Northern Territory senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price announced on Sunday she will join leadership contender Angus Taylor's ticket and run as his deputy, just days after jumping ship from the Nationals.
The duo will battle current deputy leader Sussan Ley, who pushed her case in video clips released to media to try and build support for her candidacy.
Ms Ley, who was former leader Peter Dutton's No.2 for the coalition's shellacking at the May 3 election, said she was humbled by the "overwhelming support" she had received in the lead-up to the partyroom meeting.
"My election as leader of the Liberal Party would send a very strong signal that we understand that things must be done differently," she said.
"We will develop strong policy offerings through robust partyroom processes so we can demonstrate we will deliver better outcomes for all Australians."
Ahead of Tuesday's vote, Senator Nampijinpa Price posted a video on social media alongside Mr Taylor and claimed the party was in a good position to "come back strong".
"We have such passion for this country, for our party and for our coalition as a whole," she said.
"That's what I think Australians need to understand, that we're a team that's prepared to get out and fight."
Liberal senator Dave Sharma welcomed Senator Nampijinpa Price into the major coalition party, while acknowledging the Nationals may feel aggrieved by her defection.
"If she's been accepted into the Liberal party room, any of us can put our hands up as deputy leader, and I think the party room will decide that," Senator Sharma told Sky News.
Ms Ley has the support of the party's moderates, with some believing a woman at the helm will help repair the party's negative image among female voters.
Colleagues have criticised Mr Taylor for failing to present detailed economic policy as shadow treasurer during the election campaign.
Senator Nampijinpa Price has been accused of stoking culture wars, highlighted by her comment to "make Australia great again" during the campaign, evoking US President Donald Trump's rhetoric.
Former Liberal MP Jason Falinski lobbed another name into the mix, suggesting Tim Wilson should be leader after reclaiming his seat after losing to a teal independent at the 2022 election.
"He is the type of person who can ... tell the people we may be fewer in numbers, but we have the vision, the values and the principles that they have been looking for," he wrote in the Australian Financial Review.
The Nationals also face a leadership skirmish after Senator Matt Canavan threw his hat in the ring to spill incumbent David Littleproud from the top role.
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