Mark Parton elected new leader of the 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 decision follows the resignations of Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson from their respective leadership roles earlier today.

In a Liberals Party Room meeting, both Ms. Castley and Mr. Hanson chose not to stand for re-election, saying their decision was aimed at giving the party “the best possible chance of success in the 2028 election.”

Leadership Transition

Mark Parton, elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2016, and Deborah Morris, who joined the Assembly last year, formally accepted their new positions after unanimous support from colleagues.

“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,” said Mr Parton.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining unity within the party:

“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.”

Assembly Changes

Following his election as leader, Mr. Parton resigned his position as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. A new Speaker will be elected in December. In the meantime, ACT Greens MLA Andrew Braddock will serve as Deputy Speaker.

Leanne Castley had led the Canberra Liberals since late 2024, succeeding Elizabeth Lee after the October 2024 election.

Author’s Summary

Mark Parton succeeds Leanne Castley as Canberra Liberals leader, promising unity and a renewed focus on building an effective alternative government for the ACT.

Canberra Daily — 2025-11-10