A swift leadership change
On 20 November 2025, Mark Speakman announced his resignation as Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division) and Leader of the Opposition in New South Wales. Earlier in the day he had publicly vowed to remain in the role, but by the afternoon declared that “a few hours is a long time in politics” after recognising a shift in support and internal calls for renewal. He endorsed Kellie Sloane — the Vaucluse MP and Shadow Health Minister — as his preferred replacement, ahead of a party room meeting scheduled for Friday to formally choose the new leader.
Why the change happened
Speakman cited several factors: declining polling for the Coalition in NSW, ongoing internal messaging challenges, and a growing desire across the parliamentary Liberal ranks for “renewal and regeneration”. He noted that no first‑term opposition leader in NSW has since the 1930s gone on to win government — highlighting the uphill battle he faced. Collectively, senior MPs had indicated they supported a leadership change; Sloane’s signalling of her intention to take on the role prompted Speakman to step aside.
Sloane’s pathway to leadership
Sloane, elected to the NSW Legislative Assembly in 2023, is seen as having broad support across moderate and centre‑right factions of the party. She confirmed she would nominate for the leadership, thanked Speakman for his endorsement, and noted the need for “fresh energy, unity and focus” as the party gears up for the next state election.
Challenges facing the incoming leader
While Sloane is the frontrunner, she inherits a party with deep fissures: policy uncertainties (especially on housing and infrastructure), a fractured relationship with coalition partner the Nationals, and the task of repositioning the Liberal brand ahead of the NSW election. She will also need to assert herself quickly in the parliamentary arena and build a team capable of mounting a credible challenge to the governing Labour‑led administration.
What it means for NSW politics
This change signals a strategic shift for the NSW Liberals. By selecting a new leader from within, the party appears intent on resetting its message and reconnecting with voters — especially in a state where it currently trails significantly in opinion polls. For the governing Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch) and Premier Chris Minns, the leadership change offers a fresh target and may inject momentum into the opposition, or conversely create new instability.
Final thought
Mark Speakman’s resignation punctuates a volatile period for the NSW Liberals. With Kellie Sloane poised to take the helm, the party is entering a new chapter — one defined not just by leadership, but by how it addresses the trio of leadership legitimacy, policy clarity and electoral competitiveness. The coming weeks will test whether Sloane can translate her endorsement into leadership authority, policy coherence and electoral traction — in what is shaping up to be a critical cycle for the Liberal Party in New South Wales.
Europe-based journalist with 10 years of experience covering Australian politics, sport and breaking news.
