Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis slams new Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia

A Labor minister has taken a brutal dig at the new opposition leader just hours after he has been selected for the top job.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis has made a scathing dig at freshly selected opposition leader Vincent Tarzia, accusing the Member for Hartley of using “treachery” to get the top job as well as undermining his former boss.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Mr Koutsantonis touted Mr Tarzia as untrustworthy just hours following his election.

“The Liberals have decided to reward one of their treacherous members who decided to undermine his leader,” he said.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis criticised the new Liberal leader. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

It comes following the resignation of outgoing leader David Speirs last week, who announced he had enough of being undermined and no longer had the energy to fight for the job.

Mr Speirs has endured mounting criticism over his performance as leader, among the most recent being sparked by The Advertiser’s revelation that Mr Speirs had been forced to cancel holiday plans to attend a family wedding abroad.

Mr Tarzia and Mr Teague previously offered lukewarm backing of Mr Speirs’ performance.

On Monday, Mr Tarzia emerged as the winner of the Liberal leadership spill, beating out his colleague Josh Teague with 18 votes to four.

Afterwards, during his first press conference in the new role, Mr Tarzia claimed his party would win the next state election.

He also denied he was among those who undermined Mr Speirs.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia claimed his party would win the next state election. Picture: Supplied/@TKoutsantonisMP

Mr Koutsantonis challenged his comments, stating that it was “pretty clear” that Mr Tarzia was “one of those bad apples” that Mr Speirs had been talking about.

Asked if he was worried about the 2026 election, Mr Koutsantonis said “you can’t trust treachery, and if you can’t trust treachery, you can’t trust Tarzia.”

The Transport Minister said Mr Tarzia’s speech on Monday was “arrogant” and accused the new opposition leader of getting “ahead of himself”.

“I’m not sure anyone knows what the opposition is about and no election should be taken for granted. And I do note that Mr Tarzia today guaranteed he would win the next election, which is quite arrogant, without having released a single policy,” he said.

“I just make this point, if David Speirs couldn’t trust Vincent Tarzia, how can the public of South Australia trust him.”

“It’s unfortunate that treachery has been rewarded today.

“That’s a matter for the Liberal Party but I don’t think treachery can get you over the line of an election.”

Asked if he “felt” for Mr Speirs, Mr Koutsantonis said he did.

“It’s very hard to try and fight and go up against the government while you’re also fighting your own people,” he said, adding that Mr Speirs had a “big future” in parliament.