Kellie Sloane Elected NSW Liberal Leader, Vows Family-Focused Fight Against Labor Ahead of 2027 Poll
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Kellie Sloane was unanimously elected leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party on Friday, pledging to mount a family-focused campaign against the state Labor government ahead of elections just 15 months away while navigating federal party tensions that predecessor Mark Speakman warned had damaged the Liberal brand.
The country-raised journalist and former nonprofit chief executive becomes the latest leader of Australia’s most populous state’s opposition, inheriting a parliamentary team still recovering from election defeat and facing questions about policy coherence with federal Liberals embroiled in climate disputes.
Sloane, a mother of three teenage boys who represents an undisclosed state electorate, told reporters in Sydney she would work relentlessly for families regardless of their composition or location, emphasizing her optimism and collaborative leadership style as key differentiators from Speakman’s approach.
“I don’t come to this role as a career politician,” Sloane said during her first press conference as leader. “I’m a country raised, public school educated working mum who has built a career listening to people, telling their stories and advocating for them.”
The leadership transition follows Speakman’s departure after what Sloane described as service “at a really difficult time” leading the opposition with integrity and tenacity. Deputy Leader Natalie Ward was returned to her position and appeared alongside Sloane at the announcement.
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Energy and Climate Policy Challenges
Sloane faces immediate pressure to clarify the NSW Liberal-National Coalition’s position on climate and energy policy amid federal Liberal divisions over net zero emissions targets that have dominated national political coverage in recent weeks.
When pressed by reporters, Sloane confirmed the NSW Coalition would maintain its existing net zero position, noting strong party room support during a meeting earlier in the week. However, she quickly pivoted to what she characterized as Labor’s failed renewable energy rollout.
“We had a party room meeting this week and there was strong support to maintain our existing position,” Sloane said. “But we need to understand that families in New South Wales are doing it tough, particularly regional communities who, under this bungled rollout by Labor, are divided.”
Energy prices have increased approximately 40 percent under the current government, according to Sloane, who argued the state requires equitable renewable deployment alongside reliability and affordability priorities. She said the Coalition has maintained a consistent net zero position since 2016.
The NSW Nationals, coalition partners who hold different views on climate targets at the federal level, appear poised to shape energy policy under Sloane’s leadership. She confirmed plans to work through issues including the Narrabri gas project with National colleagues, stating gas remains essential for preventing energy shortfalls.
“We cannot work without gas,” Sloane said. “There is going to be an energy shortfall, and we need to be agnostic about the technology that gets us there.”
Federal Brand Damage Acknowledgment
In a notable departure from typical state leader responses, Sloane directly acknowledged federal Liberal dysfunction would impact NSW electoral prospects, though she expressed confidence in federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s ability to unite the party.
“I’m not going to stand here and pretend that some of the dysfunction that we’ve seen over time federally won’t impact us at state level,” Sloane said. “But I believe in Sussan Ley as our leader. I think she’s got the skills and the capability to bring people together.”
Ley, the Liberal member for Farrer in southern NSW and federal Opposition Leader, appeared in Adelaide on Friday where she thanked Speakman for his NSW leadership and endorsed Sloane’s appointment.
“I want to thank Mark Speakman for his leadership of the New South Wales Liberals and say that Kelly Sloan will do an outstanding job with the team there,” Ley said, emphasizing the importance of state Liberal parties conducting their business while federal leaders focus on policy alternatives.
Campaign Platform Takes Shape
Sloane outlined an aggressive opposition strategy targeting what she characterized as Labor’s failures across infrastructure, transport, health and cost of living domains. She criticized the Chris Minns-led government as uninspiring and lacking direction.
Infrastructure emerged as a central attack line, with Sloane claiming builders are leaving NSW for Queensland’s Liberal government due to absent project pipelines. She committed to being “a chippy or a cementer’s best friend” through pro-housing policies aimed at young families and essential workers.
The new leader confirmed support for YIMBY housing expansion despite questions about whether she would maintain Speakman’s emphasis on development. She said young people appear to have abandoned homeownership hopes and a Liberal-National coalition government would deliver housing opportunities through sound economic management.
On wages policy, Sloane declined to commit to reimposing public sector wage caps removed by Labor, stating the party room had not determined its position. She said policy development would occur through consultation with families across metropolitan and regional NSW over coming months.
Parliamentary Team Dynamics
Sloane emphasized the strength of her 25-member parliamentary team, describing it as one of Australia’s most impressive with experienced former government ministers alongside fresh perspectives from younger members.
Six colleagues are under 40 years old, bringing unique perspectives to the team, while almost half are women. The composition includes members with ministerial experience in infrastructure, roads and hospitals alongside what Sloane called fresh ideas from newer parliamentarians.
Ward, continuing as deputy, said the team had come together unanimously behind Sloane after a tumultuous week. She described the new leader as energetic, inclusive and inspiring with authentic understanding of family and child-rearing challenges.
“Kelly is energetic, she’s inclusive, she’s inspiring, and she’s absolutely down to earth when it comes to understanding families and kids and the challenges we all face,” Ward said, predicting Sloane would become Premier in 2027.
Labor Response and Electoral Timeline
The NSW government led by Premier Chris Minns declined immediate comment on Sloane’s elevation, though Labor has consistently defended its infrastructure pipeline and renewable energy transition as essential for the state’s future.
Elections are scheduled for March 2027, giving Sloane approximately 15 months to build name recognition and policy credibility across Australia’s largest state by population. She acknowledged not underestimating the challenge ahead while expressing readiness for the fight.
Sloane said she would spend minimal time at her desk in the short term, instead traveling across western Sydney, southwestern Sydney and regional NSW to consult families about their priorities and test policy ideas with colleagues.
“I’m an optimistic person. I’ve got a lot of energy. I’m very collaborative,” Sloane said. “I love people. I can’t wait to get out and meet the people of New South Wales.”
The Liberal Party has not held government in NSW since its 2023 election defeat, ending 12 years in power. Sloane inherits an opposition still defining its policy platform and managing internal party dynamics ahead of what promises to be a closely contested election campaign.
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