Mark Parton Elected Leader of Canberra Liberals
Mark Parton MLA has been chosen as the new Leader of the Canberra Liberals, with Deborah Morris MLA appointed as Deputy Leader. The previous leader, Leanne Castley, and deputy leader, Jeremy Hanson, resigned earlier today to improve the party's chances in the 2028 election.
Leadership Transition
At a Liberals Party Room meeting, neither Castley nor Hanson ran for leadership positions. Parton, who has been in the Legislative Assembly since 2016, and Morris, elected last year, assumed their new roles.
Mark Parton stated, “With support from all elected members, I can announce that I have accepted the position.”
He expressed gratitude to Castley and Hanson for their efforts over the past year and emphasized the importance of unity within the party.
“It’s vital that we continue to strengthen the cohesion within our Party,” Parton said. “By encouraging open dialogue, valuing diverse perspectives, and finding common ground, we can reinforce our shared purpose. Our priority remains clear: continue building an alternative government that delivers for the ACT.”
Assembly Roles
Following his election as leader, Parton resigned as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. A new Speaker is expected to be selected in December, with ACT Greens MLA Andrew Braddock serving as Deputy Speaker in the interim.
Leanne Castley had become leader of the Liberals after the October 2024 election, replacing Elizabeth Lee.
Summary: Mark Parton and Deborah Morris have taken over leadership of the Canberra Liberals, aiming to unify the party and strengthen their position for the 2028 election.