Communications director Ashton Hurn regarded as most likely candidate to replace Stephan Knoll

A senior media adviser is the frontrunner to replace the retiring member for Schubert, Stephan Knoll, in his Barossa-based seat.

Stephen Knoll during Question Time on July 23, 2020. Picture: Matt Loxton

Premier Steven Marshall’s top media adviser is the frontrunner to replace retiring former minister Stephan Knoll.

Mr Marshall’s director of media and communications, Ashton Hurn, is regarded by many in the party as the most likely candidate to win the race to contest the seat of Schubert at the next election.

Ms Hurn is one of the Premier’s closest confidants and well regarded by senior moderate powerbrokers, including Simon Birmingham and Christopher Pyne.

Ashton Hurn is the frontrunner to replace retiring former minister Stephan Knoll. Picture: Keryn Stevens

The former SA Institute of Sport netballer and her brother, West Coast Eagles premiership captain Shannon, are part of a sixth generation Barossa Valley family.

Their grandfather Brian served as Barossa Council Mayor from 1996 to 2014.

Ms Hurn will have to win over what some insiders say is a strongly conservative group of party members who will vote on who is preselected.

Ms Hurn lost to Mr Knoll in a Schubert preselection battle in 2013.

Liberal sources told the Advertiser Mr Knoll would have a strong say in who was preselected.

Conservative MPs, including Mr Knoll, are expected to back Grain Producers SA chief executive officer Caroline Rhodes, whose family has a farm in Mount Torrens.

Ms Rhodes also holds board positions with the South Australian Cricket Association, Foodbank South Australia and the service provider Rural Business Support.

Both Ms Hurn and Ms Rhodes would not be drawn on their nominations when contacted yesterday. But The Advertiser understands both are considering a tilt at the safe Liberal seat, which covers the Barossa, Light and Adelaide Plains council districts.

Liberal Party state director Sascha Meldrum said the identity of applicants would remain confidential until they pass the full Candidate Review Committee process.

“If there is more than one preselection candidate, a preselection college will be held where Liberal Party members living in the electorate get an opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate,” she said.

On Tuesday, Mr Knoll announced he would resign from parliament in 2022 to spend more time with his family. Liberal MP Peter Treloar has also decided not to contest his seat of Flinders, which covers Eyre Peninsula and the state’s west coast. Preselection nominations for Flinders and Schubert close on January 12.