Retiring Tasmanian Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam played a key role in toppling Sussan Ley and replacing her with Angus Taylor as Federal Opposition Leader at the start of the year.

He’s now revealed to 7NEWS podcast The Issue that he regrets one aspect of how it happened.

Senator Duniam attended a secret meeting at a private residence in Melbourne on January 29 with key Liberal conservative faction figures - including then leadership contenders Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor – Senators James Paterson and Matt O’Sullivan – plus former MP Michael Sukkar.

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The now infamous meeting took place hours before a memorial service for former Liberal MP Katie Allen.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the time said it was “astonishing” that the factional meeting had taken place on the same day.

Duniam also now laments the timing.

Senator Jonno Duniam. Credit: 7NEWS

Sussan Ley was toppled by her colleagues. Credit: AAP

“That is a source of regret for me personally,” Duniam admitted to The Issue podcast.

“The rest is history. We had a leadership change. It was necessary. It was not easy to do.

The Andrew Hastie factor

Duniam is close friends with Angus Taylor and his main leadership contender Andrew Hastie.

“Angus Taylor will be an excellent contender for winning the next election,” he said.

Duniam has played down any chance of Taylor being rolled before the next election, despite continued poor polling.

The latest Guardian Essential poll had Labor on 29 per cent primary vote, One Nation on 25 per cent and the Coalition on 22 per cent.

But the Tasmanian would support a Hastie push to become PM after the next election or once Taylor moves on.

“I know that Andrew is a thousand percent behind Angus,” Duniam said.

“One day, down the track, after the next election, maybe that will be different. Maybe he’ll want to put his hand up. That’s something you’d have to ask him.

“If that’s a choice he made, then that’s something I would be personally and privately back in because he is a great Australian.”

Duniam also says Hastie would be a “great replacement” for him as Shadow Home Affairs Minister but ultimately it is a decision for the Opposition Leader.

Why Jonno Duniam is leaving politics at 43

The upcoming sitting week is likely Duniam’s last as a Senator after he announced his retirement from federal politics back in June.

He denies he’s planning a switch to Tasmanian politics or is quitting because of a possible One Nation wipeout at the 2028 election.

The chance to spend more time with his wife and three sons is the reason why the 43-year-old is leaving the profession before reaching his peak.

“My wife, of course, she’s had to bear the brunt on her own,” Duniam said.

Duniam has backed Andrew Hastie as a future PM. Credit: Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images

“I wasn’t there wasn’t there to deal with some of the issues that confronted our family like any other family - problems at school, problems at home, whatever they might be.

“I’ve taken this job seriously, I’ve given it all I have had and I don’t look back and think, gee, I wish I’d have done more or could have done something better or differently.”

Duniam intends to work in the private sector offering consulting services between government, business and the community.

You can catch more of The Issue on Listnr or watch full episodes on our YouTube channel.