New Opposition Leader Pledges Unity for Canberra Liberals
Mark Parton, former radio presenter and moderate Liberal, has been unanimously elected as the new opposition leader for the Canberra Liberals. He resigned as Legislative Assembly Speaker to take on this role.
Commitment to Unifying the Party
"I've been placed in this position as a unifier, and unify is what I will do,"
Mr. Parton expressed his dedication to bringing the party together after a period of internal turmoil.
Leadership Changes Amid Party Turmoil
- Leanne Castley stepped down as opposition leader.
- Jeremy Hanson quit as deputy leader shortly after Ms. Castley suspended two party members.
Focus on Moving Forward
Addressing ongoing internal conflicts, Mr. Parton stated:
"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 emphasized his goal to unite the nine parliamentary members:
"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."
Refusing to Rehash Past Conflicts
Mr. Parton chose not to comment on the events leading to the leadership change, focusing instead on renewal:
"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 expressed gratitude for being elected leader:
"It is an absolute honour and a privilege to have been elected by my colleagues to lead the party."
Mark Parton's election signals a renewed emphasis on party unity and a forward-looking approach ahead of the 2028 election.
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