Former Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley has resigned from the party and will join the crossbench, sitting as an independent for the rest of the term.
In a statement, she said she has “simply had enough of being part of an organisation with such a toxic culture”.
“In the last 18 months, I have experienced bullying, intimidation, lies, and even a threat of physical assault,” she said.
“I can no longer be part of an organisation which tolerates this conduct.”
This morning, Ms Castley told 666 ABC Canberra that the bullying, toxicity and “constant undermining” had been prevalent since she was first elected to the leadership in 2024.
“It’s not one person, it’s not one issue, it’s been an 18-month campaign,” she said.
“At some point I had to put a line in the sand and say, okay, I’m walking away.
“It’s distracting and it takes us away from the job that we’re elected to do, and I want that focus back.”
She also confirmed she had referred the matter of the physical threat to the party, and was “still considering” police action.
She would not be drawn on naming names, but said the person responsible was still in the party.
“I’m not going to go into that. It’s not important, and it’s not helpful,” Ms Castley said.
Current leader denies culture issue
Current Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton said he would not comment on the “individual matters” raised by Ms Castley.
“Where concerns have been raised, they’ve been treated seriously, but as is the path chosen by Leanne, I’m not going to sit on the radio and comment publicly on individual matters,” he told 666 ABC Canberra.
“We’ve dealt with it and are dealing with it.”
Canberra Liberals leader Mark Parton says there was an “an extremely positive vibe” in the party up until this morning. (ABC News: Monte Bovill)
He also denied the party had a culture issue, and said that he did not “condone bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour of any kind”.
“I reject the allegations about the toxic culture of the party,” he said.
“It’s a political party. It’s a robust environment.
“There are people involved in this pursuit with very strong opinions who want to put those opinions forward, but I’m not sure that that translates to a toxic culture.”
Castley: ‘It’s time to just let it go’
Ms Castley said the decision to leave the party was difficult, but “the right one for me and for Yerrabi”.
“It’s time,” she said.
“It’s time to just let it go, move forward, and do what I’ve been elected to do.
“The people of Yerrabi deserve my full focus.”
Leanne Castley will join the crossbench as an independent. (ABC News: Callum Flinn)
Ms Castley said the recent introduction of coercive control legislation had cemented her perspective.
“When the coercive control legislation came in, I thought to myself, ‘This is the reason I’m in politics. It is to make great changes’,” she said.
Ms Castley also shut down rumours about joining One Nation.
“I have had no conversations with any other political parties,” she said.
“I’m moving forward as an independent member for Yerrabi with the same Liberal values.
“I am the same person. The people that meet me on the street know that I’m going to fight for the same issues that I always have. I will just be doing it as an independent because that’s what’s important to me.
“I’m not a career politician. I’m someone who wanted to get in and make a change.”A year as Canberra Liberals leader
Ms Castley first joined the Canberra Liberals in 2020 as a member for Yerrabi.
She took over as party leader in October 2024, in the wake of Labor’s seventh-straight election victory.
But just seven months ago she stepped down from the Canberra Liberals leadership, with Mark Parton elected the new leader in November 2025.
Former Canberra Liberals leader Leanne Castley with former deputy Jeremy Hanson. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)
Deputy leader Jeremy Hanson also stepped down from his position, and Deborah Morris was appointed the new deputy leader.
Ms Castley had drawn criticism over a series of decisions while in leadership which saw Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain shut out of decision-making before being “suspended indefinitely” from the party room after they crossed the floor during a vote about sitting weeks.
Their suspension was later revoked by Mr Parton.
Mr Parton said Ms Castley’s resignation was “very much a bump in the road” for the party.
“It’s a massive change for Leanne, but, you know, ultimately, she will continue to represent the community,” he said.
“And by and large, she’s going to be on the same page as us with most things. I’m not sure that there’s going to be a great change to outcomes in the assembly.”