SYDNEY, May 13, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Australia's conservative opposition picked Sussan Ley as its first woman leader on Tuesday, charting a fresh course after a humiliating election loss partly blamed on hardline Trump-esque policies.

The 63-year-old replaces former police officer Peter Dutton as leader of the conservative Liberal Party, which was trounced by left-leaning Labor in May 3 national elections.

Dutton's failure to win votes in Australia's cities -- and his deep unpopularity with women -- have been blamed as major factors in the election loss.

Ley, a former stock-mustering pilot who has spent more than 20 years in national politics, is seen as a more moderate voice within the right-leaning Liberal Party.

"We need to change. The Liberal Party must respect modern Australia," Ley said in the aftermath of the election drubbing.

She is the first woman to lead the Liberal Party at a national level in its 80-year history.

Ley was born "Susan" but changed to "Sussan" in her youth because it gave a better numerology reading -- an astrology-like belief that charts fate through letters and numbers.

Dutton cultivated a "hard man" image with tough talk on crime and immigration and a pledge to slash the public service.