By James Glynn
SYDNEY--Australia's conservative Liberal Party voted Friday to oust leader Sussan Ley after less a year in the top job, choosing instead Angus Taylor, the opposition defence minister.
A ballot by Liberal federal parliamentary members gave Taylor an endorsement of 34 votes to 17 for Ley.
The dumping of Ley comes as polls show that support for Liberal Party has plunged in recent months as the popularity of the One Nation party, led by Senator Pauline Hanson, has surged.
Some political commentators have described the loss of support for the Liberals as an "existential threat" to its future.
Recent polls shows One Nation commanding a primary vote of around 27%, well ahead of the Liberals, and just short of the ruling Labor Party's support.
Ley told reporters after her loss that she will soon resign from parliament, forcing a by-election in coming months in her seat in the House of Representatives.
One Nation has confirmed it will contest the seat.
Taylor's win was welcomed by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who said in an interview on Sky News that Taylor would bring strong leadership, and that a win at the next federal election was achievable.
-Write to James Glynn at james.glynn@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
02-12-26 1937ET
