The South Australian Liberal party has elected former environment minister David Speirs as its new leader.
Mr Speirs was voted in by his colleagues on Tuesday morning at Parliament House, and replaces Steven Marshall, who announced he would step down as Liberal leader after Labor won the state election last month.
Mr Speirs won by a landslide 18 votes, beating former speaker Josh Teague who received five votes and South-east MP Nick McBride who received one.
He began his career in state politics in 2014 after being voted in as the member for the former electorate of Bright.
He later became Minister environment and water when the Liberals held power from 2018 and remains the member for the Black electorate in Adelaide’s south west.
Former Premier Steven Marshall issued a statement earlier, saying he was proud to have led the Liberals and be elected as premier back in 2018.
Mr Marshall had announced he would stand down as Liberal leader following his party’s landslide defeat to Labor, led by Peter Malinauskas, in March.
He said he was “confident” his party would be re-elected to government in 2026.
“It has been the greatest privilege to serve South Australians over the last nine years and to lead the state as Premier through one of the most important and difficult periods in recent history,” the former premier said.
“We accomplished incredible things as a Liberal government and, despite the challenges caused by Covid-19, worked tirelessly to ensure South Australia emerges from the pandemic stronger than ever.
“We can hold our heads high knowing we have left South Australia in a better place than when we formed government in 2018.
“I look forward to the future and watching the Liberal Party progress further under the guidance of a new leader.”
Mr Marshall had clung on to his seat over Labor’s Cressida O’Hanlon with a 0.5 per cent margin.
He will continue to work as the representative of his electorate of Dunstan, in Adelaide’s east.
SA Labor won majority government with 27 seats, while the Liberals claimed 16 and four are held by independents.
