NSW Liberal leader vows to unite party despite federal takeover

Mark Speakman says he had been left in the dark about a temporary federal executive takeover following the party's council nominations fiasco.

Transcript

00:00Mark Speakman asserted himself.

00:04A Labor minister yesterday told me that I was a resilient bastard.

00:08Before the 40-minute barrage began.

00:10Speakman had no idea.

00:12Hang on, you're all firing questions at me one at a time.

00:14He says the Federal Party's move yesterday to take over the State Division blindsided him.

00:20I was unaware that this proposal was going to be put to Federal Executive.

00:24The Executive announced Victorian Party elders Alan Stockdale and Richard Alston

00:29and former NSW frontbencher Rob Stokes would be appointed to run the State Party.

00:34But that was news to Mr Stokes who later told the ABC he was not in a position to do so.

00:40He indicated a happiness to serve.

00:42In private discussions I had about his name and other names that was conveyed.

00:46But what has happened is someone has jumped the gun and put his name forward.

00:50NSW put forward Mr Stokes' name.

00:53He wasn't available as it turns out and that's fine.

00:57They forgot to ask him so he's not available.

01:01I mean this is a farce.

01:03This was the first time Mr Speakman fronted the cameras since former Liberal MP Rory Amon

01:07was charged on Friday with child sex offences which Mr Amon denies.

01:12I did not know and I did not hear of any suggestion that he had engaged in any illegal conduct.

01:18The headaches are mounting for the Liberal Party as it fights to keep three seats at by-elections next month.

01:24We've just got to put that behind us and battle on because the stakes are so high for the people of NSW.

01:29I think I'll leave it there. The Clare mining is closed.

01:32The opposition leader facing the ultimate test of his resilience.