More Turmoil as NSW Liberals Dump Speakman
Mark Speakman has announced he is stepping down as leader of the NSW Liberal Party and has endorsed first-term MP Kellie Sloane as his replacement.
Speakman called an unexpected media conference on Thursday afternoon after a day of intensifying speculation about his position. Earlier, he insisted he would need to be “blasted out” of the leadership, but by mid-afternoon his support had clearly slipped away.
He said Sloane approached him directly.
“She told me she wished to take the leadership,” Speakman said. “She believed the party’s interests would be best served if she took the reins — and I have reluctantly agreed.”
Sloane later confirmed she will nominate for the leadership on Friday, thanking Speakman for his service and his endorsement.
Speakman acknowledged the “challenges” facing the modern Liberal Party and said he had worked hard to stabilise it.
“When you become a first-term opposition leader, you know the odds,” he said. “No first-term opposition leader has won an election in NSW or federally since the 1930s. I wanted to give it a red-hot go, and I believe I have.”
NSW Liberal Party chairman Nick Greiner praised Speakman’s leadership, calling his resignation a “gracious and humble act” from someone who “always put the people of this state first”.
Sloane moves into pole position
Sloane – the Member for Vaucluse and shadow health minister – had resisted pressure to mount a direct challenge, despite days of leadership speculation.
“Kellie Sloane will be a fantastic leader if selected,” Speakman said. “She has enormous talent and is someone I hope will take the party into the next election.”
He urged the party room to unite behind her, giving her “the energy, unity and focus” needed to win government.
Speakman will remain the Member for Cronulla and intends to recontest his seat. He plans to continue advocating for a strong pro-housing agenda and for the state’s net-zero 2050 commitments.
A day of shifting numbers
The morning began with Speakman defiantly holding his ground as Shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens sounded out colleagues about a potential challenge. Government ministers took aim at Speakman’s vulnerable position during question time as he and Henskens sat side by side.
Several moderate MPs, long aligned with Speakman, were taken aback when he refused to step aside earlier in the day.
Signs of a shift emerged at lunchtime when Speakman postponed – then cancelled – a series of scheduled media interviews. His resignation followed soon after.
“Time to hand over the baton”
Closing his press conference, Speakman said he was proud of his efforts.
“I have no regrets,” he said. “I’m sorry that I’m resigning and no doubt I’ve made mistakes. I was dealt a difficult set of cards and did my best with them. But now is the right moment to hand over the baton.”
