A cabal of male Liberals signals Ley’s reign is ending. But the day of a colleague’s memorial is obscene timing

As images of a secret meeting were splashed all over the media, it became clear the internal plot to oust the leader has descended into political melodrama

The images of a cabal of rightwing Liberal men gathering for clandestine talks to overthrow the party's first female leader - hours before a memorial service for a late former colleague, no less - confirmed two things.

First, the internal plot to oust Sussan Ley has descended into a political melodrama.