Dunstan Labor MP Cressida O’Hanlon embroiled in new row after her husband’s firm registers as a lobbyist

South Australia’s newest politician is facing fresh questions over her husband’s defence company after it registered as a lobbyist months on from her bitter by-election win.

Cressida O'Hanlon with husband James at the Mid Winter charity ball. Picture: SA Mid Winter Charity Ball / Facebook

South Australia’s newest politician is facing fresh questions over her husband’s defence company after it registered as a lobbyist months on from her bitter by-election win.

Cressida O’Hanlon, 51, came under intense scrutiny during the eastern suburbs Dunstan campaign over links to Adelaide-based Citadel Secure that her husband James, 50, owns.

Ms O’Hanlon, a mediator and former Labor staffer, had her integrity repeatedly questioned before her politically historic, 360-vote victory over Liberal Anna Finizio, 38, in March.

Official records show Citadel Secure, which provides Defence and disaster-related services, formally declared as a lobbyist on June 20.

The SA Lobbyist Register shows directors Mr O’Hanlon, a war veteran of Norwood, and David Searles, 62, of Aldgate, engage in “activities”.

Cressida O'Hanlon arrives to vote during the Dunstan by-election with the support of family, including husband James, Phoebe, 11, and Cy, 16 on March 23, 2024. Picture: Dean Martin

Amid multiple campaign firestorms Ms O’Hanlon, and the Labor Party, repeatedly denied she had lobbied ministers on behalf of her husband’s business or the firm was a lobbyist despite being listed as a company “senior associate”.

The directors, who founded the business in July 2019, denied any Labor or government official had urged the listing and defiantly insisted the poll controversy had sparked an increase in work for the company.

They declined to say which global defence business they were lobbying on behalf of but “suffice to say it is one of our AUKUS allies”.

But the Liberals, who questioned during the campaign whether lobbying laws had been breached, said the disclosures raised new questions.

Hundreds of documents released under Freedom of Information laws also lay bare the firm’s interactions with various state and federal ministers, advisers and departments before the by-election.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Cressida O'Hanlon have a coffee in Norwood on March 28, 2024 after she won the Dunstan by-election. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

State law requires all lobbying firms to register with the Attorney-General’s Department or risk fines and prison.

Last week an independent Commissioner Against Corruption report warned about the risks of lobbying through personal relationships.

Opposition spokesman on government accountability, Ben Hood, said Premier Peter Malinauskas and Ms O’Hanlon “need to front up and explain themselves”.

“When concerns were raised about the range and nature of Citadel’s activities during the Dunstan by-election, the Labor Party told South Australians that there was nothing to see here,” he said.

“So, what has occurred between March and June of this year that has caused Citadel Secure to register itself as a lobbyist?”

Dr Finizio, a political adviser, with former Liberal leader David Speirs after the by-election loss. Picture: Brett Hartwig

In response to questions, the directors – whose website lists government relations as one of its capabilities – said their “combined 60-plus years of commercial and defence experience” helped their decision.

“Since the Dunstan by-election we have been approached by an international company to assist them identify and understand local and state regulations for a large defence manufacturing facility in regional SA,” they said.

“It was appropriate therefore that we registered as a lobbyist, considering potential future interactions with state and local government departments and agencies.

“Additionally, it should be noted we have been inundated with inquiries regarding our professional services since the Dunstan by-election thanks to the coverage your publication provided.”

Ms O’Hanlon, a mother-of-four who now holds SA’s second most marginal seat by a 0.8 per cent margin, said she had no knowledge of her husband’s business.

“I am not prosecuting this again – I dealt with this … during the campaign and I’m not going back over them,” she said.

Ms O’Hanlon and the Premier in Norwood. Amid multiple campaign firestorms she and her party repeatedly denied she had lobbied ministers on behalf of her husband’s business or the firm was a lobbyist. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“I refer you to past answers in relation to that. There is nothing I want to say.

“There are many couples who don’t know the intricate details of their spouse’s business.

“It’s not my business. It is my husband’s business.

“I think the best thing to do would be to ask them.”

Mr Malinauskas’ spokesman said on Sunday night: “The Liberals might have changed leaders, but it’s clear Vincent Tarzia is sticking to the same old strategy – throwing mud and making baseless accusations.

“The people of Dunstan need a genuine local, passionate and principled advocate, and they now have that in Cressida O’Hanlon.”