Castley had the credentials to appeal to many. Then she stepped in the piranha pond

Leanne Castley's Leadership Journey

Leanne Castley, once a promising country music singer known for her raw yet sweet voice, held interests in cars, motorbikes, and engines. Her public image suggested potential, but her leadership stint told a different story.

The Political Shift

Following the Canberra Liberals' seventh consecutive electoral loss in October, the party sought change. Elizabeth Lee was replaced, and Castley, along with her deputy Jeremy Hanson, took the helm.

“I am leader through to 2028,” she confidently declared.

Hopeful beginnings were marked by optimism and a fresh start for the party.

The Downfall

However, less than five years into her term, both Castley and Hanson resigned. The early promise gave way to challenges and unrest within the party ranks. After the election defeat, subtle signs of internal conflict emerged as Castley wavered in her support for her predecessor, revealing strained alliances.

“Too much time living underneath the clouds that only rain on me,” she sang in one of her compositions.
Reflection

Castley’s leadership failed to revive the party’s fortunes, and her inability to maintain clear allegiance weakened her position. Her journey reflects how quickly hope can fade when internal discord takes hold.

“What a perfect day-ay-ay, You can't take that away-ay-ay,” she once sang, a sentiment far from her political reality.

Summary: Leanne Castley’s leadership began with promise but ended in resignation amid party struggles and internal conflicts that overshadowed her early optimism.

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