Former Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley has resigned from the party and will join the crossbench, sitting as an independent for the rest of the term.<\/p>\n
In a statement, she said she has “simply had enough of being part of an organisation with such a toxic culture”.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“In the last 18 months, I have experienced bullying, intimidation, lies, and even a threat of physical assault,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I can no longer be part of an organisation which tolerates this conduct.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This morning, Ms Castley told 666 ABC Canberra that the bullying, toxicity and “constant undermining” had been prevalent since she was first elected to the leadership in 2024.<\/p>\n
She would also not be drawn on naming names, but confirmed she had referred the matter of physical violence to the party.<\/p>\n
“It’s not one person, not one issue, it’s been an 18-month campaign,” she said.<\/p>\n
She said the decision to leave the party was difficult, but “the right one for me and for Yerrabi”.<\/p>\n
“It’s time,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It’s time to just let it go, move forward, and do what I’ve been elected to do.<\/p>\n
“The people of Yerrabi deserve my full focus.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Ms Castley cited the recent introduction of coercive control legislation <\/a>as something she was proud of.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“That’s what the community wants to see from its politicians and that’s what I want to spend my time on,” she said.<\/p>\n
A year as Canberra Liberals leader<\/p>\n
Just seven months ago Ms Castley stepped down from the Canberra Liberals leadership<\/a>, with Mark Parton elected the new leader in November 2025.<\/p>\n
Deputy leader Jeremy Hanson also stepped down from his position, and Deborah Morris was appointed the new deputy leader.<\/p>\n
Ms Castley and Mr Hanson took over as leader and deputy <\/a>in October 2024, in the wake of Labor’s seventh-straight election victory.<\/p>\n
But Ms Castley drew criticism over a series of decisions while in leadership which saw Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain shut out of decision-making<\/a> before being “suspended indefinitely” from the party room after they crossed the floor <\/a>during a vote about sitting weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their suspension was later revoked by Mr Parton.<\/p>\n
Ms Castley was the ACT’s second-shortest serving opposition leader.<\/p>\n
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