'Leave s--- behind': leader makes impassioned pledge to unify party in turmoil

New Leadership for Canberra Liberals

Mark Parton, a former radio presenter and moderate Liberal, has been unanimously elected as the new opposition leader for the Canberra Liberals. He stepped down from his role as Legislative Assembly Speaker to take on this position.

Commitment to Unity

Mr. Parton emphasized his goal to unify the party amid recent turmoil. He said:

I've been placed in this position as a unifier, and unify is what I will do.

He urged the party to move past internal conflicts, stating:

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.

Focus on the Future

Alongside Deborah Morris, Parton aims to bring the parliamentary members together to prepare for the 2028 government challenge:

So 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.

He considers it a privilege to lead the party:

It is an absolute honour and a privilege to have been elected by my colleagues to lead the party.
Background to Leadership Change

Mr. Parton avoided commenting on the circumstances behind the leadership changes, focusing instead on the party's future:

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.

Summary: Mark Parton steps up as Canberra Liberals' new leader, pledging to unify the party and focus on winning government in 2028 after a period of internal divisions.

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The Canberra Times The Canberra Times — 2025-11-10

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