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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The upheaval follows weeks of turmoil for the ACT opposition after Castley sensationally suspended <\/a>two colleagues \u2013 including former leader Elizabeth Lee \u2013 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.<\/p>\n The decision reportedly <\/a>sparked outrage among grassroots members, given the Liberal party has a long tradition of allowing backbenchers to cross the floor without fear of expulsion.<\/p>\n Sign up: AU Breaking News emai<\/a>l<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters on Monday, Parton \u2013 who has resigned as Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly to take up the leadership \u2013 called for an end to the infighting.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d Parton said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think in recent months my party\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here. I\u2019m here to provide an alternative to the people of Canberra, because God knows they need it.\u201d<\/p>\n Parton said a motion was passed unanimously at Monday\u2019s meeting to welcome Lee and fellow backbencher Peter Cain back into the party room. He expected the pair would play a \u201cmuch greater role\u201d under his leadership.<\/p>\n In a statement announcing her decision to quit, Castley did not explain the reasons for the dramatic move.<\/p>\n Castley replaced Lee as leader after last November\u2019s ACT election loss \u2013 the party\u2019s seventh consecutive defeat to Labor.<\/p>\n \u201cTo give the Canberra Liberals the best possible chance of success in the 2028 election, we have made the decision to step down from leadership,\u201d Castley said in the statement.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Parton is a colourful character in territory politics, having entered the ACT Legislative Assembly in 2016 following a long career in commercial radio.<\/p>\n He built a brand and a strong social media after posting videos of everyday life as a local Canberra politician.<\/p>\n The videos have landed him in trouble at times. In 2021, the then shadow transport spokesperson <\/a>received a formal caution from police after livestreaming himself on TikTok while driving.<\/p>\n