Vincent Tarzia relinquishes Liberal leadership
In a shock announcement, Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia has told media he is stepping down after weeks of speculation, saying he only reached the decision “this morning”.
SA Liberal Leader Vincent Tarzia is stepping down to focus on his young family and his local community, taking effect at 5pm today.
Tarzia said in a statement that the decision was made after careful reflection between leading the party, serving the people of Hartley, and being present for his wife Charissa, along with his young children aged four years and five months.
“I look forward to continuing to represent the electorate of Hartley and I wish my party colleagues and supporters all the best,” he said, adding no colleague had pushed him to step down.
Tarzia would again stand for the seat of Hartley at next year’s state election, saying “it was a sad day” and he only reached his decision this morning and that “I’m not bitter at all, I’m calm”.
The move comes after weeks of speculation that party members were pushing for Health spokesperson Ashton Hurn to take the reins in the lead up to next year’s state election.
At a joint press conference with Hurn last Wednesday, both rejected any prospect of leadership change before next March’s state election.
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It has been a tumultuous time for the Liberal Leader after he took the party’s top job when former leader David Speirs resigned from parliament in August last year, at the time Tarzia said this was his opportunity to “refresh” and “refocus”.
He had beaten fellow contender Josh Teague by 18 votes to four at a Liberal party room meeting.
“What we have today is an opportunity to refresh, refocus, recalibrate, and make sure we do everything possible to help South Australians,” Mr Tarzia said at the time.
However, his leadership has constantly been undermined by leaks and speculation with the latest rumours swirling over the past few weeks.
Tarzia and his wife announced the arrival of their second child Raphael in July.
“Obviously, the party is going through some challenges right now,” Tarzia said today, adding that it was the right time to leave and he would support the next leader.
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Tarzia said there would now be a party room meeting to elect a new leader, adding that “I expect it to happen certainly by Monday”.
“I wanted to make sure I’ve given clear air for that next leader as we come into Christmas to rearrange their offices, sort out the things that they need to sort as we lead into an election next year,” he said.
Asked if he expected Hurn to take over as the next party leader, he said, “There are a number of talented party members that could be the next leader of the party”.
“We’ll have those conversations respectfully, be a team and pick our next leader, and we’ll get on with it,” he said.
In terms of whether he would accept a shadow portfolio under the next Liberal leader, Tarzia said, “ultimately that should be up to the next leader to decide the team that they want in the lead up to the election”.
It was in 2014 that Tarzia was first elected to parliament. He was made Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services Minister in 2020.
In May 2018, he was elected as the 35th Speaker of the House of Assembly – the youngest in South Australian history – serving until July 2020.
Tarzia has a Bachelor of Commerce (Corporate Finance), Bachelor of Law, and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Adelaide.
Prior to politics, Vincent worked in the financial, legal and commercial sectors. He also served as a Councillor for the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters in 2010.
