Vaucluse MP Kellie Sloane has been elected as the new NSW Liberal Party leader after Mark Speakman resigned following weeks of speculation.
Opposition whips Adam Crouch and Chris Rath confirmed Sloane was unanimously elected in a brief party room meeting this morning after shadow attorney-general and Wahroonga MP Alister Henskens backed out of the race.
Deputy leader Natalie Ward retained her position, helping create the first all-female leadership team in the state party’s history.
Kelli Sloane said she had received ‘violent’ threats after condemning a neo nazi protest in Sydney. (Sitthixay Ditthavong)
Sloane said it was an “incredible honour, a huge responsibility” but she was “ready to work”.
“A few moments ago, a united Liberal Party room endorsed me as the new leader, and it’s an incredible honour, a huge responsibility, one I don’t take lightly,” she told reporters outside the party room,” she said.
“I’m ready to work for New South Wales, and I thank my colleagues for the faith and the trust that they’ve placed in me today.”
The new leader will hold a press conference later today.
Sloane has had a quick rise to the top after only being a little over two years into her first term as Vaucluse MP and shadow health minister.
Speakman endorsed her leadership when he resigned yesterday afternoon, telling the media that she had approached him for the role. 
Mark Speakman has stood down as NSW Liberal leader. (9News)
“Kellie Sloane will be a fantastic leader if selected by the parliamentary Liberal Party,” he said.
“She is someone of enormous talent. She is not only a great communicator, she has extensive experience as a businesswoman.
“She is someone I hope will lead the Liberal Party to the next election. She will have my full support. She will have my endorsement.”
Speakman was ousted just days after his Victorian counterpart, Brad Battin, also lost his position in a leadership spill.
He said his colleagues wanted “renewal and regeneration” after previously denying his role was up for grabs.