The Canberra Liberals have announced a “refreshed and forward-looking” shadow cabinet under new leader Mark Parton.
Mr Parton was elected as leader of the party last month, replacing Leanne Castley, who stepped down after a year in the job.
Deputy leader Jeremy Hanson also stepped down from his position, and was this week named speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Deborah Morris, Mr Parton’s fellow member for the south Canberra electorate of Brindabella, was appointed the new deputy leader.
“It’s taken a little jockeying, it’s always an interesting process arriving at shadow portfolios,” Mr Parton said.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing that we move forward as an opposition that’s here a) to hold the government to account, and b) to win government in 2028.”
Peter Cain has returned to the shadow cabinet but not in the role he previously held as shadow attorney-general, and the reshuffle also takes the health, transport, and home ownership portfolios away from Ms Castley.
Leanne Castley is now responsible for the city services, women, prevention of family and domestic violence portfolios. (ABC News: Tobias Hunt)
It also rejoins the housing portfolios of housing affordability and home ownership, which had been split between Ms Castley and Mr Cain in the previous shadow cabinet announced in November 2024.
The portfolio of “environment and climate change” has been updated from its former “planning and environment” remit, indicating how the Canberra Liberals may differ in priorities from their federal counterparts, who recently dumped their target to reach net zero by 2050.
Chiaka Barry, James Milligan and Ed Cocks have retained their responsibilities.
The new shadow cabinet has been announced as follows:
Mark Parton (Opposition Leader) — health, transport, gaming and racing, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AffairsDeborah Morris (Deputy Opposition Leader) — planning, police, emergency services and community safety, home ownership and housing affordability, and correctionsEd Cocks (Opposition Whip) — Treasury, private sector employment and industrial affairs, and youth affairsChiaka Barry — shadow attorney-general, social housing and homelessness, multicultural affairsPeter Cain — community services, government services, veterans, and seniorsLeanne Castley — city services, women, prevention of family and domestic violenceElizabeth Lee — education, environment and climate change, and tourism and eventsJames Milligan — business innovation and economic development, skills and vocational training, sport and recreation, and arts and creative industriesElizabeth Lee snubbed as speaker
Mr Parton’s ascension to the top job followed months of tension within the party.
Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain were suspended from the party room by Ms Castley in late October after they crossed the floor in the ACT Legislative Assembly over moves to reduce the sitting calendar from 13 weeks to 12 next year.
Elizabeth Lee admitted she had hoped to serve as speaker in the Legislative Assembly. (ABC News: Michael Barnett)
It was clear at Thursday’s media conference that some of that tension remained, with Ms Lee confirming she had put her hand up for the role of speaker, which was ultimately handed to Mr Hanson.
“I don’t think I’ve ever shied away from the fact that I was interested in it,” Ms Lee told reporters.
“There was a party room process and Mr Hanson was the Liberal Party nominee, as we saw play out publicly.
“I did express a strong interest and I did receive a strong indication of support from the crossbench.”
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Mr Parton confirmed Ms Lee’s assertion that there had been “robust discussions” within the party about the allocation of shadow portfolios.
“The last couple of months have been incredibly difficult, not just for me personally and my team, but of course the broader Canberra Liberals team,” Ms Lee said.
“We’ve all had some serious thinking in the last couple of weeks, and there’s been no doubt about the support I’ve received from the new leadership team.”
Speaking after his election as leader last month, Mr Parton said he was “absolutely sick to death of having conversations about internal party matters” and vowed to “leave shit behind”.