Steven Marshall’s mentors reveal his agenda for South Australian

FLEDGLING premier Steven Marshall’s key backers say his government will have one central mission — erasing South Australia’s unwanted reputation as an economic basket case.

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PREMIER Steven Marshall will lead a government with a central mission of erasing South Australia’s unwanted reputation as an economic basket case by improving conditions for business to generate jobs.

Asked by The Advertiser to define Mr Marshall’s premiership and government, three of his most influential associates declared he would have a relentless and methodical focus on driving employment and investment.

The three senior Liberals — former prime minister John Howard, former premier and state Liberal president John Olsen and senior federal Liberal Christopher Pyne — all were determined to highlight his leading role in banishing factional infighting which preoccupied the state ranks for years.

Speaking exclusively to The Advertiser, Mr Howard said he had watched Mr Marshall, in the wake of a stunning 2014 election loss, take very seriously the sort of policies he would need to implement if he won.

Former PM John Howard and Steven Marshall walk across the Torrens footbridge.

John Olsen congratulates new Steven Marshall after winning the state election. Picture: Calum Robertson

“What impressed me was he prepared for the job. I think he’s ready for the job, not only is he ready for the job politically but I think policy wise he’s ready for the job”.

In Opposition, Mr Marshall faced criticism, both from within sections of the party and externally, that he lacked ruthless political instincts and leadership cut-through to win an election and become a successful premier.

Even early last year, there was speculation that some Liberal powerbrokers, outside the parliament, were seeking to draft into the state leadership Alexander Downer, Mr Howard’s foreign affairs minister and Australia’s outgoing High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

But Mr Howard and Mr Olsen were both keen to emphasise Mr Marshall’s leadership credentials, separately declaring he would be “his own man” yet unite a team behind him.

“Steven will be his own man. He won’t be anybody’s person and he’ll get everybody working together,” Mr Howard said.

“ ... He’s an extremely decent man and he’s very committed to the job and quite excited about the honour that’s come his way and that’s very important — you don’t want people getting those jobs thinking it’s their entitlement.”

“He’s got a good balance of enthusiasm and humility.”

Mr Pyne praised Mr Marshall’s focus and discipline, describing him as an “includer”, who “keeps people in the tent”, arguing this meant he would lead a united team.

“He’s not in it for himself, he’s in it for the people of the state. And he’s good fun, he never takes himself too seriously,” Mr Pyne said.

This dates back to his school days at Immanuel College, where former teacher Valerie Volk, for whom Mr Marshall has MCd two book launches in recent years, said the school magazine of 1984 — his Year 12 — recorded him as being known for Pirates of Penzance impersonations.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with Christopher Pyne and new Premier Steven Marschall.

Dr Volk, whose late husband Noel was Mr Marshall’s final-year headmaster, said the future premier that year was “a useful member of the school magazine committee”, of which she was the staff editor.

“Steven was, I recall, always helpful, always cooperative, always a worker in a team,” Dr Volk said.

Now that Mr Marshall is leading the team running the state, Mr Olsen highlighted Mr Marshall’s application of business-like key performance indicators to his Cabinet, saying it was very clear that if a minister faltered in this regard, they would be replaced. Measures would include accountability and honesty.

“I think the public will see the true personality and depth of character of Steven,” said Mr Olsen, premier from 1996-2001.

“Once you move from Opposition to the office of premier, where you’re making decisions, implementing them, explaining them publicly, people will see the nature and substance of Steven Marshall.”

Arguably, Mr Marshall has taken over in conditions most favourable for a Liberal leader since Sir Thomas Playford’s era, which ended in 1965. There is no State Bank financial disaster, like last time the Liberals came to power in 1993, or the surprise victory of 1979. Mr Marshall now carries the hopes of a party unaccustomed to office but hoping to make a lasting difference.