A first-term MP has become the Liberals’ newest leader as the ailing NSW party tries to sure up its footing 18 months from a crucial election.
Former Nine TV presenter Kellie Sloane completed her meteoric ascent to the top of the NSW Liberals on Friday after the chaotic aftermath of the federal Liberals’ election wipe-out tarnished its state brands and fuelled calls for fresh faces.
Her predecessor, Mark Speakman, finally gave way to the pressure on Thursday, announcing his resignation and throwing his weight behind fellow moderate Ms Sloane.
She was elected unopposed at a party room meeting on Friday morning.
Conservative candidate and Shadow Attorney-General Alister Henskens pulled out earlier.
Former cabinet minister Natalie Ward retained the deputy leadership.
Ms Sloane, a mother of three, enjoyed a decades-long career as a journalist and news presenter before teaming up with Healthy Harold to lead not-for-profit Life Education NSW.
Defeated in pre-selection for former premier Gladys Berejiklian’s Willoughby seat in 2022, Ms Sloane was comfortably elected as MP for the eastern Sydney electorate of Vaucluse at 2023 state election and rapidly appointed to the opposition frontbench under Mr Speakman.
Kellie Sloane is the new leader of the NSW Liberals, after being elected on Friday morning
Before politics Sloane (pictured) worked in broadcasting, working for Nine, Seven and the ABC
As late as Thursday morning, Mr Speakman was determined to hold onto his crown, launching a media blitz where he downplayed speculation of a spill.
But when Ms Sloane – a friend and moderate faction colleague – declared her intentions to lead, he agreed to step away.
Ms Sloane, 52, has become the second woman this week to have deposed a male state Liberal leader after Victoria’s coalition opposition dumped Brad Battin in favour of first-term MP Jess Wilson.
While both women will be hoping to turn things around before their next state elections, Ms Sloane faces an uphill battle.
No first-term opposition has won an election in NSW or federally since the 1930s while recent polls suggest the coalition would lose more seats to Labor if an election was held today.
‘They are in a pretty dire spot at the moment,’ election analyst Ben Raue told AAP.
‘It’s a very easy mechanical change to make, to sack someone and replace them with someone else, but unless that is the specific reason why you’re unpopular, it’s not going to change anything.’
Ms Sloane will steer the coalition with new Nationals leader Gurmesh Singh, who was elected unopposed on Tuesday after Dugald Saunders’ shock resignation.
The next NSW election is March 2027.
