In a significant political development in Australia, the New South Wales (NSW) Liberal Party has elected Kellie Sloane, a first-term Member of Parliament and former journalist, as its new leader. The election took place on Friday, 21st November 2025 (EAT), following the resignation of Mark Speakman. Sloane, 52, who represents the electorate of Vaucluse, was elected unopposed, marking a pivotal moment for the party as it seeks to rebuild and present a fresh image to the electorate.

Sloane's ascension is historic, creating the party's first all-female leadership team in NSW, with Natalie Ward continuing as Deputy Leader. This comes at a time when the Liberal Party, both at the state and federal level, is grappling with declining support and internal divisions. Speakman's resignation on Thursday, 20th November 2025, came after acknowledging his struggle to gain traction and facing mounting pressure from within the party due to poor polling numbers. In his parting remarks, he endorsed Sloane, describing her as a "great communicator" with "enormous potential" who could "clear the air" for the party.

Who is Kellie Sloane?

Kellie Sloane brings a different profile to the leadership role. Before entering politics in the 2023 state election, she had a distinguished career in media spanning nearly two decades, working as a reporter and presenter for major networks including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the Nine Network. Following her media career, she transitioned to the non-profit sector, serving as the CEO of Life Education NSW and later Life Education Australia, a prominent children's health and education charity. This background, her supporters argue, equips her with strong communication skills and a deep understanding of community issues, which will be crucial in her new role.

Elected to the safe Liberal seat of Vaucluse in March 2023, Sloane quickly rose through the ranks, serving as the Shadow Minister for the Environment and, more recently, as the Shadow Minister for Health. She is identified with the moderate faction of the Liberal Party. In her first press conference as leader, Sloane emphasized her commitment to focusing on the cost of living, housing, and energy, stating her intention to lead a "positive, bold and ambitious" opposition.

The Political Context and Challenges Ahead

Sloane takes the helm at a challenging time for the NSW Liberals. The party is in opposition after losing the 2023 state election to the Labor Party, led by Premier Chris Minns. Recent polls have shown the Coalition's primary vote at a low of 28%, indicating a significant challenge to win back public support before the next election in 2027. Mark Speakman attributed some of the party's struggles to "brand damage" from the federal Liberal Party, which has also faced electoral setbacks.

A key challenge for Sloane will be to unify a party that has seen internal friction and to distinguish the NSW Liberals from their federal counterparts, particularly on contentious issues like climate change. While the federal party has wavered on its commitment to net-zero emissions, Sloane has affirmed that the NSW Liberals will stick to the target. Her leadership will be tested on her ability to connect with a broad range of voters, including younger generations and multicultural communities, which Speakman had identified as crucial for the party's revival.

Relevance for Kenya and East Africa

While this is a domestic Australian political story, it holds relevance for Kenya. Australia is a significant partner for Kenya within the Commonwealth, with deepening ties in trade, education, and security. In 2024, two-way trade surpassed AUD$1 billion (approximately KES 85 billion). Australia is also a popular destination for Kenyan students, with nearly 10,000 enrolled in Australian institutions in 2024, and home to a growing Kenyan diaspora of over 20,000 people.

Political leadership changes in key partner countries are important to monitor as they can influence foreign policy and bilateral priorities. The Liberal Party is one of Australia's two major political parties, and its leadership and policy direction can shape the country's international engagement. Kenya's diplomatic missions in Canberra will be observing Sloane's policy positions, particularly on international trade, foreign aid, and immigration, which directly affect the thousands of Kenyans living, studying, and doing business in Australia. The stability and policy direction of a key Australian state like New South Wales, a major economic hub, are pertinent to the broader Australia-Kenya relationship, which both nations have recently pledged to strengthen.