Arabic version: لي تتأمل رحلتها بالحافلة عبر أميركا

According to ABC News, former Coalition leader Sussan Ley travelled through the United States on Greyhound buses after being removed from the opposition leadership, describing the trip as a life-changing and eye-opening experience.

Ley, who led the Coalition for 276 days as its first female leader, travelled down Route 83, known as the “Road to Nowhere”. She said the journey, which had been a bucket-list ambition for more than two decades, gave her solitude, helped her find her voice and exposed her to people whose lives were in transition and disarray.

She said her fellow passengers included returning prisoners, nuns, veterans, people experiencing homelessness and assistance dogs. Ley said she was struck by the dignity and humanity of people she met, as well as what she described as a disconnect between overlooked Americans and political institutions.

Ley said her visit reinforced her support for multiculturalism in Australia. She said Australia had achieved multiculturalism by giving people space to belong rather than erasing differences, while she did not see communities “melting together” in the same way during her US travels.

After returning to Australia, Ley said she would not return to politics and considered that chapter closed. She said she was proud of what she achieved and hoped to contribute to public life in a way that benefits her grandchildren and helps make Australia better.