New Opposition Leader Promises Unity for Canberra Liberals
Mark Parton, a former radio presenter and moderate Liberal, has been unanimously elected as the new leader of the Canberra Liberals following recent leadership resignations. He pledged to unify the party amid a period of internal turmoil.
Leadership Changes and Party Challenges
Parton's elevation comes after Leanne Castley stepped down as opposition leader and Jeremy Hanson resigned as deputy leader, shortly after Castley suspended two party members. Parton also resigned from his position as Legislative Assembly Speaker to take on the leadership role.
Commitment to Unity and Forward Focus
"I've been placed in this position as a unifier, and unify is what I will do."
Parton expressed frustration with ongoing internal conflicts, emphasizing that such disputes do not reflect the concerns of suburban voters. Alongside Deborah Morris, he aims to bring the nine parliamentary members together to effectively challenge the government in 2028.
"I'm absolutely sick to death of having conversations about internal party matters, because I can tell you that people out in the suburbs are not having those conversations."
He refrained from commenting on the causes of recent leadership upheavals, focusing instead on healing divisions within the party. Parton acknowledged longstanding splits within the Liberals, particularly between left and right factions.
"I believe that in the past, my party has been divided. There's no question, as is the case with many political parties, my party's often been divided by a line that separates the left and the right."
Looking Ahead
Parton described it as both an honor and a privilege to lead the party forward, signaling his dedication to building unity and preparing Canberra Liberals for future electoral success.
Author's Summary
Mark Parton steps in as Canberra Liberals’ new leader with a firm resolve to unite the party and move beyond internal conflicts ahead of the 2028 elections.