Brogden Defeats Chikarovski 15-14 To Become Youngest Ever Liberal Leader

The NSW Parliamentary Liberal Party has dumped Kerry Chikarovski as its leader, replacing her with John Brogden. The vote was 15 to 14. Brogden turns 33 today and will become the youngest ever leader of the Liberal Party at the State or Federal level.

Chikarovski became leader in 1998, deposing Peter Collins just months before the State election. She went down to a severe defeat at the hands of the ALP's Bob Carr. Her leadership has been subject to questioning ever since.

Brogden's narrow win comes as Liberals such as the former Premier, Nick Greiner, and party fundraiser, Michael Yabsley, have warned that the party is unable to raise funds from the NSW business community because it is not regarded as offering a viable or credible alternative to the ALP.

Brogden has been the member for Pittwater since May 1996.

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja is the youngest person ever to be chosen as a party leader. She was 31 years old when elected a year ago.

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