First-term MPs elevated to Libs’ ‘youthful’ frontbench
Three former ministers have quit the Liberals’ frontbench to make way for four first-term MPs in what Opposition leader David Speirs describes as a “fresh-faced” new shadow ministry featuring just under 50 portfolios.
New MP and former Marshall government media advisor Ashton Hurn will take over the health portfolio from ex-minister Stephen Wade, promising to hold the Labor government to account on a decisive election pledge to fix the ambulance ramping crisis.
She will be aided by fellow first-term MP Penny Pratt, who has been appointed shadow minister for regional health services, ageing, and preventative health and wellbeing.
Other new MPs to be elevated include former Tumby Bay Mayor and Local Government Association president Sam Telfer, who will take on the local government, regional population growth and regional planning portfolios, while fledgling MLC Laura Curran will serve as parliamentary secretary to shadow Attorney-General Josh Teague.
The new appointments come at the cost of former ministers Wade, David Pisoni and David Basham.
“I wanted to be the only David in the cabinet, so I thought the other two Davids – there just wasn’t a place for them,” Speirs joked, before confirming they had volunteered to be stood down from the frontbench.
“They wanted to concentrate on supporting the team (by) providing mentorship and looking after their electorates.
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“Some of those people had fairly close-run election results on the 19th of March and so they wanted to really return to their electorates, spend more time connecting with the communities that elected them in March.”
Asked if he would have made room for former Attorney-General Vickie Chapman on his frontbench had she not taken the decision earlier this week to step down from politics amid accusations of a feud between the pair, Speirs said: “There could very well have been a place for Vickie Chapman on the shadow cabinet”.
“She had immense experience, she has contributed a lot to the party, to the state,” he said.
“I hope Vickie will continue to mentor some of the people in the shadow cabinet, some of the people in parliament.
“She’s made an indication that she’d love to get alongside the younger women in the team and provide them with support and the benefit of her experience and I welcome that 100 per cent.”
The Opposition Leader, who has himself retained the environment portfolio he held in Government, described his new frontbench as “fresh-faced” and “youthful”, noting five of his appointed shadow ministers are aged in their 30s.
“There’s people from all walks of life, different backgrounds – it’s really a shadow cabinet that moves forward, moves the Liberal party forward,” he said.
“I am Leader of the Opposition, the youngest leader of the Liberal party in our state’s history. I’m 37.
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“I was able to be a pretty successful minister, I think, for four years in my 30s and I look forward to the people who are standing behind me and the other members of the shadow cabinet providing a really exciting alternative vision for the state of South Australia.”
The full Liberal frontbench includes:
- David Speirs: Leader of the Opposition, shadow minister for environment, small and family business, public service and disability
- John Gardner: Deputy Leader of the Opposition, shadow minister for education, training and skills, and arts and festivals
- Nicola Centofanti: Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, shadow minister for regional South Australia, primary industries, water resources and the River Murray
- Jing Lee: Shadow minister for multicultural South Australia, communities, tourism and hospitality
- Michelle Lensink: Shadow minister for planning, social and community housing, housing affordability and urban development, and women
- Ashton Hurn: Shadow minister for health
- Vincent Tarzia: Shadow minister for infrastructure and transport, and sport, recreation and racing
- Stephen Patterson: Shadow minister for energy and net zero, mining, and defence and space industries
- Josh Teague: Shadow Attorney-General, shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs, child protection and the prevention of family and domestic violence
- Matt Cowdrey: Shadow treasurer
- Penny Pratt: Shadow minister for regional health services, ageing, and preventative health and wellbeing
- Heidi Girolamo: Shadow minister for finance, trade and investment, and the circular economy
- Tim Whetstone: Shadow minister for police and community safety, road safety, corrections, and mental health and suicide prevention
- Adrian Pederick: Shadow minister for veterans affairs, emergency services and regional roads
- Sam Telfer: Shadow minister for local government, regional population growth and regional planning
- Nick McBride: Shadow parliamentary secretary for regional engagement
- Laura Curran: Shadow parliamentary secretary to the shadow Attorney-General
- Dennis Hood: Shadow cabinet secretary
Cowdrey and Girolamo’s appointments were announced by the party last night.
Asked on ABC Radio Adelaide this morning if he threatened before the March election to not run in his seat of Colton if wasn’t promoted to the frontbench, Cowdrey did not answer directly, saying he was “very keen to contribute in a greater way”.
“There’s always points in time where you take reflection and you look at what you’re doing and how you contribute and, as I’ve said, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed what I’m doing,” he said.
“I look forward to contributing in a greater way moving forward.”
The Paralympian-turned-politician told reporters later this morning that he could “absolutely 100 per cent” rule out suggestions he threatened to not run.
“Prior to the last election did I seek an indication from the then Premier about what my future may hold? Absolutely I did,” he said.
“I don’t make any apologies for wanting to serve my community to the best ability that I possibly have, but in regards to making threats that’s certainly not what I’m about.”
