Angus Taylor has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party, with Senator Jane Hume of Victoria selected as his deputy.
Senator Hume's election marks her as the first senator to hold the deputy leader position since 1990 and occurs nine months after her removal from the opposition front bench.
Upon her election, Hume stated her mission as deputy would be to ensure a "bright future" for the party, acknowledging that some individuals had "lost faith" in the party.
Leadership Election and Role
The Liberal Party elected Angus Taylor as its leader, succeeding Sussan Ley. Following this, Senator Jane Hume was elected Deputy Liberal Leader, surpassing three colleagues. She will assume the shadow portfolio covering employment, industrial relations, productivity, and deregulation, a role expected to position her significantly in the national economic debate.
Policy Stances and Party Strategy
Industrial Relations
Senator Hume expressed an aim to reform Australia's industrial relations system to benefit both employees and employers. Hume stated she would not revisit the "WorkChoices" policies, instead focusing on future job opportunities, workplace flexibility, and imagination in reform.
Childcare Policy
Hume advocated for restoring choice in childcare, rejecting what she characterized as a "one-size-fits-all" approach by the Labor Party, which she views as fostering "dependency." She emphasized encouraging innovation, aspiration, and rewarding effort to provide families with choices.
Party Strategy
Hume called for a bolder party strategy.
"The time for timidity is over."
She advocated for consistency and identified risk aversion in health and childcare policy as areas requiring genuine alternatives. Hume also stressed the importance of public engagement, stating:
"If you’re not going to step out in front of the media … and articulate your principles, there’s no point being here."
Background and Political Career
Born in Melbourne, 54-year-old Hume earned a commerce degree from Melbourne University. She spent two decades in the banking and superannuation sector, including roles at National Australia Bank, Rothschild, Deutsche Bank, and Australian Super, before entering politics in her 30s. Hume was elected to the Senate in 2016.
During the Morrison government, she served as Assistant Minister for Superannuation and Financial Services and later as Minister for Financial Services. Following the Coalition's 2022 defeat, Hume was appointed Shadow Minister for Finance and the Public Service. She also co-led the party's election review, which recommended targets for female Members of Parliament without proposing formal quotas. Hume had previously established a program to mentor young women interested in politics.
Previous Challenges and Demotion
In the period after the 2022 federal election, Senator Hume was not included in Sussan Ley's shadow ministry, a move that demoted her to the backbench. Hume described this as both professionally and personally difficult but also "liberating," as it allowed her to speak without strict adherence to the party line. She maintained a public profile through her appearances in Senate estimates hearings and undertook a study tour in the United Kingdom to engage with Conservatives involved in party rebuilding. Prior to her election as deputy, Hume had reportedly advocated for leadership change within the Liberal Party due to worsening polling results.
2022 Federal Election Incidents
During the 2022 federal election campaign, Hume was associated with two incidents that garnered scrutiny:
- She suggested that a Coalition government would expect all Australian Public Service members to work from the office five days a week, with limited exceptions. This proposal faced criticism and was subsequently abandoned by then-leader Peter Dutton, particularly due to concerns about its impact on women balancing career and family responsibilities. Hume later acknowledged this policy as a mistake.
- Hume suggested on live television that "Chinese spies" were volunteering for Labor. This comment spread on social media platforms and led to calls for an apology. Hume later described the comment as a "throwaway line" that was taken out of context and stated she had apologized to those offended.
Views on Party Unity and Female Representation
Senator Hume expressed the need for greater female representation in parliament across all parties, emphasizing the importance of women's voices in decision-making processes. However, she reaffirmed her rejection of quotas for female candidates within the Liberal Party, stating her belief that women in the party prefer to achieve their positions based on merit.
Regarding internal party dynamics, Hume stated:
"I believe the conservative-moderate divide in the Liberals is overblown."
She stressed principles such as lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, and economic management, aiming for party unity and improvement.