Ms Lee later called for a party room meeting in light of her suspension.<\/p>\n
Today, she confirmed that both she and Mr Cain had been “suspended indefinitely” from the party room.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Lee has been on the backbench since losing the Liberal leadership to Leanne Castley last year. (ABC News: Ian Cutmore)<\/p>\n
“Peter and I have been suspended indefinitely \u2014 until further notice,” Ms Lee said in a press conference this morning.<\/p>\n
“I still stand by my position that I exercised my right as a Liberal Party backbencher.<\/p>\n
“We have a long history of allowing backbenchers to vote differently \u2014 to cross the floor.’<\/p>\n
Ms Lee said her decision to cross the floor yesterday was to fight against the reduction of sitting weeks.<\/p>\n
“It is imperative for an opposition to use every opportunity to hold this government to account,” she said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain crossed the floor yesterday during a vote about next year’s sitting weeks. (ABC News: Toby Hunt)<\/p>\n
“For Peter and I to make a call \u2014 to exercise our right as Liberal Party backbenchers \u2014 to cross the floor on that issue and be suspended indefinitely for that, is unacceptable.”<\/p>\n
Ms Lee would not go into individual details of what happened in the party room.<\/p>\n
But she said she would not consider rejoining the shadow cabinet.<\/p>\n
“Obviously, personally, it takes a toll. This is a party that I love,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I have a lot of support, especially within my branch, and I will continue to serve, in the best capacity that I can, as a Liberal member for Kurrajong.<\/p>\n
“I remain committed to the Liberal Party.”<\/p>\n
When asked what this decision means for the rest of the sitting week, Ms Lee said “I don’t know”.<\/p>\n
‘The right thing to do’<\/p>\n
Peter Cain addressing the media after being suspended indefinitely from the party room. (ABC News: Toby Hunt)<\/p>\n
Mr Cain said he was beyond surprised by the party room decision, but also said that he was not considering leaving the party.<\/p>\n
“I joined a party that exhibited vision for our city and country, and I joined a party that had tolerance and a broad church acceptance of different views. That’s the party I joined,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I wish we resembled that party much more strongly than we do at the moment.<\/p>\n
“My intention is to remain a Canberra Liberal.”<\/p>\n
Mr Cain also stood by his decision to cross the floor yesterday, saying it was “the right thing to do”.<\/p>\n
“There’s a reason the government wants fewer sitting days next year \u2014 they don’t want the scrutiny and the accountability,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Cain said it was up to party leader Leanne Castley what happened next.<\/p>\n
So far, Ms Castley has not issued a statement nor spoken to the media about why she moved to suspend Ms Lee and Mr Cain from the party room.<\/p>\n
Speaking as he left the assembly, Liberal MLA James Milligan told the ABC that Ms Castley had his full support.<\/p>\n
“We’re doing some good work in the assembly under that leadership and I will support her going forward,” he said.<\/p>\n
Difference between Liberal and Labor<\/p>\n
In September, Ms Castley told ABC Stateline that backbenchers could cross the floor.<\/p>\n