Businessman Theo Maras switches support to Labor after Covid response

One of Adelaide’s most powerful business figures has abandoned Premier Steven Marshall, publicly declaring support for his rival, Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas.

One of Adelaide’s most powerful business figures has abandoned Premier Steven Marshall, publicly declaring support for Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas.

Property developer Theo Maras said he had lost confidence in Mr Marshall for deciding to reopen the state’s borders when the Omicron variant posed a serious threat to the state’s economy.

Mr Maras, a Liberal Party donor, endorsed Mr Malinauskas on social media, saying he represented “leadership that looks to the future and a team that will work together for the benefit of all South Australians’.

The Adelaide Central Market Authority chairman told The Advertiser he had decided it was time to speak out “because the state is teetering on the edge of the cliff’.

Theo Maras, one of Adelaide’s most influential businessmen, has pulled support for Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“We needed a plan before we opened the gates, we needed contingencies in case of the worst case scenario,” he said. “We needed strength, leadership and conviction. That did not happen from our Premier or our government.”

Asked why he had endorsed Labor, Mr Maras said he decided it was “time to give somebody else the help that I have given the Liberals.”

“I believe we want leaders and teams that work with their leaders to be able to have a formidable government moving forward,” he said. “It’s time we all spoke out as South Australians. We have to say enough is enough. I am encouraging others to think about what I’m saying.”

Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Maras, a landlord who owns multiple properties across metropolitan Adelaide and the CBD, said the borders were reopened with insufficient planning and resources to cope with Omicron.

Mr Maras said Mr Marshall had to take responsibility for the lack of planning.

“We all knew that Covid was around us, we all knew that Covid would go from one strain to another strain,” he said. “We were also told we were going to open the gates.

“Did we have a plan and contingencies for the worst case scenario if things got out of hand? The answer is no. Instead, all we have had is a knee-jerk reaction.

“To me, it all boils down to a lack of business acumen and a lack of foresight into the future. A family business, a multinational company or a government cannot survive if they do not have in place a proper plan.”

Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas says he agrees with Mr Maras’ concerns. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Maras said he was “sick and tired of being treated like a mushroom where I am kept in the dark and fed the proverbial bull”.

“It is an insult to my intelligence, it is an insult to the intelligence of all South Australians,” he said. “We have a vacant city. We have young families everywhere who are struggling. We have people who are bordering on mental illness and suffering all sorts of indignation because of where we are.”

Welcoming Mr Maras’s support, Mr Malinauskas said he shared his concerns about the lack of preparation before the borders reopened.

“That meant adequate testing and contact tracing resources, a plan for schools and ensuring our hospitals could cope,” he said.

Mr Marshall declined to comment.