Moderate Liberal assumes leadership after party turmoil
A moderate figure within the Liberal Party has stepped up to lead one of its weakest branches after an internal crisis led to the resignation of both top officials. Mark Parton now heads the Canberra Liberals following the departure of Leanne Castley and her deputy Jeremy Hanson on Monday. Their decision, they said, was aimed at giving the party its best possible chance to return to government in 2028.
Leanne Castley had previously replaced former party leader Elizabeth Lee after the Liberals’ defeat in the 2024 election held in October.
“In the spirit of ensuring a genuine fresh start for the new team, we will not be commenting publicly on the circumstances that have led to this decision,”
Castley explained in her statement on Monday.
The Canberra Liberals have spent over twenty years out of power and are expected to mark 27 years in opposition by the time of the 2028 election. The deputy leadership role will now be filled by the more conservative Deborah Morris.
“It's vital that we continue to strengthen the cohesion within our party,”
Parton stated, adding that unity would come through
“encouraging open dialogue, valuing diverse perspectives, and finding common ground to reinforce our shared purpose.”
The Canberra branch has long faced accusations that its members are too conservative for the progressive political climate of the Australian Capital Territory, where it holds no federal seats.
Author’s Summary
Mark Parton’s appointment as leader signals a bid to reunite Canberra’s struggling Liberals ahead of the 2028 elections after years of internal strife and leadership shifts.