David Penberthy | Two reasons the Liberal Party in SA is stuffed – Premier Peter Malinauskas and themselves

It’s been a political comedy show this week, writes David Penberthy – starting with David Speirs issuing an apology for losing the seat of Dunstan, and then almost winning it.

What a week it has been for us nerds with an interest in politics. The laughs have been coming thick and fast from the Liberal side. How else to describe a week which began with poor old David Speirs issuing a public apology for losing the seat of Dunstan so badly, and then almost winning it.

Election night is often described as the one time during the parliamentary term when politicians tell the truth when the results come in. One lesson for the Liberals – and particularly David Speirs – is that it might be best to wait a bit longer for the actual result before launching into several days of public self-flagellation.

Aside from his election night apology for what looked at first blush like a complete humiliation, Speirs also declared his admiration for the unity Labor enjoys under Peter Malinauskas’ leadership, admitted that he’d thought about quitting as leader, and canvassed the introduction of a formal ALP-style factional system in the Liberal Party.

Other than all that, everything is going exactly to plan.

Opposition leader David Speirs is under fire after the Dunstan seat loss. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

The biggest risk for the Liberal Party in SA is that they will reflect on their 11th-hour surge in Dunstan off the back of postal and pre-poll votes and conclude they didn’t do so badly after all.

Wrong. Even with their comeback, this was a truly disgraceful performance by a party that needs to get its you-know-what together.

To go backwards from its 2022 result against a government which has failed thus far to honour its number-one campaign promise is politically inexcusable.

There are two big problems that beset the Liberals, the first of which they can do nothing about.

Problem number one – they’re competing against Peter Malinauskas, the man whom Jay Weatherill described as the candidate who seems to have been invented in a laboratory.

I have lost count of how many people I’ve met who say they’re lifelong Liberals who can’t stand the Labor Party but really like Mali.

The path is smooth for Premier Peter Malinauskas, pictured with Labor candidate for Dunstan Cressida O'Hanlon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

The bloke epitomises Labor at its most effective and electable in the tradition of Bob Hawke – that is, governing from the centre. On top of that, he is clearly liked by the public, meaning he can get away with failing to deliver on something as big as ramping, because many voters view him in his totality and mark up more generously.

Put it this way – a lot of us haven’t been ramped but are really looking forward to Gather Round next weekend.

There is nothing the Liberals can do about Malinauskas other than hope he either goes federal or that he and/or his government becomes mired in some massive scandal.

Even then I am not sure if SA would swing immediately behind the Libs. The reason for this goes to problem number two.

The Liberal Party itself.

Some 28 years ago I remember sitting in the office of Australia’s newly elected prime minister John Howard as the fledgling Canberra correspondent for this fine newspaper.

Howard was always generous with his time and as a great federalist paid close attention to matters in SA, as evidenced by his decisions to back the Alice Springs to Darwin rail link and to pause tariff cuts to take the pressure off our local car industry.

Howard was not only a great juggler of state interests, he was a great juggler of people, and as leader managed the rival factions within his party by accommodating and respecting them both.

Afore mentioned political nerds will recall that the southern suburbs seat of Kingston was held (briefly) by the Liberals in Howard’s first term by a lovely woman called Susan Jeanes.

Through no fault of her own, Sue was always destined to be a “oncer” (a one-term MP) in this now-unassailable Labor seat. She was a total bleeding heart who was prepared to speak out against Howard’s policy conservatism on issues.

Former Premier and Dunstan member Steven Marshall was all smiles having coffee in Norwood with Anna Finizio, after the Libs conceded in the Dunstan by-election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

In one of our fireside chats I asked Howard if he was annoyed by Sue’s interventions and would prefer it if she piped down.

“I love’em all!” Howard said, roaring with laughter and slapping his leg. He almost had a knowing look in his eye – as if to say of course, you journalistic newbie, I’d obviously prefer it if she kept her mouth shut. But publicly – and crucially, tactically – Howard’s position was that he had no issue with having a raving small liberal in his ranks, especially when she held one more seat which had helped the Liberals form government.

This was Howard’s “broad church” in action. It was better evidenced at the more senior levels of the government he led, and led for so long, with the balance of conservatives such as Alexander Downer, Nick Minchin, Ian McLachlan and Alan Ferguson, serving happily and civilly alongside the likes of Amanda Vanstone, Robert Hill, Trish Worth and Chris Gallus.

Fast forward to 2024 and it’s a live question whether the Libs are more interested in beating the Labor Party or beating each other.

The left-right split in the party looks both juvenile and unmanageable.

The party has moved from the Howard era of détente to destruction.

I know there are all sorts of arcane and byzantine drivers of this malaise in SA, going back to Steele Hall blowing the whistle on the Playford gerrymander, up to the back-and-forth brawling between Dean Brown and John Olsen. But I would argue that, right now, things are actually worse. For the obvious reason that they’re not just in opposition, but appear to be stuck there permanently.

Moreover, they’re stuck there against a bloke who through his character and style is commanding a level of internal respect which politicians of any ideological hue would envy. Don’t take my word for it. Ask David Speirs, he’ll tell you. He said as much the other day.