Rated: South Australian Liberal leadership contenders to replace David Speirs

The mantle of SA Liberal leader to replace David Speirs is shaping as a three-horse race. Paul Starick rates the contenders.

Three contenders are vying for the state Liberal leadership to succeed David Speirs, who declared he had “just had a gutful” when quitting the top job on Thursday.

The three former ministers in the Marshall Liberal government – John Gardner, Vincent Tarzia and Josh Teague – all have backgrounds in the party’s Moderate faction, rather than the Right, or Conservatives.

Here’s a look at the contenders, including their strengths and weaknesses.

HAVE YOUR SAY IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

Liberal state deputy leader John Gardner. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

JOHN GARDNER

Mr Gardner has been deputy Opposition Leader to Mr Speirs since April, 2022. He was education minister in the Marshall government, overseeing a $1.5bn school upgrade program, introduction of Year 7 into high school and Year 1 phonic checks.

A leading Moderate and skilled parliamentarian who understands internal Liberal politics but is accused by rivals as lacking the telegenic appeal to take on Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Has held the eastern suburbs electorate of Morialta since 2010.

Leadership contender Vincent Tarzia (right) at a 2021 press conference, when he was police minister. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Kelly Barnes

VINCENT TARZIA

Won acclaim as the Nick Xenophon slayer for holding the crucial northeastern Adelaide seat of Hartley in 2018, helping install the Marshall government.

Appointed that May as Speaker – the youngest in SA history. Then became police minister in the Marshall government.

Ambitious and energetic, is determined to shoot for the top job and ruling out running as deputy. Opponents accuse him of undermining Mr Speirs and claim he can be reckless and shortsighted.

Heysen MP Josh Teague. Picture: NCA NewsWire/David Mariuz

JOSH TEAGUE

Former barrister who took over from Mr Tarzia as Speaker in the Marshall government, before being deposed in late 2021 by Liberal turncoat Dan Cregan in a late-night coup.

Then became planning and local government minister, acting as attorney-general after Vickie Chapman stepped aside.

Son of former Liberal senator Baden Teague. Has had some success pushing the Hahndorf bypass/River Rd issue beyond his Adelaide Hills electorate of Heysen.

But even factional backers question his ability to move beyond legal speak to win over voters as leader.