2023 New South Wales Liberal Party leadership election explained

The 2023 Liberal Party of Australia (New South Wales Division) leadership election is a leadership election that was held on 21 April 2023 following the party's defeat by the Labor Party at the 2023 election and the resignation of leader and former premier Dominic Perrottet. Mark Speakman (of the party's Moderate faction) and Anthony Roberts (of the Conservative faction) were the two declared candidates. Speakman defeated Roberts by 22 votes (62.86%) to 13 (37.14%). For the deputy leadership, Natalie Ward defeated Wendy Tuckerman by 27 votes (77.14%) to eight (22.86%) after the party overwhelmingly voted to allow members of both houses to run for the deputy leadership.^[2]

Background

Dominic Perrottet became Premier of New South Wales in 2021 after the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian following an inquiry from the ICAC. Perrottet's leadership and policies came under scrutiny during the election campaign, with some critics blaming him for the government's handling of issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and some calling for his resignation following revelations that he wore a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday. On election night, Perrottet conceded to Chris Minns from Labor Party and resigned as the leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party.

The National Party also held two leadership spills. In the first spill, Paul Toole survived and was re-elected against Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders.^[3] In the second spill, Toole lost and was replaced by Saunders.

Results

Deputy leadership

Candidates

Leader

Declared

• Anthony Roberts MP (Lane Cove, 2003–present),^[6] Minister for Planning and Homes (2021–2023)
• Mark Speakman MP (Cronulla, 2011–present),^[7] Attorney-General of New South Wales (2017–2023)

Declined

• Matt Kean MP (Hornsby, 2011–present),^[8] Treasurer of New South Wales (2021–2023), Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party
• James Griffin MP (Manly, 2017–present),^[9] Minister for Environment and Heritage (2021–2023)

Deputy leader

Declared

• Tanya Davies MP (Badgerys Creek),^[10] Minister for Mental Health, Women, and Ageing (2017–2019)
• Felicity Wilson MP (North Shore),^[11] Parliamentary secretary to the treasurer and for COVID recovery (2021–2023)

Legislative Council leader

Declared

• Damien Tudehope MLC, the previous Legislative Council leader

Withdrew

• Natalie Ward MLC, Minister for Metropolitan Roads, Women's Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence (2021–2023)^[12]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Speakman firms as Liberal leader after Perrottet officially calls leadership spill . 13 April 2023 .
2. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/nsw-nationals-roll-paul-toole-elect-dugald-saunders-as-leader/news-story/1a5190f867fd739ee2a33ceba0a6c99d?amp
3. News: 2023-04-05 . Paul Toole survives close party room vote to remain NSW Nationals leader . en-AU . ABC News . 2023-05-24.
4. News: Rose . Tamsin . 2023-04-21 . Mark Speakman elected leader of the NSW Liberal party . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-24 . 0261-3077.
5. News: Rose . Tamsin . 2023-04-21 . Mark Speakman elected leader of the NSW Liberal party . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-05-24 . 0261-3077.
6. News: Maddison . Max . 26 March 2023. Anthony Roberts declares intention to reform party as leader. The Australian . Sydney . 2023-03-27.
7. News: McGowan . Michael . Mark Speakman to run for Liberal leadership as party secures final upper house seat . 19 April 2023 . . . 19 April 2023 . en.
8. News: Davies . Anne . Rose . Tamsin . 26 March 2023. Matt Kean rules himself out of NSW Liberal leadership amid speculation about federal moveleader. The Guardian (Australia) . Sydney . 2023-03-27.
9. News: O'Doherty . James . Bharadwaj . Angira . Leeming . Lachlan . 27 March 2023 . Matt Kean, James Griffin won't run to become Liberal party's new leader. The Daily Telegraph (Sydney) . Sydney, New South Wales . 2023-03-27.
10. Web site: After NSW election loss, Liberal party ponders a change of leader – and a possible change of direction NSW election 2023 The Guardian . 2023-05-24 . amp.theguardian.com.
11. News: Cormack . Lucy . McGowan . Michael . 'Meandering in a vacuum': Senior Liberal laments rudderless party . 13 April 2023 . . . 12 April 2023 . en.
12. News: Rose . Tamsin . 18 April 2023 . NSW Liberal leadership: Mark Speakman eyes deals to firm up position ahead of vote . The Guardian (Australia) . Sydney . 2023-04-18.