The Northern Territory's Country Liberal Party has elected a new president after former head Jamie De Brenni resigned at a party meeting on Saturday morning.
Mr De Brenni's departure comes amid concerns over the party's membership and a federal review which could see it stripped of its federal party status.
Fiona Darcy, a party vice president until Saturday, was elected to the top role at the party's central council meeting in Palmerston.
"I have been a member of the Country Liberal Party for 30 years and over those decades have held many senior roles," Ms Darcy said in a statement.
"My goal as party president is to ensure that we are supporting our federal candidates so that the Territory has the best representation in Canberra as part of a Morrison-led Coalition Government, and then looking to ensure we are ready to govern in 2024."
Shaky start to 2022 for CLP
The new president takes the reins during a shaky period for the party, sparked in part by the resignation of the CLP's only sitting federal member, Senator Sam McMahon, last month.
Ms McMahon, who now sits on the crossbench, split from the party citing internal complaints she said she had put to the party's management, but which had not been resolved.
The Australian Electoral Commission earlier this week confirmed a review into the party was underway following concerns the CLP may not have the 1,500 members required to remain registered federally.
If the party loses its federal status, its candidates in the upcoming federal election would be listed on the ballot paper as independents.
Mr De Brenni has previously said he was confident the Country Liberal Party would retain its federal status though its affiliation with the Coalition.
The party was also forced to reprimand vice-president Jed Hansen last month after he spoke at a rally protesting the Northern Territory government's COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Some outgoing members have told the ABC the party's support for vaccine mandates had triggered several resignations.
Parliamentary leader Lia Finocchiaro on Saturday thanked Mr De Brenni for his work.
"Jamie is a CLP stalwart and I was proud to work with him during his term as president" Mrs Finocchiaro said in a statement.
"It is a great opportunity for Fiona Darcy to take the reigns as we head towards the Federal election and I look forward to working with her.
"Fiona's decades of experience and passion for the Territory will make her a fabulous party president."
