Kellie Sloane elected NSW Liberal Leader as Mark Speakman steps down
Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, MP for Vaucluse
On Thursday November 20 Mark Speakman announced he is stepping down as leader of the NSW Liberal Party, endorsing first-term MP Kellie Sloane as his replacement.
Mr Speakman called a snap media conference on Thursday afternoon after speculation about his future throughout the day.
Mr Speakman said there had been "challenges" to the modern Liberal Party, but he had done his best to address them during his leadership.
Mr Speakman had to be front and centre after he called for the resignation of former Pittwater MP Rory Amon, who in February 2026 will be in court over multiple charges of allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy.
Mr Speakman also had to face the cameras when around 150 Liberal party members could not stand for council elections in 2024 due to the party failing to submit paperwork for their candidates before the commission's deadline.
Mr. Speakman, who took on the role of the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Liberal Party in New South Wales on 21 April 2023 after the Liberal Party lost the state election, is known to be a ‘really nice bloke’ who stepped up when that was required.
"You know that when you become a first-term opposition leader, you know what the odds are," Mr. Spealman said on Thursday
"You know that no first-term opposition leader has won an election either in New South Wales or federally since the 1930s.
"You know what the odds are. But I wanted to give it a red-hot go and I believe I have given it a red-hot go."
Chairman of the NSW Liberal Party Management Committee, Nick Greiner, said Mark had shown himself to be a great servant of the party.
“Mark took on the leadership following the 2023 election and has led the Party with integrity during a challenging period,” said Mr Greiner.
“His resignation was a gracious and humble act of someone who always put the people of this state first, ahead of any political or personal considerations.”
“He deserves great credit for his tireless service to deliver better outcomes for NSW as the Attorney General, Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Minister for Environment and Heritage, and Leader of Opposition.”
On 9 June 2023, Mr. Speakman was granted retention of The Honourable title by the Governor for life, for having served as a Member of the Executive Council for more than three years.
On Friday first-term MP Kellie Sloane became the next leader of the New South Wales Liberals, following Mark Speakman's decision to step down.
Shadow health minister Ms Sloane, the MP for Vaucluse, was elected unopposed on Friday morning.
Natalie Ward will remain as deputy leader and Damien Tudehope will remain as the leader of the opposition in the upper house.
Ms Sloane thanked her colleagues and Mr Speakman at a media conference about an hour after her successful leadership bid.
"I am ready to fight and as a team. We are ready for the fight," she said.
"It feels surreal to be honest, this is not where I expected to be in 2025, it was not on my bingo card."
Ms Sloane said although she did not come from a political background, her diverse background would help her lead.
"I'm a country-raised public-school educated, working mum who has built a career listening to people telling their stories and advocating for them," she said.
Ms Sloane said her three teenage boys were an inspiration for her move into politics.
"They are the reason I want our state to be a better place and I want that for all young people in New South Wales."
When asked about the dysfunction within the federal Liberal Party, Ms Sloane said it could impact the state branch, but she believes in leader Sussan Ley.
"They're finding their way, but I've got great faith that they'll find their true north as we have," she said.
In terms of the net zero policy, which the federal Liberal Party has dumped, Ms Sloane said the state faction would continue to support it, but reliability and affordability must be prioritised.
Ms Sloane will have to negotiate a position on net zero after the state Nationals rejected the target last week, and that follows on from the NSW coalition voting with Labor to pass planning laws which veto councils and community voices.
The next state election is in 2027.
Chairman of the NSW Liberal Party Management Committee, Nick Greiner, welcomed Kellie’s unanimous election as the NSW Leader.
“I congratulate Kellie on her election. She has aways been driven by community service – from her almost 20 years in journalism to her work as the National CEO of Life Education – striving to deliver real change for our community.
“Liberal Party members across the state are behind Kellie, as the parliamentary and volunteer wings of our Party work together towards a Liberal election victory that will deliver a thriving NSW.
“Now is the time for a unified approach behind Kellie and Natalie Ward to ensure the Party looks outward and forward as an alternative government with a laser focus on winning in 2027.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said: ‘’Congratulations to Kellie Sloane on becoming the new Liberal Leader. Being in opposition isn't easy, but I wish her all the best and look forward to working collaboratively with the Coalition to make NSW a better place.
I also want to pay tribute to Mark Speakman - someone who I genuinely believe believes in public service. All the best in your future endeavours.’’
Politics doesn’t have to be relentlessly negative all of the time. If there are things that the two of us can work on to make NSW better, then we should do that.
"Politics doesn't have to be about fighting each other. If there are things the two of us can work on to make New South Wales better, I am up for it, and I hope Kellie is too," he said.
Member for Albury Justin Clancy was elected unopposed as the new deputy Leader of the legislative Assembly.
NSW Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh, who was elected unopposed on Tuesday, said "it is historic" that there are now two female Liberal leaders, referencing newly-elected Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson.
"It's a new era," he said.