Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson to contest Black by-election

The Holdfast Bay mayor – and Liberal member for one day – will seek to deny Labor a chance to capitalise on the former opposition leader’s upcoming resignation.

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson is the new Liberal candidate for seat of Black, pictured with Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson has been revealed as the Liberals’ candidate to replace David Speirs in the by-election for the seat of Black.

Ms Wilson was elected as the council’s first female mayor in 2018 and was a partner at a law firm before becoming a mother.

Speaking to media at Seacliff, Ms Wilson said she joined the Liberal Party on Friday but was attracted to its pro-small business and economic values.

While she lives in Glenelg South, just outside the electorate, she said she would draw on her experience governing the council area, which includes parts of Black.

“I understand that the needs for the people of this area are complex but mostly based on their families,” Ms Wilson said.

Ms Wilson said that she was attracted to the Liberal Party’s economic values. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“They’re concerned they don’t have the money to pay for electricity bills, they’re concerned they’re going to shops and coming back with two bags of groceries for $100, and they’re concerned about interest rate rises.”

Mr Speirs is set to resign from state parliament after being charged with supplying a controlled substance. He has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.

Ms Wilson said she was “shocked” by the allegations against David Speirs and that he had phoned her yesterday to offer his endorsement.

“I understand he has been acknowledged for all the hard work he has done for this area, and particularly advancing the environment,” she said.

“I would just like to move forward and talk about the needs for the people who live in this area.”

Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia said he did not believe Ms Wilson’s distance from the electorate was an issue and that she had “a fantastic track record”.

Mr Tarzia also said that should the Opposition win the 2026 state election, it would install CCTV and additional security measures at Marino Train Station.

“I think at the end of the day, what people want is someone in their corner – Amanda has been that person for this community,” he said.

Responding to the announcement, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said the Opposition had “parachuted” Ms Wilson into the seat.

“They clearly learnt nothing from the Dunstan by-election, where they ran an outsider who spruiked her strong connection to the western suburbs,” he said.

The announcement comes less than a week after Labor revealed schoolteacher Alex Dighton would recontest the upcoming by-election, after he lost to the former opposition leader by just 2.7 per cent of votes in 2022.

Since becoming mayor, Ms Wilson has overseen several public infrastructure upgrades and green energy initiatives – including a new $22m recycling centre and several new recreation centres across the district.

She also attracted the ire of some ratepayers this year after supporting a $40m upgrade of Jetty Rd’s parking and public amenities, which will lead to residents paying an extra 2.3 per cent rate levy over three years.

Ms Wilson at a Proclamation Day service ceremony last December. Picture: Dean Martin

The Holdfast Bay district runs from Glenelg down to Seacliff, but if successful, Ms Wilson’s new constituency would retain just a third of that area and largely cover the southwest heartlands of Sheidow Park, Trott Park and Hallett Cove.

Ms Wilson will take a leave of absence as mayor from today until the end of the election.