Conservative South Australian Liberals consider breakaway party

Conservative Liberals are considering a breakaway party out of frustration at abortion and euthanasia law reforms – and sparked by a move to reform Family First.

Rebel conservative Liberals are considering launching a breakaway party after becoming infuriated by the government’s social reforms and being snubbed for Cabinet positions.

Disgruntled MPs and branch members are canvassing the move as a “live option”, The Advertiser has been told, but this is more likely to signify frustration than imminent action.

One Liberal said the “fuse had been lit” by the move to revive Family First by former Labor ministers Jack Snelling and Tom Kenyon, which some Liberals fear will rob them of vital seats in northeastern Adelaide’s so-called “Bible Belt”.

Former Labor member Jack Snelling. Picture: Ben Macmahon

Former Minister Tom Kenyon. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

This had intensified long-running aspirations of forming a breakaway conservative party, with relaunching the Liberal and Country League brand by which the South Australian Liberals were known until 1974 being touted.

“It’s a live option, given what’s transpired in this state parliament with this government,” one senior Liberal said.

“On the scale of one to 10, people are 10 out of 10 pissed off.”

The conservatives’ anger has been fuelled by bills legalising euthanasia and decriminalising abortion that passed state parliament in June and March respectively.

Both SA arms of the Liberal conservative faction also have craved a ministerial spot since rising star Stephan Knoll quit Cabinet in July last year over a travel allowance scandal.

Premier Steven Marshall declined to comment on the rebel bid. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

It is understood Premier Steven Marshall, who declined to comment, remains keen to bring a capable and qualified conservative into his ministry.

Another conservative Liberal said reviving the LCL name had been canvassed sporadically for some time but was not aware of any renewed interest.

In 2018, four Liberal conservative backbenchers crossed the floor to delay a vote on mining reforms: Nick McBride, Fraser Ellis (now independent), Steve Murray and Dan Cregan.

It is also understood the federal Liberal Boothby MP Nicolle Flint, who has spoken out about people being “forced” into medi-hotels, has been approached to join the Liberal Democrats seeking to tap into anti-lockdown sentiment and win Senate control.

Ms Flint told The Advertiser she would not reconsider a decision to quit politics at the next election.

“I have always been, and will always be, a Liberal. I am definitely retiring at the next election,” she said.