Shock resignation of long-term SA Liberal
Another long-term Liberal connected with conservative power broker Tony Pasin has quit the party after 20 years.
Long-term Liberal Party executive leader Lachlan Haynes has quit his federal and state executive roles after what is believed to be a surprise lack of support in his bid for the southeast seat of MacKillop.
It is understood Haynes, who has previously worked in federal Barker member Tony Pasin’s electorate office in both 2018 and 2023 was disillusioned after failing to win support for the key state seat.
Haynes resigned on December 15 from his roles as federal and state Rural and Regional chair – jobs that had him sitting on the Liberal party’s federal and state executive councils.
This morning, Haynes also quit the Liberal Party.
An email sent to InDaily by one party member said: “there is significant concern among some party members regarding the circumstances surrounding his departure, particularly given his long-standing service and loyalty to senior figures within the Party, especially Tony Pasin, for whom he has previously worked in his electorate office”.
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Naracoorte local Haynes nominated for Liberal preselection in the seat of MacKillop, initially contesting the position against Pentecostal church member Matt Neuman, who is understood to be one of federal Senator Alex Antic’s recruits.
Nominations were understood to have reopened after two days when Robe-born Rebekah Rosser – who works on the Liberal Secretariat – stood and won preselection.
One Liberal party member believed that Haynes shared “growing internal concern… that the Party’s focus has shifted away from electoral success and towards factional manoeuvring”.
When asked about his resignation by InDaily, Haynes said the decision was not connected with the recent election of Ashton Hurn as the new leader of the Liberal Party in South Australia.
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“Most of the membership and people in the Liberal Party are good, hardworking people and I wish them all the best,” Haynes said.
“There’s probably much I could say but I won’t get involved in specific details except that I am pleased with my decision and yes, I have had a long involvement with the party.
“My timing should not be in any way seen as a commentary on Ashton’s leadership, I wish her and the party all the best.”
Concerns were also raised by the party member in the email about Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty – who has worked for federal Liberal upper house member Alex Antic – failing to win enough support in his bid for pre-selection for the state’s upper house at the next State Election.
When asked about the resignation, Federal Barker MP and conservative powerbroker Tony Pasin said he provided an endorsement for both Haynes and Matt Neumann for pre-selection and that Neumann and his wife, Janine, had since voiced their support for the winning candidate.
“I wrote Lachy an endorsement for pre-selection and he included that with his materials,” Pasin said.
“I think Lachy has been looking for someone to blame and maybe he should be looking closer to home.
“People think preselection should be won by kingmakers… pre-selection should be won by the people standing for preselection.”
While Liberal Party state director Alexander Hyde said all positions within the party’s membership were volunteer roles.
“While it is disappointing for office bearers to resign a few months into their term and in an election year, they are welcome to rearrange their time if they wish,” he said.
“Comments by unnamed Liberal sources so close to the election reflect more on the individual commentator than anyone else, and should be viewed accordingly.”
