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Former Opposition Leader Quits Liberals over Bullying
Castley cited bullying, intimidation and a threat of physical assault as she left after 18 months of internal tensions.
- On Wednesday, Canberra Liberal Leanne Castley announced she will resign from the party to sit as an independent on the crossbench in the Legislative Assembly for the remainder of the term.
- Castley cited a "toxic culture" within the party, stating she experienced bullying, intimidation, and an alleged threat of physical assault during an "18-month campaign" against her leadership.
- Tensions escalated after Castley, who served as leader until November 2025, suspended party members Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain indefinitely from the party room following a floor-crossing incident.
- Opposition Leader Mark Parton denied the party harbors a toxic culture, telling ABC Radio that he does not "condone bullying, intimidation or inappropriate behaviour of any kind."
- Castley plans to prioritize coercive control legislation, stating, "That's what the community wants to see from its politicians and that's what I want to spend my time on.
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The Courier+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Former opposition leader quits Liberals over bullying
A former Liberal leader has announced their decision to quit the party, saying they were threatened with assault...
·Ballarat City, Australia
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Former Canberra Liberals leader quits party over 'toxic culture'
Former ACT Leader of the Opposition Leanne Castley has resigned from the Canberra Liberals due to a “toxic culture” within the party. “I have simply had enough of being part of an organisation with such a toxic culture. In the last 18 months, I have experienced bullying, intimidation, lies, and even a threat of physical assault. I can no longer be part of an organisation which tolerates this conduct,” Ms Castley said in a statement. “This has be…
·Canberra, Australia
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Total News Sources7
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 17%
R 16%
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