Can the self-proclaimed great unifier stick the Liberals back together?

Can the Self-Proclaimed Great Unifier Stick the Liberals Back Together?

Mark Parton will need to rely on his ability to steer clear of ideological conflicts. He appears to be the best hope for reuniting the fractured Canberra Liberals.

After an unusual 13 days marked by political uncertainty, Mr. Parton emerged with his characteristic enthusiasm and friendliness, following what seemed like a carefully arranged departure. Leanne Castley resigned, ending the second-shortest term as opposition leader, less than two weeks after suspending two Liberals from the party room. Her deputy, Jeremy Hanson, resigned alongside her. Neither made any public statements.

A quiet week from the Liberals hinted that important discussions were happening behind the scenes during this political crisis. The resignation came after the fallout from suspending two backbenchers for crossing the floor—an old Liberal custom. It became clear that Ms. Castley’s leadership was no longer sustainable.

"I'm here to provide an alternative to the people of Canberra, because God knows they need it. And given the unanimous support in party room for this ticket that stands before you, I'm supremely confident that we can do that," said Mr. Parton on Monday, calling himself the great unifier and urging his party to "leave shit behind."

Mark Parton now faces the challenge of healing party divisions and offering a credible alternative to Canberra voters.

Would you like the summary to be more formal or casual?

more

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

More News