The news first.
Andrew Hastie has been given the blessing of his young family to enter the Liberal leadership race, as conservative powerbrokers lean towards backing the 43-year-old to replace Sussan Ley.
Just hours after likely leadership rival Angus Taylor returned from overseas, sources close to Mr Hastie confirmed that the West Australian MP had discussed the implications of taking up the job with his wife, Ruth, and who said she was “fully supportive” of him.
