Mark Speakman stands down as leader of NSW Liberals with Kellie Sloane expected to replace him

Opposition leader says ‘brand damage’ from the federal Liberals had colleagues looking for generational change and endorses Sloane as replacementFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe New South Wales Liberals are expected to choose former journalist and first-term MP Kellie Sloane on Friday to replace Mark Speakman as the state’s opposition leader, after Speakman bowed to pressure on Thursday night and resigned.Speakman, who began the day defending his leadership in a round of media interviews, stepped down at 5pm saying he had been visited by Sloane who had said she wanted to be leader. Continue reading…