Liberal party embroiled in new sexism row over state election review pay

The Liberal Party has been embroiled in a new sexism row that’s forced the state’s new opposition leader to step in.

Unley Councillor – Jordan Dodd

Opposition Leader David Speirs has been forced to intervene after a female staffer was not paid to review its landslide election defeat – but a former male MP was compensated.

The initial decision has been described by Liberal Party insiders as “out of touch” and “shocking optics”.

Former Schubert MP Stephan Knoll, who retired at the March 19 poll, and Unley councillor Jordan Dodd, who failed to win the seat of Badcoe, are overseeing the review.

Liberal sources said Ms Dodd, a former staffer, was not being paid, wh-ile Mr Knoll received $10,000 remuneration.

Opposition leader David Speirs speaks to the media. Picture: Tom Huntley

During a party meeting this week, Ms Dodd, revealed she was volunteering.

One source said: “This is the kind of arrangement when you have out of touch leadership.

“It raises a real question around probity. The executive are filthy. We claim we’re enlightened about our women problem but instead we just look like Neanderthals.”

Another said: “Everyone is outraged and disgusted. You just can’t pay the men and not the women, the optics are shocking.”

Mr Speirs and the party’s Upper House chief, Nicola Centofanti, intervened after being left appalled and frustrated by the disclosures, of which they were unaware until this week.

Mr Speirs said Ms Dodd also would be paid $10,000.

City of Unley Councillor Jordan Dodd

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Nicola Centofanti. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“When the matter was raised with me, I found it to be unacceptable and personally intervened to rectify the situation immediately,” Mr Speirs said in a statement.

“The input from the review panel is crucial for our new-look Liberal Party as we move in a fresh direction.

“Each member of the panel will be equally compensated for their valued work.”

State president Legh Davis said it was a “non story”.

“It’s simply the fact she was a staffer and a decision was made by the organisation that it was not appropriate to pay her,” he said.