Sussan Ley, initially aspiring to be a pilot, faced gender barriers in the aviation industry. She transitioned to air traffic control before working as a bush pilot in Queensland. This experience led her to meet her husband and settle on a Victorian farm.
Ley's interest in politics grew while raising her children and running a small business. She joined the Liberal Party, winning her first election in 2001. Her career involved various ministerial roles under different prime ministers. In 2017, she resigned from the frontbench due to an expense scandal but returned to cabinet in 2019 and became deputy leader in 2022.
Ley's current leadership bid aims to help the Liberal Party regain lost ground, particularly the seats won by teal independents. The article highlights the challenges she faces.