The Canberra Liberals have faced another shock loss as former deputy opposition leader Giulia Jones has resigned as a member of the ACT Legislative Assembly.
The resignation will trigger a recount in the ACT seat of Murrumbidgee and will represent a major shake-up to the Liberals party room.
Mrs Jones said her decision to leave was due to family commitments and health reasons. She has been absent in the Assembly since January, when she quit as the Canberra Liberals deputy leader.
But she also said she had been "subject to abuse and attacks in many forms both inside and outside the Parliament".
Mrs Jones will formally resign next week and the recount is expected to take place in the weeks after.
Candidates who stood for Murrumbidgee will be asked if they wish to stand again for the recount. Liberal candidate Amardeep Singh would be the most likely replacement but an independent challenger could also stand a chance.
The Liberals were fielding interest from its candidates on Tuesday.
Independent candidate Fiona Carrick confirmed she would be involved in the count back. Ms Carrick received 7 per cent of the primary vote in 2020 and could possibly be elected, although her chances are incredibly small.
Mrs Jones said in a statement that she would continue to be a member of the Liberal Party and she was proud of the work she had done over the past decade.
"As I reflect on my time in the Assembly, I was proud to be part of the first all-female leadership team of the Canberra Liberals, serving as deputy leader and shadow minister for health during the most aggressive phase of the global pandemic," she said.
But Mrs Jones also said during her time in the Assembly she had faced abuse and attacks from both inside and outside the Assembly.
"As with all politicians, I have experienced great privilege and opportunity in this role. I have also been subject to abuse and attacks in many forms from both inside and outside the Parliament," she said.
"I hope I have held myself to a higher standard and treated all my opponents with grace and dignity, despite our differences of professional and personal opinion."
The resignation also comes amid upheaval within the local Liberal branches, following the expected electoral loss of Senator Zed Seselja.
Mrs Jones is a conservative but it she is not close with Senator Seselja. There are tensions between the pair and it is understood they have fallen out.
It is also understood there had also been a number of disagreements between Mrs Jones and Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee prior to her stepping down from the deputy role.
Mrs Jones has been on leave since January and was expected to remain on leave until July but said she planned to give a valedictory speech during next week's sitting.
Ms Lee said she wished Mrs Jones and her family the best.
"Giulia has fought tirelessly on a number of local issues that were of great importance to our community," Ms Lee said.
"This includes her fierce advocacy for shops at Coombs and Molonglo Valley and better community facilities for people at Woden.
"Giulia will be remembered for her fierce advocacy for women and families and was a great role model for working mums."
ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury also acknowledged Mrs Jones, saying she had shown dedication to her belies and community.
"Giulia has shown a real dedication to her beliefs and her community since she entered the Assembly in 2012 and she always brought a real conviction to debates in the Assembly," he said.
"We wish Mrs Jones and her family the best for the future, without the time and work pressures that being an elected representative of our community can bring."
