Overview
- Speakman stepped down after cancelling afternoon media interviews and then confirming his exit at a 5pm press conference.
- Kellie Sloane is widely reported to have the numbers and will stand for the leadership, while Alister Henskens has been canvassing support without a clear majority.
- Moderate and centre‑right figures, including Chris Rath, James Wallace and Scott Farlow, held urgent late‑night talks with Speakman before his reversal.
- An extraordinary party‑room vote is expected as early as Friday, which can proceed if the deputy calls it or 11 MPs request it in writing.
- Colleagues point to the Coalition’s primary vote near 28%, federal‑level brand damage and tensions over net‑zero policy, as the Nationals also shifted to new leader Gurmesh Singh.