Sussan Ley has triggered a by-election in the NSW electorate she's represented for 25 years, after she handed in her resignation on Friday morning and announced she won't return to parliament.
Just two weeks ago, Ley was ousted by Angus Taylor in a Liberal Party leadership spill, which Ley lost by 17 to 34 votes.
Following the vote, Ley announced she intended to leave parliament.
"I look forward to stepping away completely and comprehensively from public life, to spend time with my family," she said at that time.
In a statement released this morning, she said she would not return to parliament for a valedictory speech (a formal farewell address).
"I am confident that my efforts and achievements over 25 years will speak for themselves; as a local member, minister in four Coalition governments and leader of the Liberal Party, as well as in the minds of the many people whose lives touched mine along the way."
Ley was the first female leader of the Liberal Party and the Opposition.
Having become the first woman to lead not just the federal Liberal Party, but any federal Opposition, was "a milestone for all women to be proud of," she wrote in her statement today.
"I hope I have paved the way for the next woman to be elected to, and succeed in, both these roles."
"After the Liberal Party suffered our worst defeat in 81 years, it was with gratitude and humility that I took on the role of leader of our party."
Liberal representative 'vital' for Farrer
Ley has represented the south-west NSW seat of Farrer since 2001, following the retirement of the electorate's previous representative, National Party MP Tim Fischer.
"Naturally, I am sad to no longer represent my electorate of Farrer," Ley said.
"The people and their stories will always be with me. Farming families battling fires, dust storms, drought and low irrigation allocations; small business owners breathing activity into quiet streets and local volunteers asking for so little but doing so much."
Ley said it's vital a Liberal member is elected in the by-election, as it's "vital for the betterment and ongoing strength of our region".
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