Australia politics live: Tim Wilson ‘not interested’ in deputy role as Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley prepare for Liberal leadership spill

now 21.06 GMT Liberals deny gender issue in rolling of Ley They’re turning up to the doors thick and fast now, and Phil Thompson, an Angus Taylor ally who took the spill motion request to Sussan Ley yesterday, denies that there’s a gender issue in dumping the party’s first female leader. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Thompson says Ley had enough time in the job and that the party needs to form policy. The people that talk to me in Townsville don’t raise a gender issue, they raise their competency. And they want to see strong leadership. They want to see us take up the fight to Labor. It’s understood Ley had a migration policy that was delayed due to the Bondi terror attack, but Thompson says he never saw it. Asked how quickly Taylor will have to start making policy announcements, Thompson says: I think Angus’ feet are under the desk. He’s been in this place for a while. He understands what it takes to lead. He’s been in senior positions in government. He’s held senior positions in opposition. I think he’ll move quite quickly. Share

14m ago 20.52 GMT ‘I’m standing loyally by Sussan’ The Queensland senator Paul Scarr remains a loyal soldier to the embattled Sussan Ley, appearing on ABC News Breakfast this morning and saying again that she wasn’t given enough time. He agrees with Jane Hume though that no matter what the outcome the party must unite behind whoever is elected as leader. Asked whether it’s a fait accompli for Angus Taylor, Scarr says somewhat solemnly: I think it’s going to be a very close result today. I’m standing loyally by Sussan, and I will continue to do so. I think she’s earned that support, and she’ll continue to have that support from me up to the party room He’s also asked what impact the decision to roll the Liberal party’s first female leader will have on female voters. He doesn’t directly answer the question but does say he wants to see more women and more multicultural voters in the party: I think we need more women standing as candidates for the Liberal party.