Mark Parton elected new leader of the Canberra Liberals

Mark Parton Elected Leader of Canberra Liberals

Mark Parton MLA was elected Leader of the Canberra Liberals, with Deborah Morris MLA as Deputy Leader. This leadership change followed the resignation of former leader Leanne Castley and deputy leader Jeremy Hanson earlier today.

Leadership Transition

Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson stepped down to give the party "the best possible chance of success in the 2028 election." A Liberals Party Room meeting was held to elect the new leadership, where neither Castley nor Hanson ran for the positions.

Background of New Leaders

Mark Parton was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2016.
Deborah Morris joined the Assembly last year.

Statements from Mark Parton

“With support from all elected members, I can announce that I have accepted the position.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson for their work over the last 12 months.”

“It’s vital that we continue to strengthen the cohesion within our Party. 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.”

Additional Changes

Mark Parton resigned as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. A new Speaker will be elected in December, while ACT Greens MLA Andrew Braddock will serve as Deputy Speaker until then.

Leanne Castley had been elected leader after the October 2024 election, succeeding Elizabeth Lee.

Summary

Mark Parton's election marks a strategic shift aimed at strengthening Canberra Liberals' unity and positioning for the 2028 election.

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Canberra Daily — 2025-11-10