SA Liberal leaders Jing Lee MLC, Vincent Tarzia MP, John Gardner MP and Nicola Centofanti MLC. Photo: @SALibMedia.
Member for Hartley, Vincent Tarzia, has emerged as the new leader of the South Australian Liberal Party, following the resignation of David Speirs MP.
Liberal whip Laura Henderson told media the results of a joint party room meeting, which saw Mr Tarzia elected as the new Opposition Leader with 18 votes – ahead of the four received by shadow Attorney-General Josh Teague MP.
At his first media conference, Mr Tarzia said he was honoured to have been elected and was humbled by the show of confidence in him from his Liberal Party colleagues.
“What we have today is an opportunity to refresh, refocus, recalibrate, and make sure we do everything possible to help South Australians,” he said.
“I’m going to work hard every day with a strong team behind me to take up the fight to Labor and to make sure that the Liberal Party wins the state election in 2026.”
Prior to entering South Australian Parliament in 2014, Mr Tarzia worked in the financial, legal and commercial sectors. He also served in local government as a councillor for the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters.
In May 2018 he became the youngest speaker in South Australia’s history, serving in the House of Assembly until July 2020. When his term expired, Mr Tarzia was appointed minister for police, emergency services and correctional services under the then-Liberal government.
On top of now being Opposition Leader, he is also responsible for the Shadow Ministries of Road Safety; Infrastructure and Transport; and Sport, Recreation and Racing.
An immigrant who landed in Hallett Cove from Scotland, David Speirs says he “can’t believe the opportunities” he’s had. Photo: David Speirs MP Facebook.
During his first media conference, Mr Tarzia said fixing the state’s ramping crisis was one of his priorities.
In extending an “olive branch” to the Ambulance Employees Association, he called back to the former Liberal leader’s accusation that South Australia’s Labor Government had committed “electoral fraud” by not fulfilling its promise to resolve the issue.
Last Friday the Member for Black, David Speirs, stood down as the South Australian Liberal Party leader.
“I have used the mid-winter break to reflect on my priorities and to speak with family and friends at length about my future,” said Mr Speirs. “Ultimately, I want to spend more quality time with them and the demands of the role as leader makes this difficult.
“With just over 18 months until the next state election, I feel now is the right time to depart from the role and give the next leader the best possible opportunity to succeed in 2026.”
Mr Speirs said he was proud of the achievements made during his time as leader, especially in rebuilding the party following its “devastating” 2022 state election loss.
“South Australians are doing it tough right now and they deserve a better state government that will put them first.
“I look forward to playing my part in supporting the next leader of the Liberal Party in offering a fresh and strong alternative government to the people of South Australia.”
