Canberra Liberals MLA Peter Cain has alluded to a breakdown in his relationship with the leadership team. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberra Liberals frontbencher Peter Cain has sensationally walked away from the shadow cabinet after becoming disillusioned with the current leadership team of Leanne Castley and Jeremy Hanson.
In a statement, Mr Cain said his decision to resign from the shadow cabinet was effective immediately.
“This decision follows ongoing concerns regarding the direction of the current leadership team and the processes through which key decisions have been made,” he said.
But Ms Castley said Mr Cain’s concerns about the leadership was news to her.
“Peter hadn’t raised any concerns that he had of leadership to me or my office in the last six months so his decision comes somewhat as a surprise,” she said.
But party sources say Mr Cain had not been happy for some time.
Mr Cain did not say specifically what prompted him to quit but suggested the working environment had become toxic.
“I also have a duty of care to my hardworking staff, who deserve to work in a safe, supportive, and respectful environment,” he said.
Mr Cain said it was not a step he had taken lightly. But over recent months it had become increasingly clear he could no longer support the leadership team as a member of the shadow cabinet.
“I believe I can best serve the Canberra community and the people of Ginninderra from the backbench,” Mr Cain said.
He said he was proud of the work he had done and advocacy across all his portfolios, “always with a focus on delivering better outcomes for Canberrans and holding the ACT Labor government accountable for its mismanagement”.
“I remain firmly committed to continuing that work from the backbench,” he said.
“I will continue to work hard, speak up, and advocate for policies that reflect the best of what a Liberal philosophy has to offer, and I remain available to engage with anyone to advance the best interests of Belconnen and the ACT.”
Mr Cain was the shadow attorney-general and planning and housing services spokesperson.
Ms Castley said Mr Cain had been a valuable member of shadow cabinet and played an important role in the party room.
“I will consult with my colleagues and make the appropriate adjustments to shadow cabinet in due course,” she said.
“Today’s events do not distract me or my team from holding to account a tired, stale Labor government that has let down the Canberra community.”
Mr Cain’s resignation will reignite ructions within the Canberra Liberals and fuel speculation that Ms Castley’s leadership is under threat.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Mr Cain’s resignation showed the Canberra Liberals remained deeply conservative, increasingly out of touch, and more divided than ever.
“Mr Cain’s resignation from the shadow cabinet is significant and a reflection of deep divisions within the Canberra Liberals on key policy issues,” he said.
“His comments regarding the safety of his staff are particularly concerning and should prompt serious reflection within the Liberal Party.”
Mr Cain will join former leader Elizabeth Lee on the backbench.
Ms Castley, supported by Mr Hanson, ousted Ms Lee after last year’s election loss.
Mr Cain is believed to have supported Ms Lee in the leadership vote.
With former frontbencher Mark Parton now Speaker, Ms Castley will have to re-allocate portfolios among the smaller frontbench or call on Ms Lee. But Ms Lee rejected a shadow cabinet role when she lost the leadership.
