After Victoria, NSW Liberal Party Also Loses Leader

Former TV presenter Kellie Sloane is expected to have the numbers within the moderate dominated party room to take the leadership.

NSW former Opposition Leader Mark Speakman speaks to the media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia on March 31, 2020. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

New South Wales Liberal leader Mark Speakman has resigned, just days after the Victorian Liberals replaced their leader.

The moderate faction Speakman has now thrown his support behind Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane to succeed him in the top job.

He was originally confident of staying on as leader, but changed his mind once it became clear he had lost support.

“By this afternoon it was clear that there was at least one person who had declared to me that she wished to be leader of the Liberal Party. And a number of colleagues had indicated to me their preference that we have renewal and regeneration and a new leader,” Speakman told a press conference on Nov. 20.

Speakman also said he was not getting “clean air” or “oxygen” to present his case to the public.

“Look it’s unfortunate that some colleagues don’t have the courage to out themselves when they make negative comments. A team that wins the next election has to be one that is disciplined, focused, and united,” Speakman said.

He implored his colleagues to “get behind Kellie Sloane.”

Speakman said the position had been both extraordinarily difficult and a privilege.

“Very few people in New South Wales (NSW) ever get to be a leader of a major party,” he said.

“Politics is not easy, politics is rough, politics is brutal, politics is savage. You know that when you become a first term opposition leader,” Speakman said, noting that no first-term opposition leader had won power in NSW since the 1930s.

Sloane Confirms Nomination

Sloane released a statement confirming she would nominate for the leadership at the next meeting on Nov. 21.

“I have enormous respect for Mark and thank him for his leadership of our party. I appreciate his endorsement of me this evening,” Sloane said.

Sloane, originally from South Australia, is a former media personality who co-hosted Today  at one stage. And like her Victorian counterpart Jess Wilson, Sloane is also a first-termer, only entering parliament as the Member for Vaucluse in the 2023 state election.

She’s been an advocate for the Jewish community and recently quit X after receiving threats to “shut up and die” after condemning a Neo-Nazi rally. Sloane has also fought against high rise developments in her electorate.

Sloan is also from the moderate faction and likely has the numbers to secure the leadership within the party room.

Alistair Henskens, from the right faction, has been touted as another possible contender. At the time of writing it is unclear if Henskens will stand.

The next leader will challenge Labor Premier Chris Minns for the March 2027 state election, while the party tries to maintain a hold on its inner-city and outer suburban seats—the latter faces a challenge from a resurgent One Nation.

Meanwhile, Speakman expressed confidence in the Liberal Party’s future.

“People say that the Liberal Party is at a crossroads, people are asking where are we going? What do we stand for? Will we survive? I believe we will, and we can and we must. The stakes are too high,” he said.