The Canberra Liberals have put forward former deputy opposition leader Jeremy Hanson as their nominee for Speaker of the ACT Legislative Assembly, marking a significant shift in the territory's political landscape following recent leadership turmoil.
Leadership Changes Prompt Speaker Nomination
The nomination comes after Mark Parton resigned as Speaker on Monday and subsequently emerged from a Liberal party room meeting with unanimous support to take over as opposition leader. The first full party room meeting since this leadership change formally endorsed Hanson's candidacy for the prestigious parliamentary position.
Parton described Hanson as 'our most experienced MLA' when announcing the decision to Liberal members on Friday. Hanson had resigned as deputy opposition leader earlier in the week, clearing the path for this new role.
Assembly Vote Required for Confirmation
Hanson's appointment is not yet guaranteed, as he will need to secure support from across the Assembly when politicians return to parliament. The Legislative Assembly is scheduled to next sit on December 2, with a vote on the speakership required before any other business can proceed.
According to the companion to the Assembly's standing orders, the Speaker must maintain independence from day-to-day politics. 'It is critically important for the Speaker to be - and be seen to be - independent of the day-to-day politics conducted within and outside the Assembly chamber,' the guidelines state.
Background to Political Reshuffle
The leadership changes follow two weeks of escalating tension within the Canberra Liberals. The situation intensified when former leader Leanne Castley suspended Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain from the party room after they crossed the floor to support a Greens' initiative to add an extra sitting week in 2026.
This political maneuvering has resulted in a comprehensive reshuffle of the opposition's senior positions, with Hanson's potential move to the speakership representing a stabilization of the party's internal structure following the recent upheaval.
The December 2 sitting will be crucial for determining whether Hanson can secure the crossbench support needed to assume the role of Speaker, a position that requires balancing parliamentary tradition with contemporary political realities.
