Coalition right-wingers have ruled out a challenge to Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s leadership this year after potential rival Andrew Hastie quit the frontbench to free himself up and pen a manifesto on his vision to regenerate conservative politics. The self-described leadership aspirant made clear on Saturday that his shock exit from the shadow cabinet announced on Friday evening was not about tearing down Ley – a claim his confidantes privately verified. Although Hastie said an imminent leadership push was not his intent, the Perth-based former soldier will move to the backbench to read widely, generate ideas and put together a text on his vision for the party as conservatives across the West face existential threats from populists and grapple with debates on migration and energy. Andrew Hastie at a press conference in Kings Park, Perth, on Saturday. Credit: Colin Murty“There’s no challenge to Sussan – I support Sussan,” Hastie said in Perth, arguing to give Ley “clear air” for a 2028 election he said the party could, in fact, win.