Mike Smithson: Antic’s conservative shrapnel draws Liberal blood
The state Liberal party’s so-called broad church has left some true believers crying in the chapel after a weekend preselection tempest.
But was it also a sure sign that an emerging group of loyalists has been shot down in flames?
A winner takes all vote was held for the Legislative Council ticket which coughed up a mixed bag result but strangely reflected a steady as she goes approach.
Despite a tussle between extreme conservatives, ordinary conservatives, centre right representatives and the once dominant moderates, little has changed.
Ben Hood remains in top position, Heidi Girolamo was voted into second spot, followed by Rowan Mumford, Thea Hennessey, KD Singh and Belinda Crawford-Marshall.
Only the top two are arguably household names with Mumford also vaguely familiar being a former state party president, with the rest not ringing any bells except for those within the party.
On current polling trends, only the first three will be elected next March, with the others disappearing into the political ether.
But it’s what you can’t readily see in the build-up and aftermath which should be of key interest.
Behind the scenes the Libs had been running the risk, yet again, of tearing themselves apart.
Senator Alex Antic has been a powerful and growing force, both in Canberra and at state level, ever since he fell over the line in the 2019 federal election.
His arch conservative values were always going to throw a grenade into Liberal ranks, but the current shrapnel was causing massive internal bleeding.
His supporters were given a very specific instruction before voting last Saturday.
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“This is the voting order I recommend to you,” his ticket read.
Three of his top four failed to impress those casting a vote with Hood the only light to shine in top spot.
The capable and likeable Girolamo climbed three spots from Antic’s desired result, which is telling in many ways.
It was a result which had the centre of the party cheering loudly but also angry that it even got to this point.
One dyed-in-the-wool Liberal told me the result was a clear indication that Antic is on the wane, and his influence is exposed.
Another said he’s got lots of people very angry and his views are getting even more extreme.
“He wants complete domination and demands complete loyalty,” they said.
But in some ways, the faction-riven Liberals have needed a shake-up for years.
Antic, at least, has got off his backside and enlisted new members, many from SA’s Pentecostal religious belt and now has them as his firm followers.
He’s undoubtedly astute, articulate and influential after a relatively short political career.
He’s now also one of the most talked about and recognisable names in politics, but will that win the day for him or the Liberal Party?
Not if my mail from various concerned party members, both elected and rank and file, is any indication.
Some are certain the weekend result will loudly tell him that he’s a spent force.
But I doubt that.
One told me his crash or crash through approach was always going to be his downfall.
“This is a wake-up call for the party,” they said.
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“Alex thinks people will follow him over a cliff.
“But there are not enough spots in parliament for him to get what he wants because the maths just doesn’t add up.”
The searing Upper House issue is destined to settle before the state election as those landing another eight-year job will say what is done, is done and move on.
The preferred Antic candidates at the bottom half of the ticket are already resigned to missing out on the parliamentary prize and will also chart their employment course elsewhere.
I’m reliably told one of the Antic-faithful stormed out of the gathering when they saw the writing on the wall.
But spot fires smoulder across the Liberal landscape.
The publicised speculation that Nicolle Flint will challenge fellow conservative Tony Pasin for preselection in the blue-ribbon federal seat of Barker seems absurd.
Supposedly they’re both on the same side, unless someone has leaked the suggestion to fan more flames of discontent.
Meanwhile, Labor sits back and happily watches the turmoil unfold.
There’s barely a media conference these days when Tom Koutsantonis doesn’t remind the media that “Alex Antic is running the state Liberal Party.”
Koutsantonis will always dramatically emphasise his grave concerns about any Liberal turmoil, while secretly laughing his socks off underneath.
It also makes the challenge for state leader Vincent Tarzia even more difficult than it already is.
The last thing he needs, six months out from an election, is behind-closed-doors warfare within the ranks.
So, my considered view is the Liberals are, or were, on the edge of a precarious and unstable steep cliff.
It’s not whether they’ll win the hearts and minds of voters to steal victory from Labor next March, but more a case of surviving a potential civil war.
The weekend result and turmoil could be a blessing in disguise.
They would prefer to keep these squabbles out of the public gaze, but it’s far too late for that.
Voters have a right to know what’s on offer when they cast their vote and will their hard- earned taxes be entrusted with the right people.
Yes, this weekend has been a wake-up call for the Libs, and it might also prove to be an equally valuable “grow up” call for others as well.
Mike Smithson is weekend presenter and political analyst for 7News.
