‘Destroy the credibility’: New Libs leader Vincent Tarzia makes brutal promise in first speech

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has made a brutal promise to “destroy the credibility” of the Malinauskas government as the Libs vote in the first female president in 24 years.

Loyalty was the key message in Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia’s public speech during the state Liberal Party’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

While he acknowledged Labor was not a pushover, the new opposition leader reiterated that the Liberal Party was fighting to “win elections”.

Appealing to both factions within the party, Mr Tarzia called the State Council “trustees of two blends of Liberal philosophy coming together”.

“We can all agree that we are all better off when we unite than when we have disagreements from time to time.”

“The only way we are going to beat this formidable Labor Party here in South Australia is if we work together as a team.”

Leader of the opposition Vincent Tarzia speaking to Liberal members at the party’s annual general meeting picture: Supplied

Indeed, much of Mr Tarzia’s first speech was reinforcing the message of unity and teamwork as the path to achieving the party’s political aims.

“Whether it is the classic Liberal tradition or the Conservative tradition, we are much better off when we gel, when we come together and when we unite to fight the Labor Party,” he said.

“And from time to time we may have disagreements but at the end of the day, it’s about banding together, it’s about being united, and about making sure that we’re going to present the best policies, platforms and values to the people of South Australia.”

As for those within the media that have suggested the Liberal Party face a herculean task if they wish to contest the next state election, Mr Tarzia reminded them of the 2018 State Election – in which he defied expectations and retained his seat of Hartley.

“You know, in 2017, some of our friends in the media said that Nick Xenophon was going to become Premier … and (I) was 47-53 down at that point in time,” he said.

“I can tell you, they got it wrong then.

“And history has shown that everyone is beatable.”

Leah Blyth was elected State President of the party making her the first female president in 24 years. Picture: Supplied

From cost of living pressures, nuclear energy and health, Mr Tarzia outlined the focus of his team, and how he intends to “destroy the credibility” of the Malinauskas government.

Calling ramping the “biggest political lie” in the state’s history, Mr Tarzia said it would be his “battering ram” against Labor.

With the media removed from the AGM after Mr Tarzia’s speech, internal voting began.

Leah Blyth was elected State President of the party (119–82), making her the first female president in 24 years.

Vice presidents include: Glenn Docherty, Bridie Ward, Damian Wyld and Samuel Wythes-Willis – a clean sweep for the party’s conservative faction.

Questioned over the Liberal’s chances of winning the next election, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Simon Birmingham, said it was pointless speculating so early in an election cycle.

“It’s a mug’s game to predict elections nearly two years away from them being held,” he said.

“It is essential that the party has broad appeal, pursues that broad appeal, and with that builds a Coalition … who are concerned about cost-of-living pressures, business failures, record ramping and need to see those problems addressed.”

While still some way off, the battle lines for the next state election are starting to be drawn.