Dan van Holst Pellekaan voted in as Liberal Party’s deputy leader – and becomes SA’s deputy premier

The Liberals have voted in Dan van Holst Pellekaan as their new deputy leader – as the Ombudsman seeks clarity over whether he can investigate Vickie Chapman.

Dan van Holst Pellekaan is the South Australia’s new Deputy Premier, taking over from under-fire former attorney-general Vickie Chapman.

The Energy and Mining Minister, who represents the mid and far-north regional seat of Stuart, defeated Environment Minister David Speirs in a party room vote on Thursday to snag the Liberal Party’s deputy leader role.

All members voted in the secret ballot. While the vote count was not revealed, sources said Mr van Holst Pellekaan won 14-8.

“I think I bring stability, I think I bring integrity, I think I bring capacity,” he said following his win.

“I work hard, I do my very best to deliver and I’m a team player.”

Mr Speirs declined to comment as he left the party room meeting.

Premier Steven Marshall described his new deputy as a “conscientious, hardworking and invaluable cabinet minister”.

“He is a valuable colleague and a stoic advocate for our regions and I’m looking forward to working with him closely on delivering the things that matter most to the people of South Australia,” he said.

David Speirs and Dan van Holst Pellekaan arrive in Parliament House for the vote. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Opposition treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said Mr van Holst Pellekaan “should use his new-found authority to dump” the government’s proposed Riverbank Arena.

“The people of Port Augusta and Port Pirie deserve better than a city-centric MP who thinks a $662m basketball stadium is a priority for our state,” he said.

Ms Chapman resigned as deputy premier this week over the conflict scandal surrounding her rejection of a proposal to build a seaport on Kangaroo Island.

She also stood aside as attorney-general, and planning and local government minister.

Former speaker Josh Teague on Tuesday was sworn in as Planning and Local Government Minister, and acting Attorney-General.

It comes as the State Ombudsman seeks views on whether he himself has a conflict of interest in investigating allegations of conflict of interest against Mr Chapman.

Ombudsman Wayne Lines on Thursday said he had written to various parties involved in the A-G investigation to ask for their views on whether they believe he has a conflict in taking on the inquiry.

Mr Lines has told them the ombudsman’s office is funded through the A-G’s department; all his staff are employed within the A-G’s department; and “from time to time I met with Ms Chapman in her role as head of the A-G’s department to discuss operational matters”.

“My view is that none of these relationships give rise to an actual conflict of interest,” he said.

SA Ombudsman Wayne Lines wonders if people think he has a conflict of interest in investigating Vickie Chapman’s alleged conflict of interest. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Former attorney-general Vickie Chapman. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“To the extent that these relationships may give rise to a perceived conflict of interest, I consider that any such conflicts have and will be appropriately managed so as not to impact on the impartiality and independence of my investigation.”

Mr Lines requested any feedback on this matter be provided to him by December 1 for his consideration.

“If any of the interested parties have a reasonable objection to my carriage of the investigation due to a perceived conflict of interest, I will consider delegating the function of investigating to a suitable person outside of my office,” he said.

Mr Lines has been asked by a parliament committee to investigate whether Ms Chapman had a conflict of interest making a determination on the Smith Bay seaport proposal; if she breached the ministerial code of conduct; and any role and responsibility any other public officer, including Premier Steven Marshall, had in relation to Ms Chapman’s decision.

The parliamentary committee conducted its own inquiry into Ms Chapman’s involvement in the seaport decision and found she had a conflict of interest, breached the ministerial code of conduct and misled parliament over the matter.

Parliament’s lower house passed a motion of no confidence against her last Thursday. She then resigned as deputy premier and stood aside from her ministerial roles.