New Opposition Leader Vows to Unite Canberra Liberals
Mark Parton, a former radio presenter and moderate Liberal, has been unanimously elected as the new leader of the Canberra Liberals, pledging to unify the party amid recent turmoil. He described his role as a unifying force, stating his commitment to leaving internal conflicts behind.
"I've been placed in this position as a unifier, and unify is what I will do," said Mr. Parton.
Following his election, Mr. Parton resigned as Legislative Assembly Speaker. His leadership comes after Leanne Castley resigned as opposition leader and Jeremy Hanson stepped down as deputy leader, less than two weeks after Castley suspended two party members.
Mr. Parton expressed frustration with ongoing internal disputes, emphasizing that such issues do not concern the broader public. He aims to bring the nine parliamentary members together to 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."
"I am here, along with Deborah Morris, to get nine parliamentary members on the same train heading forward so that we can take on the government in 2028."
Mr. Parton declined to comment on the circumstances leading to the leadership changes, focusing instead on moving the party forward. He acknowledged past divisions within the party, often marked by ideological splits between left and right.
"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."
Author's Summary
Mark Parton takes the helm of the Canberra Liberals promising to heal internal divisions and lead the party forward toward the 2028 election with a unified team.