A former commercial radio host and race-caller has been elected the new leader of the ACT Liberal opposition after a dramatic day in territory politics.
Mark Parton was elevated to the role at a party-room meeting on Monday after former leader Leanne Castley and deputy Jeremy Hanson abruptly quit their positions.
The upheaval follows weeks of turmoil for the ACT opposition after Castley sensationally suspended two colleagues – including former leader Elizabeth Lee – from the Liberal party room after they crossed the floor to support a Greens motion to add an extra parliamentary sitting week to the 2026 calendar.
The decision reportedly sparked outrage among grassroots members, given the Liberal party has a long tradition of allowing backbenchers to cross the floor without fear of expulsion.
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Speaking to reporters on Monday, Parton – who has resigned as Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly to take up the leadership – called for an end to the infighting.
“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,” Parton said.
“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.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m here to provide an alternative to the people of Canberra, because God knows they need it.”
Parton said a motion was passed unanimously at Monday’s meeting to welcome Lee and fellow backbencher Peter Cain back into the party room. He expected the pair would play a “much greater role” under his leadership.
In a statement announcing her decision to quit, Castley did not explain the reasons for the dramatic move.
Castley replaced Lee as leader after last November’s ACT election loss – the party’s seventh consecutive defeat to Labor.
“To give the Canberra Liberals the best possible chance of success in the 2028 election, we have made the decision to step down from leadership,” Castley said in the statement.
“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.”
Parton is a colourful character in territory politics, having entered the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2016 following a long career in commercial radio.
He built a brand and a strong social media after posting videos of everyday life as a local Canberra politician.
The videos have landed him in trouble at times. In 2021, the then shadow transport spokesperson received a formal caution from police after livestreaming himself on TikTok while driving.
Parton also attracted headlines after “unwittingly” breaching Western Australia’s strict border restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
First-term MLA Deborah Morris will serve as Parton’s deputy.
Morris was media adviser to former leader Alistair Coe and spent time working for federal Liberal frontbencher James Paterson.
The Labor chief minister, Andrew Barr, acknowledged Castley and Hanson’s contribution and congratulated Parton on his new role.
“It is an honour to lead your party but also a significant responsibility,” he said.
“In the case of the Canberra Liberals, it also appears to be a significant challenge. With three former leaders sitting in his party room, Mr Parton will have no shortage of advice on how to do the job.”
