New Canberra Liberals Leader Pledges Unity
Mark Parton, a former radio presenter and moderate Liberal, has been unanimously elected as the new opposition leader of the Canberra Liberals. He resigned as Legislative Assembly Speaker following the leadership change.
Commitment to Overcome Party Turmoil
Mr. Parton declared it was time for the Canberra Liberals to "leave behind" internal conflicts, positioning himself as a unifying force within the party.
"I've been placed in this position as a unifier, and unify is what I will do."
The leadership shift came after Leanne Castley stepped down as opposition leader and Jeremy Hanson resigned as deputy leader. These departures followed Castley’s suspension of two party members less than two weeks earlier.
Focus on Moving Forward
Rejecting commentary on past conflicts, Parton emphasized the need to focus on the future and present a united front against 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 aims to align the nine parliamentary members and work alongside Deborah Morris to strengthen party unity.
"It is an absolute honour and a privilege to have been elected by my colleagues to lead the party."
Addressing Party Divisions
Parton acknowledged past divisions within the Liberal party, often marked by left-right tensions, and expressed his intent to move beyond them.
"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."
He is committed to guiding the party towards cohesion and preparation for future elections.