Can the self-proclaimed great unifier stick the Liberals back together?

Can the Self-Proclaimed Great Unifier Stick the Liberals Back Together?

Mark Parton must rely on his ability to avoid ideological conflicts to reunite the fragmented Canberra Liberals. After 13 turbulent days in political uncertainty, he emerged with enthusiasm following what appeared to be a carefully arranged exit.

Leanne Castley resigned after serving the second-shortest period as opposition leader, just days after suspending two Liberals from the party room. Her deputy, Jeremy Hanson, also stepped down quietly, offering no public statements.

The Liberals experienced an uneventful week, hinting at behind-the-scenes negotiations during the political crisis. The silence likely indicated recognition that Castley's leadership was no longer viable after the controversial suspensions of two backbenchers who crossed the floor—an established Liberal practice.

On Monday, Parton positioned himself as the great unifier, urging members to "leave shit behind". He expressed confidence in offering Canberra an alternative, backed by unanimous party room support for his leadership team.

"I'm here to provide an alternative to the people of Canberra, because God knows they need it. And given the unanimous support in party room for this ticket that stands before you, I'm supremely confident that we can do that."

Parton's approach suggests hope for healing the divisions within the party through unity and a fresh start.

Author's summary: Mark Parton aims to reunify the Canberra Liberals by moving beyond internal conflicts, positioning himself as a confident, unifying leader backed by party consensus.

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The Canberra Times The Canberra Times — 2025-11-10

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