Mark Speakman resigned as NSW Opposition Leader on Thursday evening after days of mounting pressure from within the Liberal Party. The departure marks another blow for the embattled party less than 18 months out from a critical state election.
Speakman confirmed his resignation at a media conference on Thursday evening and endorsed Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane to replace him. The leadership ballot is scheduled for Friday.
The resignation came just hours after Speakman insisted he would fight to keep his position. That morning, he told 2GB Radio his political demise had been “grossly exaggerated” and challenged potential rivals to confront him directly.
A Sudden Reversal After Private Discussions
Speakman’s change of heart came after his moderate factional colleague Sloane met with him and declared her intentions to lead. Three Liberal MPs approached him Wednesday night, though he maintained he had not been formally “tapped on the shoulder“.
“She believed the interests of the party would be best served if she took the reins, and I have reluctantly agreed,” Speakman told reporters.
The departure reflects deeper tensions within the party. One Liberal MP, speaking anonymously, said replacing Speakman was necessary and that the party wanted to win government.
Mark Speakman announced his resignation as NSW Opposition Leader
Kellie Sloane: From News Anchor to Leadership Contender
Kellie Sloane is a former Nine Network television journalist who was elected to parliament in 2023 as the member for Vaucluse. She currently serves as Shadow Minister for Health.
Before entering politics, Sloane had a distinguished broadcasting career spanning nearly two decades:
- Started at ABC Radio before moving to television
- Worked as a presenter on Nine Network’s Nightline
- Briefly served as an interim co-host of Today in 2007
- Later became CEO of Life Education (Healthy Harold), Australia’s largest independent health education provider
Sloane confirmed she would nominate for the leadership role, saying she had “enormous respect for Mark” and appreciated his endorsement.
Support for her candidacy appears strong. One Liberal MP told media: “Kellie’s angels need to deliver now and I’m Team Kellie all the way.”
Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane is the leading contender for the NSW Liberal leadership
Alister Henskens Challenges from the Right
Former minister Alister Henskens is also contesting the leadership. Henskens has support from the right faction of the party, setting up a factional battle that will test the party’s unity.
The Liberal Party requires one-third of its sitting MPs to agree to a meeting before contenders can officially challenge for the position.
Second State Liberal Leader to Fall This Week
Speakman’s resignation makes him the second state Liberal leader to quit in three days. Earlier this week, Victoria’s Liberal opposition dumped Brad Battin as leader and installed first-term MP Jess Wilson.
The NSW Coalition has also experienced upheaval in the junior partner. The Nationals elected Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh as leader on Tuesday after Dugald Saunders’ shock resignation for family reasons.
Independent MP Rod Roberts described the unfolding leadership drama as resembling “Game of Thrones”. He cautioned that the Liberals needed to act swiftly to become an effective opposition.
Federal Infighting Damages State Brand
Speakman blamed turmoil within the federal Liberal Party for inflicting serious damage on the state branch’s reputation.
The NSW Liberals have committed to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050, in contrast to their counterparts in Canberra. This policy divide has created friction between state and federal wings.
“We’ve taken a lot of brand damage from the turmoil in Canberra since then, and our job is to make sure we get clean air,” Speakman said.
He encouraged his successor to make clear that NSW Liberals remain focused on state issues regardless of federal party chaos.
Pressure Mounts With Election Looming
Speakman was elevated to the party’s top job following the 2023 state election, where Premier Chris Minns took control of a minority Labor government. Polling suggests the Coalition has lost ground since that result.
The state election is scheduled for March 2027, giving the new leader less than 18 months to rebuild the party’s standing. The compressed timeline adds urgency to Friday’s leadership ballot.
During Thursday’s tense question time in parliament, Speakman appeared animated while Premier Chris Minns remained composed. The contrast highlighted the pressure mounting on the opposition leader.
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What Happens Next
The Liberal party room will meet Friday to determine the next leader. If Sloane wins, she would become the first female Liberal opposition leader in NSW history.
The victor faces significant challenges:
- Rebuilding party unity after a divisive leadership contest
- Differentiating NSW Liberals from troubled federal colleagues
- Developing compelling policies to challenge the Minns government
- Restoring voter confidence in the party’s ability to govern
Speakman indicated he would remain in politics and continue serving his electorate despite stepping down from the leadership role.
The leadership change comes during a turbulent period for conservative politics across Australia. The recent federal Coalition split and various state-level challenges have left the Liberal Party searching for direction and renewal.
