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A leading Liberal senator has criticised Sussan Ley for not backing Jacinta Nampijinpa Price over her controversial immigration comments, as Coalition members expressed concern that continued focus on Ley's leadership was interfering with attempts to win back voters.

Senator Sarah Henderson's public criticism of the Opposition Leader on Sunday comes amid mounting frustration within Liberal ranks that frontbencher Andrew Hastie's sudden resignation had also undermined the opposition's ability to scrutinise the government in parliament this week.