Former federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has formally resigned from parliament and fired a subtle swipe at her successor Angus Taylor.
It comes two weeks after she was ousted as Coalition leader in the wake of party in-fighting and plummeting support in the polls.
Immediately after the leadership spill, Ley announced that she would walk away from politics, sparking an upcoming by-election for her NSW-based seat of Farrer.
'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. I was elected by my parliamentary colleagues and I thank them once again for the opportunity to serve,' she said on Friday.
'I believe my election as the first woman to ever lead not just the Federal Liberal Party, but any Federal Opposition, is a milestone for all women to be proud of.
She also made reference to the 're-adoption' of her policies, following Taylor's release of his ISIS brides plans, which Ley had already announced weeks earlier - in what appeared to be a veiled swipe at her successor.
'It will be for commentators and historians to measure the period of my leadership, but I am proud that we were instrumental in establishing a Commonwealth Royal Commission into Antisemitism and that we set clear directions on several key policy areas in tax, industrial relations, energy, national security, and families,' she added.
Former Opposition leader Sussan Ley formally resigned from parliament on Friday
Ley's resignation included a thinly veiled swipe at successor Angus Taylor (pictured)
'I welcome the Coalition's immediate re-adoption of many of these directions and policies in recent days and weeks.
'Australia is best served by Coalition governments and I particularly wish every one of my now former colleagues well as they work diligently and determinedly to win government.'
Under Ley's leadership, support for the Liberal-National Coalition plunged to a record low, as support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation dramatically increased.
The upcoming Farrer by-election is expected to be a hotly contested four-way race.
The Liberals, Nationals, One Nation and independent Michelle Milthorpe hope to win Ley's seat once a by-election date is called. It is expected to be held before the Federal Budget in May.
The by-election is already shaping up to be the first major test of Taylor's leadership.
The regional seat of Farrer has always been held by either the Liberals or the Nationals since it was established in 1949.
'At every one of the 30 elections since, through different and challenging circumstances, it has been held without exception by the Liberal Party (for 60 years) and the National Party (for 17 years),' Ley continued.
'The electorate has always been bigger than any one individual and has always been well-served by the Liberal Party.
Angus Taylor replaced Sussan Ley as Opposition Leader a fortnight ago after months of party in-fighting
'The election of a Liberal member in the Farrer by-election is vital for the betterment and ongoing strength of our region and I know that Angus Taylor can and will ensure the party continues to enjoy the support, trust and confidence of the people of Farrer.'
It’s understood Ley left $250,000 in campaign accounts to help the new Liberal candidate retain the seat.
One senior Liberal source claimed that Ley had not been heard from since the leadership spill a fortnight ago and had not reached out to any of the local party membership.
Ley added that she will not return for a valedictory speech when parliament resumes next week as she reflected on her time in politics.
'I am confident that my efforts and achievements over 25 years will speak for themselves,' she said.
'I will be spending the next couple of weeks thanking the amazing people of Farrer and expressing my gratitude to them for the honour of representing them for 25 years.
'I’m not sure what comes next for me. I look forward to stepping away completely and comprehensively from public life, to spend time with my family, to reconnect with my enduring passion, aviation, which taught me if I had an ego I’d be dead. It’s been quite useful in politics.'
