Liberal leader David Speirs reveals opposition frontbench, extends offer to Vickie Chapman

New Liberal leader David Speirs has revealed his new-look frontbench, focusing on younger MPs – and offered an olive branch to Vickie Chapman, who is quitting.

New opposition leader David Speirs says former attorney-general Vickie Chapman could have been on his frontbench if she had decided not to quit politics.

Announcing his new frontbench ahead of parliament’s first sitting next month, Mr Speirs has taken on five roles.

As reported by The Advertiser, Matt Cowdrey has been named treasury spokesman and Heidi Girolamo is finance spokeswoman in a newly created role.

Mr Speirs – elected as Liberal leader earlier this week – will also take on the portfolios of environment, public service and disability.

Former education minister and deputy leader John Gardner will remain the spokesman for that portfolio and take on arts and festivals.

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Party newcomer Ashton Hurn has been lifted straight on to the frontbench and given the crucial health portfolio.

The Liberal up-and-comers Mr Cowdrey and Ms Girolamo were elevated into the new-look opposition frontbench to share responsibility for the economic portfolios as the Liberals try to rebuild after their shattering state election loss.

Mr Speirs said Ms Chapman – the former deputy premier – could have joined the frontbench if she hadn’t decided to quit parliament.

Ms Chapman stunned the Liberal Party earlier this week by announcing she would quit parliament and force a by-election in her seat within weeks.

“She has immense experience,” Mr Speirs said.

“She contributed a lot to the party and to the state. I hope Vickie will continue to mentor some of the people in the shadow cabinet and parliament.

“She’s indicated that she’d love to get alongside some of the younger women in the team and provide them with support ... I welcome that, 100 per cent.”

Three former Liberal ministers – Stephen Wade, David Basham and David Pisoni – were not selected.

Mr Speirs joked about wanting to be the only David on the team but clarified the three ex-ministers indicated they didn’t want frontbench spots.

Mr Cowdrey also ruled out threatening to quit if he didn’t hold a frontbench seat.

“It’s not the way I conduct myself,” he said.

Chief government tactician Tom Koutsantonis seized on the omission from the Liberal frontbench of leadership contender Nick McBride, who was named a parliamentary secretary for regional engagement after achieving just one vote in Tuesday’s ballot.

Mr Koutsantonis, the manager of government business, questioned the exclusion of the popular regional MP who achieved 72.6 per cent of the two-party preferred vote in his South East seat of MacKillop at the March 19 election.

“It seems that the famous temper of Mr Speirs is coming out again,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

A Liberal spokesman said its frontbench contained seven regional MPs, compared with just two in Labor’s ministry.

Mr McBride has been contacted for comment.

The opposition frontbench: Sam Telfer, Penny Pratt, Nicola Centofanti, David Speirs, John Gardner, Jing Lee, Ashton Hurn, Heidi Girolamo and Matthew Cowdrey. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Ms Hurn said she wanted to serve in whatever capacity the leader saw fit and didn’t volunteer for the health portfolio. She said she was confident the Liberals would win the next state election under Mr Speirs’ leadership.

Tim Whetstone, who left former premier Steven Marshall’s cabinet in 2020, is spokesman for police and community safety, road safety, corrections and mental health and suicide prevention.

“(Tim) showed an ability to connect with regional South Australia in a way that flowed through to his result on election day,” Mr Speirs said.

Announcing the appointments, Mr Speirs said the continued economic strength of South Australia was “crucial” and the previous government had worked hard to see the state flourish.

“Matt and Heidi bring significant financial experience to the roles and will be a critical part of delivering our shadow cabinet’s positive vision for South Australia but also holding Peter Malinauskas and the Labor Party to account,” he said.

“Labor has a horrible track record when it comes to the management of money and its election spending spree was out of control, and we all know when Labor spends, it’s regular South Australians who pay.”

Treasury spokesman Matt Cowdrey, opposition leader David Speirs and finance spokeswoman Heidi Girolamo. Picture: Matt Turner

Mr Cowdrey, a former swimmer and Australia’s most successful Paralympian, was elected to represent the seat of Colton at the 2018 election.

He said he was a “fresh face” with a background in management consulting, and has chaired the economic and finance committee for the past two years.

“My father ran a small business for 25 years and, as a father-of-two, I understand the cost-of-living pressures that families face and the challenging environment that small businesses operate in,” he said.

“South Australians deserve an opposition treasurer who will hold the government to account for its actions and decisions.

“I promise to do that and present a strong and stable Liberal Party alternative for the March 2026 election.”

Ms Girolamo was appointed to the upper house in August last year, filling a casual vacancy following the departure of David Ridgway.

She said she has “always been a numbers person”, and her background as a former chartered accountant and small business owner meant she had the skill set to serve as finance spokeswoman.

“We know the economic pressures of life impact all people and we must dedicate ourselves to investigating and implementing new ways to lessen the load on families and small businesses in South Australia,” she said.

“I’m proud and thankful to accept this new challenge and for the opportunity to serve our community.”

Earlier this week, the Liberals met to elect Mr Speirs as leader and former education minister John Gardner as his deputy.

Nicola Centofanti was elected leader in the upper house, with Jing Lee to take the role of deputy leader.