Kellie Sloane Assumes NSW Liberal Leadership As Mark Speakman Resigns

Member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloan has been elected unopposed as the leader of the NSW Liberals at an emergency party meeting on Friday morning, following Mark Speakman’s resignation on Thursday.

“A day is a long time in politics. Half a day is a long time in politics. And even a few hours are a long time in politics,” Speakman told media yesterday afternoon.

“By this afternoon, it was clear that there was at least one person who had declared to me that she wished to be the leader of the Liberal party and a number of colleagues had indicated to me their preference that we have renewal and regeneration, and a new leader.”

The first-term politician and former journalist thanked her colleagues and said the role was “an incredible honour, huge responsibility”.

“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 in her first press conference.

“The next election is just over 15 months away, and I say that I don’t underestimate the challenge ahead of us, but I am ready for the fight, and as a team, we are ready for the fight.”

Natalie Ward will remain as deputy leader, as will Damien Tudehope as the leader of the opposition in the upper house. Member for Albury Justin Clancy was elected unopposed as the deputy Leader of the legislative Assembly.

Minns hopes her leaderships helps carve out a better state

Sloan’s election makes her the third woman to lead the Liberal’s NSW party. With experience as a businesswoman and journalist, she has significant support among Liberal MPs.

Assuming the seat of Vaucluse in the 2023 election, and the opposition health portfolio in mid-2024, Sloan has regularly pressed the Minns government on issues such as the private-public partnership at Northern Beaches hospital, and the issue of illicit tobacco.

She is vocal about antisemitism in her electorate, and recently spoke out against the neo-Nazi rally outside of NSW Parliament, to which she received “dozens and dozens” of hateful messages, including death threats.

“I will not be bullied out of saying what I think, and I will stand up for people in my community and for the broader community of Sydney who don’t like hate,” she said told ABC radio.

NSW Premier Chris Minns wished Sloan “the very best for the job”, adding that she was a “lovely person”.

“Politics doesn’t have to be about fighting each other,” he said. “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.”