Sussan Ley is determined to "do things differently" as the Liberal Party's first female leader.
Ley said she felt "humbled and honoured" that her colleagues had elected her to replace Peter Dutton in Tuesday morning's party room meeting.
The mother-of-three won the leadership ballot 29 to 25 against former Opposition Treasury spokesperson Angus Taylor.
Ley said she felt "optimistic" about rebuilding the party alongside her deputy Ted O'Brien.
'I want to do things differently'
"We have to have a Liberal Party that respects modern Australia, that reflects modern Australia, and that represents modern Australia," Ley said in her first press conference as Opposition leader.
"I want to do things differently, and we have to have a fresh approach."
She said she would harness the talents of the party room to develop a "clear" and "articulate policy agenda" for Australians.
Ley — who has represented the seat of Farrer in regional NSW since 2001 — hopes to "meet modern Australia" where it is, appealing to voters the Coalition has lost.
When asked if the Coalition would pursue its nuclear agenda following its election loss, Ley said she would consult her colleagues instead of making "captain's calls".
She committed to reviewing the Coalition's election platform and said energy policy will be part of this review.
Ley admitted the Coalition had "let women down" and is determined to connect and listen "to where we went wrong".
"There is no doubt about that, and that is true, the number of women that are supporting us is declining, and I want to rule the line under that," she said.
"I do say it sends a signal to the women of Australia that the Liberal Party has elected its first woman leader, but my agenda is much more than that."
O'Brien — from the Sunshine Coast — said he was "delighted" to serve under Ley as deputy, beating Phil Thompson 38 to 16.
He said Liberal Party values have the "capacity to unite the nation".
"As we do rebuild as a party, we will hold a very bad Labor government to account," he said.
"While also rebuilding in a way that sees us with a values-led, future-focused and economically driven agenda, anchored to a positive and clear vision for our nation's future."
Taylor urges 'unity' after losing leadership spill
Taylor failed to garner sufficient support in his bid as leader, after stressing his record on economic management and pitching himself as having the ability to "unite" the party.
Former Opposition Treasury spokesperson Angus Taylor has urged unity after Sussan Ley was elected as party leader. Source: AAP / Dan Himbrechts
"Sussan has led a remarkable life and becoming the first woman to lead the Liberal Party is a milestone for Sussan and our party," he said.
Taylor urged the party to unite behind her, stating he intended to contribute to the party's efforts to hold the Albanese government to account.
"This result shows we must do more to convince Australians that the Coalition is the best party to support aspiration, economic opportunity, and the Australian dream," he said.
"We must do better and we must unify."
Sussan Ley said Angus Taylor will play an "integral role" in the party going forward. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas
"He's an intelligent, talented contributor to so many ideas, initiatives, and what we need to do as a Liberal Party going forward," she said.
Liberal Party says it's 'listened' to the public
Outgoing Liberal senator Linda Reynolds said she was "delighted with the result" as she left the party room meeting.
"Australia spoke very clearly to the Liberal Party. We've listened and we've acted. And we're united," she said.
The Coalition has been reduced to at least 42 seats, with three still too close to call, following Labor's historic win.
Ley has ascended to the leadership role after holding cabinet roles in the Abbott government, the Turnbull government and the Morrison government.
O'Brien, who was appointed Dutton's climate change and energy spokesperson in 2022, is known as the Coalition's nuclear proposal architect.
Fisher MP Andrew Wallace has praised his elevation to the deputy role.
"He's demonstrated his ability for sheer hard work.
"Ted is a very intelligent man, an incredibly hard worker. And, you know, he will play a very, very important role in helping to rebuild the Liberal Party."
