Mark Parton's Vision for a Unified Canberra Liberals
Mark Parton, the newly elected leader of the Canberra Liberals, along with his deputy Deborah Morris, expressed a strong commitment to uniting the party ahead of the 2028 election.
Commitment to Unity and Forward Focus
At a media briefing, Parton emphasized his frustration with internal party disputes, stating:
“I’m absolutely sick to death of having conversations about internal party matters because I can tell you that people out in the suburbs are not having those conversations.”
He stressed the importance of cohesion, adding,
“I am here, along with Deborah Morris, to get nine parliamentary members on the same train heading forward so that we can take on the government in 2028.”
Addressing Party Divisions
Parton acknowledged recent divisions within the party but credited former leaders Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson for stepping down, enabling a fresh start with a unity ticket. He offered his perspective on the cause of the splits:
“I think in recent months my party’s been divided by a line that separates people who hang on to shit and people who leave shit behind, and it is time to leave shit behind.”
Leadership and Media Strength
Known as the party’s best media performer, Parton has long been seen as leadership material, though he had previously lacked the necessary support or declined to run for the role.
Additional Context
Parton and Morris’s leadership marks a strategic effort to mend party rifts and present a united front against the government in the upcoming electoral contest.
Author's summary: Mark Parton's new leadership focuses on uniting the Canberra Liberals and moving past internal conflicts to strengthen their position for the 2028 election.