Former South Australian environment minister David Speirs has promised to "rebuild the Liberal Party," after being elected its new leader at a joint partyroom meeting this morning.
Mr Speirs will replace former premier Steven Marshall, who resigned as party leader after last month's state election loss.
Mr Speirs comprehensively won the ballot, securing 18 votes to Josh Teague's five and Nick McBride's one.
"It is an honour to be elected as the leader of the South Australian Liberal Party and I look forward to immediately getting to work and developing a new vision for this great state," Mr Speirs said.
"We represent a fresh, diverse, unified team which will rebuild the Liberal Party, will cast an alternative vision for the state of South Australia, and will provide a fresh approach to what leadership looks like – not just in our party, but in our state."
Former education minister John Gardner has been elected Deputy Leader.
The changes to the leadership team continued with the appointment of Nicola Centofanti as Leader in the Legislative Council, and Jing Lee as Deputy Leader.
Ms Centofanti said she believed the party did "very well" in encouraging women to stand for leadership positions.
"Standing as a woman in this team, I'm really proud to be here. I'm really looking forward to the future and I'm really looking forward to the state election in 2026," she said.
Two Liberal MPs were absent from this morning’s joint partyroom ballot – former Deputy Premier Vickie Chapman, who is travelling interstate, and the Member for Hammond, Adrian Pederick, who has COVID-19.
Both are understood to have voted by proxy.
Speirs promises 'centrist' leadership
Mr Speirs is considered a non-aligned conservative, but today promised South Australians he would adopt a centrist policy agenda.
"I think you can expect a traditional centre-right approach from my term as leader, I think most Australians want a party that’s pretty much politically centre," he said.
Mr Speirs added the environment would remain high on his agenda, but did not commit to keeping his former portfolio.
"From a social point of view, there are no particular issues that I expect to be chasing down. I have particular views about legislation that was presented to the parliament, that was between me and my conscience last year."
Mr Speirs was among a handful of Liberal and Labor MPs who voted against legislation that sought to decriminalise abortion.
“When it comes to amendments to those items, my voting record was very, very similar to Peter Malinauskas," he said.
Mr Speirs today sought to dispel suggestions of ongoing rancour between factions within the party, and described the "broad church that this party is" as "a great strength."
The full shadow cabinet is expected to be announced later this week.
Marshall defends legacy as he steps down
Earlier the joint partyroom was addressed by former Premier and outgoing leader Steven Marshall, who congratulated the party’s newly elected members Laura Curran, Penny Pratt, Sam Telfer and Ashton Hurn.
Mr Marshall told MPs he was “looking forward” to a post-election conference of Liberal MPs to be held next week.
In a statement issued by Mr Marshall this morning, he said serving South Australians over nine years as Liberal leader and four years as premier had been the "greatest privilege."
"I am confident the Liberal Party will return to government in 2026, to achieve the best outcomes for South Australians."
The party will now vote on deputy leader.
