Mark Speakman has stepped down as leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party, paving the way for first-term MP and former journalist Kellie Sloane to replace him. Speakman announced his resignation on Thursday afternoon, saying he was visited by Sloane who expressed her desire to lead the party. A party room meeting is scheduled for Friday morning, where Sloane is expected to be elected unopposed or with a large majority.
Speakman, who had been defending his leadership earlier in the day, attributed the decline in his popularity to brand damage from the federal Liberals. He urged his colleagues to focus on core values such as environmental stewardship, net zero emissions, multiculturalism, and housing affordability to reconnect with middle Australia. He acknowledged the difficulty of leading the opposition, noting that no opposition leader has won government after a single term in NSW since the 1930s.
Senior party figures had grown concerned over Speakman's inability to effectively communicate the Coalition's message in parliament. A Resolve Poll published in November showed the Coalition's primary vote at 28%, which analysts said would translate to a heavy defeat if an election were held then. Many moderate-held seats are considered vulnerable under that scenario.
Sloane, who serves as the opposition health spokesperson, has gained attention for her attacks on the Labor government over hospital emergency department failures. She has secured Speakman's endorsement and is believed to have cross-factional support, particularly from the moderate faction. If elected, she would become the third woman to lead a Coalition opposition since May, following federal leader Sussan Ley and Victorian leader Jess Wilson.
