Background
Following the Canberra Liberal's seventh consecutive loss at the 2024 Australian Capital Territory election, then leader Elizabeth Lee was spilled and a leadership election was held in which Leanne Castley was elected leader and Jeremy Hanson deputy leader of the party. [1] [2]
On 19 June 2025, Peter Cain resigned from the Shadow Cabinet and moved to the backbench saying that he could no longer support the current leadership. [3] [4] [5]
On 28 October 2025, backbenchers Peter Cain and Elizabeth Lee crossed the floor to vote with the crossbench in favour of a motion to keep the number of sitting weeks at 13 for 2026, rather than reducing it to 12 as was supported by both Labor and the Liberal party room. Following this, Castley unilaterally removed the two backbenchers from the Liberal party room despite precedent and a previously stated commitment to following this precedent that allows Liberal backbenchers to cross the floor. [6]
On 10 November 2025 both Leanne Castley and deputy leader Jeremy Hanson announced they would resign from their leadership positions and not seek to recontest. A leadership election was held later that day and Mark Parton was elected leader unanimously. Deborah Morris was elected deputy, also unanimously. [7]
On 2 December, Jeremy Hanson was elected to the vacant Speakership replacing Deputy Speaker Andrew Braddock who had been acting leader since Parton became Leader of the Opposition. [8] [9]
On 4 December, Parton announced the new composition of his shadow cabinet, returning Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain to the ministry and having no backbenchers. [10] [11] [12] [13]
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