South Australian Liberal Party Chooses New 1st-Term, Female Leader

Shadow Health Minister Ashton Hurn has been chosen to lead the South Australian Liberal Party to the 2026 state election barely four months away.

Hurn was elected unopposed on Dec. 8 after former leader Vincent Tarzia stepped down on Dec. 5 to spend more time with his family.

“The party room and my colleagues unanimously supported me to be their leader to take the party to the next election which is just 103 days away,”  she told reporters.

“I’d like to take this moment to sincerely thank our former leader Vincent Tarzia for his dedication and his service over the last 16 months.”

Hurn is the third female leader in a month to take over the leadership of a state Liberal Party, following Kellie Sloane in New South Wales and Jess Wilson in Victoria.

Hurn was elected as the Member for Schubert in 2022 and was quickly promoted to the shadow health portfolio.

Before entering politics, she served as the director of communications for Liberal Premier Steven Marshall during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked for Federal Ministers.

She hails from the Barossa Valley within her electorate and was a former state league netballer. Her brother Shannon Hurn, captained the West Coast Eagles in the AFL for five seasons and played 333 games.

Hurn told reporters there was “no doubt” the Liberal Party has an absolute mountain to climb between now and next March.

“But my team and I are absolutely committed to making sure that we get to work for the people of South Australia and that we provide them with a real choice at the next election,” she said.

Hurn decided to run for leader after being encouraged by her colleagues over the weekend.

Former Leader Steps Down Amid Poor Polling

The former leader Tarzia made the decision to resign amid YouGov polling in June showing current Premier Peter Malinauskas leading by a massive 72 to 14 percent.

Polling also suggested that the Liberals could lose several more seats in March.

“There’s a reason why they say it’s the worst job in politics. It’s been a very challenging role but it’s also been an absolute privilege,” Tarzia said.

“I look forward to continuing to represent the electorate of Hartley and I wish my party colleagues and supporters all the best,”  he said.

Women now lead several Liberal Party oppositions across the country including Sussan Ley federally, Sloane, Wilson, and now Hurn.

This is the third leadership change for the South Australian Liberal Party since 2022.

David Speirs resigned in August 2024 following cocaine possession allegations.

In response, Premier Malinauskas told reporters on Dec. 7 he was focused on his own job.

“I’m working on what I can do as premier of the state to advance the interests of South Australia and all of the people that live within it,” he told reporters.