The Weekend Australian also ran an article this week which stated that Ms Ley was emerging “as ‘pragmatic’ frontrunner for leader”, but on Wednesday night ran another saying her leadership is unlikely due to “scandals and setbacks”.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Nightly are reporting Ms Ley has the backing of “party elders” and “Liberal heavyweights”.
The Financial Review reports there is uncertainty about whether Mr Taylor will run at all as he is shouldering some blame for the poor election performance, and says Liberal moderates are pushing a joint ticket involving Ms Ley as leader and Ted O’Brien as shadow treasurer.
“Moderate sources said Ley, who was deputy to Dutton, should be leader,” the Financial Review reported on Wednesday.
“They are backing opposition energy and climate spokesman O’Brien, the architect of the failed nuclear power policy, as her shadow treasurer and possible deputy. Tehan is the other candidate for deputy.”
The leadership vote is not expected to be called until the election is declared, which may not be until next week.
On the Farrer front, election results have remained unchanged since Monday.
Ms Ley has 44 per cent of first preference votes, with independent Michelle Milthorpe second highest with 20.5 per cent and Labor candidate Glen Hyde in third with 15 per cent.
Counting in Farrer is not yet completed.
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