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Vincent Tarzia has quit as South Australia’s Liberal leader, little more than a year after replacing disgraced MP David Speirs.
Tarzia was elected leader in August 2024 and has faced weeks of speculation that the party was pushing for the Opposition’s health spokesperson, Ashton Hurn, to take over ahead of the March state election.
Tarzia is the third state Liberal to lose the leadership in as many weeks.
In a candid statement on Friday, Tarzia made it clear that his decision to step down was not due to pressure from his peers. He remarked, “There’s a reason why they say it is the worst job in politics,” hinting at the inherent challenges of his role.
“It’s been a very challenging and demanding role,” Tarzia said, noting he had children aged four years and five months.
In June, a YouGov poll showed South Australian Premier and state Labor leader Peter Malinauskas leading Tarzia as preferred premier by a 58-point margin, 72 per cent to 14 per cent.
YouGov’s director of public data Paul Smith said at the time Labor was heading for its biggest win in South Australian electoral history.
“A uniform swing of 12.4 per cent would see 11 of the 13 Liberal MPs lose their seats, including Vincent Tarzia, leaving the Liberals with only two MPs in parliament,” he said.
Meanwhile, the political landscape shifted back in August 2024 when SA Liberal leader Speirs decided to relinquish his position. His departure came amidst persistent rumors and speculation regarding his leadership capabilities. In a turn of events, Speirs faced legal troubles as he was later charged with supplying drugs, to which he pleaded guilty in March.
Tarzia said he had only decided on Friday morning to step down and was “not bitter at all”.
“Whilst it has been a sad moment to move on from this role, I’m very calm and I want to make sure that I help and support the next leader of the Liberal Party going forward.
“I look forward to continuing to represent the electorate of Hartley and I wish my party colleagues and supporters all the best.”
