THE SA Liberal Party has elected its new leader, after former Premier Steven Marshall announced his resignation from the role in the wake of the state election last month.
Former environment minister David Speirs sailed into the leadership in a convincing win over South East MP Nick McBride and former speaker Josh Teague.
The leadership was announced this morning, after a vote which lasted just half an hour.
Mr Speirs was the clear winner on 18 votes, while Mr Teague received five and Mr McBride just one.
Member for Morialta and former education minister John Gardener was chosen as the party's deputy leader with 11 votes over Tim Whetstone on three and Vincent Tarzia on two.
MLC Nicola Centofanti will lead the Upper House with Jing Lee by her side as deputy.
In a press conference this morning, Mr Speirs said the leadership group represented a fresh, diverse and unified team.
"Which will rebuild the Liberal Party, will cast an alternative vision for the state of SA and will provide a fresh approach to what leadership looks like not just in our party but in our state," he said.
"I am not about keeping this seat warm for the future, I am about giving this job my all and working with John and Nicola and Jing and the wider parliamentary party and the membership of the Liberal Party of SA as well as my federal colleagues to give this party the best shot that it possibly can to reconnect with South Australians and lead us to victory in the March 2026 election."
Mr Gardener welcomed Mr Speirs into his new role.
"I think my skills and my experiences are able to serve the Liberal Party and the people of SA as deputy leader of the opposition very well," he said.
"David will be an outstanding leader of the Liberal Party in the years ahead and indeed a future premier of SA."
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Katie Jackson
Journalist at Stock Journal. Born into a journo family in the state's South East, Katie made the move to the big smoke to join the team in early 2022 after seven years spent at various mastheads in the regions.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Born into a journo family in the state's South East, Katie made the move to the big smoke to join the team in early 2022 after seven years spent at various mastheads in the regions.
