Leanne Castley | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Capital Territory | |
| Assumed office 31 October 2024 | |
| Deputy | Jeremy Hanson |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Lee |
| Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Capital Territory | |
| In office 4 December 2023 –31 October 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jeremy Hanson |
| Succeeded by | Jeremy Hanson |
| Member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly for Yerrabi | |
| Assumed office 17 October 2020 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1974 (age 50–51) [1] |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberals |
Leanne Castley (born 1974) is an Australian politician who has served as the leader of the Canberra Liberals since 2024. She is a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly,serving as one of five members for the Yerrabi electorate.
Castley ran for the 2019 Australian Federal Election as the Liberal Party candidate for the Division of Fenner and was unsuccessful. [2] Castley put her hand up for the 2020 Australian Capital Territory election and won one of the five seats in Yerrabi,replacing one of the incumbent Liberals James Milligan. [3] [4] Following her election Castley was immediately named as Assistant Shadow Minister for Economic Development,Assistant Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Projects,Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage,Shadow Minister for Water,Energy and Emissions Reduction,and Shadow Minister for Business as of part of Elizabeth Lee's new Shadow Cabinet. [5]
Castley was elected as Deputy Leader of the Opposition following a deputy leadership spill on 4 December 2023 replacing Jeremy Hanson. [6] After the Opposition shadow cabinet reshuffle on 7 December 2023,Castley gained the portfolios:Families,Youth and Community Services;Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence,as well as the assistant shadow portfolios:Women;and Arts. [7] These portfolios were added to her existing portfolios of Business;Health and Wellbeing.
Castley was elected as Liberal leader on 31 October 2024 after the party's seventh consecutive loss at the 2024 ACT election,defeating Lee in a leadership spill. [8]
Castley was born in the rural NSW town of Gunnedah,however grew up in the Canberra suburb of Charnwood. [9] In her inaugural speech Castley described herself as "just a chick from Charny" and a battler. [10] In her youth Castley often found herself at her grandparents sheep and cattle farm at Bookham,beyond Yass,mustering sheep and riding dirt bikes. [11]
Castley owned and operated a car yard business that failed during the 2008 financial crisis. [12]
Castley went on to work at an It Help Desk before gaining a Diploma in Project Management and working at AFP and the Department of Defence as a manager.
Castley is a country music singer that regularly performs at local pubs and clubs in Canberra,and has written her own album Perfect Day. [13]