The Canberra Liberals are facing a deepening internal crisis as leader Leanne Castley remains silent over the suspension of two party members, Elizabeth Lee and Peter Cain. The pair were suspended from the party room after voting against their colleagues on a procedural matter regarding the ACT Legislative Assembly's sitting calendar for next year. Their decision to cross the floor, a long-standing Liberal tradition, has led to their banishment from the party room, despite Castley's past statements that backbenchers are allowed to cross the floor.
The suspension occurred almost exactly a year after Castley successfully challenged Lee for the party leadership, and just months after Cain resigned from the shadow cabinet citing concerns over leadership and workplace culture. The tensions within the party have been simmering for some time, with the recent vote serving as the final straw. Lee and Cain voted to preserve 13 sitting weeks next year, while the party wanted to reduce it to 12.
Castley has refused to comment publicly on the matter, stating that 'litigating these issues publicly is not helpful in showing a commitment to restoring trust.' However, her silence has allowed Lee and Cain to dominate the narrative, as they have repeatedly spoken to the media to explain their side of the story. The lack of communication from Castley has only intensified the feud and drawn attention away from key issues affecting Canberrans.
The controversy comes at a time when the ACT government faces scrutiny over the problematic rollout of the MyWay+ ticketing system, with Transport Minister Chris Steel being censured by the assembly—the first such censure since 2011. The Canberra Liberals' internal strife has diverted attention from these pressing matters, further undermining public trust in the party as a viable alternative government.
