Libs Leader Resigns Following Party Room Suspensions
Leanne Castley stepped down as ACT opposition leader less than two weeks after suspending two Liberals from the party room for crossing the floor, escalating tensions within the opposition.
Background of the Conflict
On October 28, Ms. Castley announced the suspension of her predecessor Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain from the Canberra Liberals party room. This move sparked growing unrest among members for nearly two weeks.
Leadership Resignation
Ms. Castley and her deputy Jeremy Hanson declared they had resigned from their leadership roles to help the party succeed in 2028. They made this announcement in a joint statement on Monday morning:
"A vote will be held to elect a new leadership team, and neither of us will be contesting any leadership positions. We extend our full support and best wishes to those who will take on these important roles."
"In the spirit of ensuring a genuine fresh start for the new team, we will not be commenting publicly on the circumstances that have led to this decision."
Historical Context
After serving 375 days, Ms. Castley becomes the ACT's second-shortest opposition leader, with Craig Duby holding the record at just 6.5 hours.
A party room vote to elect new leadership is planned for Monday.
Summary
Ms. Castley's resignation highlights ongoing divisions within the ACT Liberals ahead of the 2028 election, signaling a desire for renewal in the party's leadership.