'It's time to leave shit behind': Mark Parton's plan to lead unified Liberals to government | Region Canberra

Mark Parton Commits to Unifying Canberra Liberals for 2028 Election

UPDATE, 3:40 PM: Mark Parton, the newly elected leader of the Canberra Liberals, together with his deputy Deborah Morris, pledged to lead a united party into the 2028 election. After their election to the leadership, Parton spoke to the media emphasizing the need to move beyond internal conflicts.

“I’m 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,”

Parton expressed a clear goal to align the nine parliamentary members and focus on contesting the government in 2028.

“I am here, along with Deborah Morris, to get nine parliamentary members on the same train heading forward so that we can take on the government in 2028.”

Addressing Party Division

He acknowledged the party had been divided in recent months but noted that the resignations of former leaders Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson helped create an opportunity for unity.

Parton described the division as less ideological, framing it instead as a conflict between holding onto the past and moving forward.

“I think in recent months my party’s 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.”

Leadership Outlook

Known as the party’s best media performer, Parton has been viewed as leadership material for some time. Despite previous opportunities, he either lacked sufficient support or chose not to pursue the leadership until now.

Summary

Mark Parton aims to overcome division within the Canberra Liberals by uniting the party and focusing on winning the 2028 election, advocating for leaving behind past conflicts to move forward.

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Region Canberra Region Canberra — 2025-11-10

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