Ley was born Susan Penelope Braybrooks on 14 December 1961. Her parents, Edgar and Angela Braybrooks, were English. She was born in Kano, Nigeria. When she was one year old, her family moved to the United Arab Emirates. Her father worked there as a British intelligence officer.

Ley went to boarding school in England until she was 13. Then, her family moved to Australia. They first bought a farm in Queensland. Later, they moved to Canberra, where her father worked for the Australian Federal Police.

She studied at several universities, including La Trobe University and the University of New South Wales. She has master's degrees in taxation and accounting.

Ley changed her name from Susan to Sussan. She once said it was because of numerology. But in a later interview, she explained she added the extra "s" as a teenager to annoy her family.

Before Politics

When Sussan Ley was 19, she started flight school. She earned her commercial pilot's license at age 20. She worked different jobs, including a waitress and a department store cleaner. She also trained as an air traffic controller.

Later, she became a commercial pilot. She also worked as a farmer and a cook for sheep shearers. From 1995 to 2001, she was a director at the Australian Taxation Office in Albury.

Political Journey

Sussan Ley joined the Liberal Party in 1994. She was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in the 2001 election. She won the seat of Farrer in New South Wales. She won by a very small number of votes.

Early Government Roles (2001–2007)

In the Howard government, Ley held a few important roles. In 2004, she became the Parliamentary Secretary for Children and Youth Affairs. In 2006, she became the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

In Opposition (2007–2013)

SussanLeyJerilderieLibraryOpening
Ley in 2009 at a library opening in Jerilderie, New South Wales

After the 2007 election, the Liberal Party was no longer in government. Sussan Ley became a "Shadow Minister." This means she was responsible for areas like Housing and Women's Affairs for the Opposition. Later, she was the Shadow Minister for Customs and Justice.

When Tony Abbott became the Opposition Leader, she took on new roles. These included Shadow Assistant Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Employment Participation.

Ministerial Roles (2013–2018)

In September 2013, the Liberal Party won the election. Sussan Ley became the Assistant Minister for Education. She was responsible for childcare. In December 2014, she was promoted to a senior role in the government. She became the Minister for Health and Minister for Sport. In 2015, she also became the Minister for Aged Care.

Morrison Government (2018–2022)

In August 2018, Sussan Ley returned to a government role. She became the Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories. In May 2019, she became the Minister for the Environment.

In 2022, a court ruled that she had a "duty of care" to children regarding climate change when approving coal mines. Ley successfully appealed this decision. Also in 2022, she approved a plan to remove many recovery plans for threatened species.

Back in Opposition (2022–2025)

After the 2022 election, the Liberal Party lost power. Sussan Ley was elected as the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in May 2022.

In July 2022, the new Environment Minister said Ley had not released a report. This report showed the poor health of Australia's environment. In August 2022, Ley made a statement about electric vehicles. She later clarified her comments about electric utes not being available in Australia.

In October 2022, Ley visited Israel. She went with a group to support West Jerusalem as the capital. In March 2023, she dressed as Tina Turner in Parliament to help raise money for cancer research.

Leader of the Opposition (2025–Present)

In 2025, the Liberal Party leader, Peter Dutton, lost his seat in the election. This made Sussan Ley the acting leader of the Liberal Party. She then won the leadership election. She defeated Angus Taylor by 29 votes to 25.

Sussan Ley is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party. She is also the first woman to be the Leader of the Opposition in Australia. At 63, she is also the oldest person to become Leader of the Opposition for the first time since 1960.

Political Views

Sussan Ley is part of the "moderate faction" of the Liberal Party. This means she holds more centrist views within her party.

She identifies as a feminist. She also supports Australia becoming a republic, meaning it would no longer have the British monarch as its head of state. In 2017, Ley voted to legalize same-sex marriage in Australia.

In 2011, Ley supported Palestine joining the United Nations. In May 2018, she suggested a law to ban the live export of sheep. However, in 2023, she changed her mind and supported the sheep live export industry.

In 2023, Ley supported the "No" vote in the referendum about an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. She has also shown support for Elon Musk.

Personal Life

Sussan Ley met her husband, John Ley, while working with cattle from the air in Queensland. They married in 1987 and had three children. They divorced in 2004. She now has several grandchildren.

Ley lives in Albury, New South Wales. She is a vegetarian. She supports the Sydney Swans Australian rules football team.

Her mother, Angele Braybrooks, passed away in May 2025. This was just four days after Ley was elected as the Leader of the Opposition.

Images for kids

  • SL - Speaking

    Sussan Ley speaking in 2011

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