In a defiant address to party faithful, the newly appointed leader of the New South Wales Liberal opposition, Kellie Sloane, has issued a stark warning to the incumbent Labor government, declaring 'We have beaten you once and we will do it again'.
A Bold Declaration for the 2027 State Election
Ms Sloane, who ascended to the leadership role on November 22, made her bold prediction during a speech at the NSW Liberal state council. This was the first time she had appeared in public alongside the party's federal leader, Sussan Ley, since taking over from former opposition leader Mark Speakman.
Addressing the room, the former Nine TV presenter conceded that the 'road to March 2027 will be demanding'. She emphasised that the journey would require 'discipline, unity and relentless focus', but expressed her profound belief in the party's values and capacity to succeed.
Directing her comments squarely at Labor Premier Chris Minns, Ms Sloane drew on the party's history to fuel her confidence, stating they had overcome such challenges before and were fully prepared to do so again.
Policy Focus and Internal Challenges
In a move to rally her base, the new Opposition Leader invoked the wisdom of two former Liberal giants. She quoted Robert Menzies on 'the forgotten people' and John Howard's reminder that national strength begins in the household.
Aligning with this sentiment, she pledged to place families at the very centre of her policy agenda, asserting that supporting them was not only 'sound policy' but the party's 'duty'.
The event also featured an address from Ms Ley, who used her platform to criticise the Labor government's recent reforms to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. She dismissed the newly passed legislation as mere 'red tape' and signalled the 'rebirth' of the Labor Greens alliance, which she claimed was 'back in full force'.
This comes during a turbulent period for the Liberals, with Ms Ley facing internal conflict over her recent decision to rescind the party's net zero targets and ongoing debates on immigration policy. Despite this infighting, Ms Ley promised to campaign vigorously on these issues, insisting they would be winning positions at the next election.
A Rocky Start and a Meteoric Rise
Ms Sloane's leadership has not begun without controversy. On her very first day in the role, November 22, she was heckled by protesters during a photo opportunity in Parramatta, where she was accused of being a leader for 'developers and billionaires'.
The Vaucluse MP responded by stating she was willing to sit down and discuss these 'tough' concerns. Her rise to the top of the NSW Liberals has been rapid; a first-term MP, she reached leadership following the federal election wipe-out that tarnished the party's state brand and spurred calls for new faces.
She has, however, received well-wishes from former NSW premiers Gladys Berejiklian and Mike Baird, as well as continued support from Sussan Ley, as she steps into this demanding role.
