Former staffer Alex May appointed director of the state Liberal Party after proposal to share the role between co-directors was rejected

The Liberals will appoint a former staffer, and partner of a current federal MP, as their new state director after an earlier proposal was canned.

Former staffer Alex May will be appointed director of the state Liberal Party after a proposal to share the role between two co-directors was rejected by the party’s state executive.

Ms May, the partner of Sturt MP James Stevens, will be formally offered a contract following the resignation of former director Sascha Meldrum last month.

Opposition Leader David Speirs said the state executive unanimously selected Ms May at a meeting last week.

“She’s a brilliant pick and someone I have immense respect for,” he said.

SA Liberal leader David Speirs. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

“I am leading a fresh, united Liberal party in South Australia and Alex’s appointment is another critical step to help deliver our vision.

“We will take this party back to the suburbs, towns and regions which make up our great state and I look forward to working closely with Alex to do this.”

The conservative faction of the party had pushed for two directors to share the role – one each representing the factions – in a bid to put an end to decades of internal feuding.

A senior conservative said the faction would “jettison” the new director if they did not get their way – but moderates said the two-director model was unworkable and presented constitutional issues.

Instead, the party will look to appoint a conservative, likely to be Adelaide councillor Alex Hyde, to a senior position as part of an agreement that would ensure both factions are represented at the highest level.

Despite her connection to Mr Stevens, who is a moderate, Ms May is cross-factionally experienced and her application received support among some of the conservative wing.

Currently employed in the private sector, she has previously worked as deputy chief of staff to former premier Steven Marshall, and, prior to that, held roles with Isobel Redmond, Jamie Briggs and Alexander Downer.