Vincent Tarzia likely new leader as Deputy leader John Gardner withdraws from Liberal leadership race

The embattled Liberal Party leadership race has dramatically opened up after one of the three who has been canvassing votes has now ruled out vying for the top job.

The embattled Liberal Party leadership race has dramatically opened up after an aspirant publicly ruled out vying for the top job.

Deputy leader John Gardner has announced early on Monday that he won’t be a candidate when his party’s 22 MPs vote to replace outgoing boss David Speirs, , who dramatically quit two years into the job.

His decision, which he revealed in a statement to The Advertiser on Monday, means fellow Moderate Vincent Tarzia will likely win after he won crucial Conservative right faction support late on Sunday.

In a statement Mr Gardner, the MP for the marginal not to eastern seat of Morialta said: “I confirm I won’t be a candidate for the leadership today.

“As I have said we would since Thursday, our colleagues have been discussing how best we can put ourselves forward in the service of our state, and today we will choose a new leader. We will unite around the new leader.

“We will put all our efforts into service our community. We will hold this government to account, and we will present a principled and optimistic vision for the future of our state.”

With just 19 months left before the next state election, the party’s 22 MPs will on Monday vote in a new leader.

Over the weekend, three candidates actively canvased votes, senior party sources said a leadership contest was on Sunday night “enormously” narrow, “very fluid” and “too close to call”.

Former speaker and Marshall government minister Vincent Tarzia, 37, who was elected to parliament 10 years ago, is the only MP to publicly declare his candidacy.

But two fellow moderates, including left faction chieftain John Gardner, 45 – deputy leader under Mr Speirs – and former speaker Josh Teague, 49, had privately said they would nominate.

That is now down to two with Mr Gardner withdrawing.

Liberal insiders described a weekend turmoil of “tense” negotiations and phone calls, some which were said to be “threatening”.

Vincent Tarzia has declared his hand. Picture: Morgan Sette

Former Education Minister John Gardner speaks to media at a press conference in Adelaide, SA. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

Senior figures said it was “certainly going to be a bloodbath” and the worst partyroom “s***fight” in more than a decade amid “totally bloody confusion”.

“There are a lot of lolly bags being given out this weekend,” one source said.

But others downplayed any internal fighting for “three quality candidates”.

“There’s certainly no daggers being drawn at dawn,” another said.

Multiple insiders claimed Mr Tarzia “has his nose in front” and was “generating momentum”.

He is said to have secured enough support of Conservatives from the right faction, which controls the party machinery but not how MPs vote.

While the right’s state leaders were tight-lipped ahead of a Sunday night meeting to ratify who to support, nine MPs will vote “as a block” amid internal speculation of backing Mr Tarzia.

Sources said a likely ballot would be contested between the two northeastern suburban MPs Mr Tarzia and Mr Gardner, a former education minister who enjoys left faction support.

Some moderate MPs, however, are wavering.

Party rules state a winner is crowned with 12 lower and upper house MP votes.

If any candidates tie with 11, then a name is “drawn out of a hat”, which officials are working desperately to avoid and to ensure there is a clear candidate.

“It’s all well and good to save the furniture and not have a house,” one senior source said.

State government ministers are understood to have been left “surprised” at Mr Speirs’ resignation last week, which also blindsided many Liberal colleagues.

Mr Gardner, who entered parliament in 2010, declined to say if he was applying for the top job.

But in a statement, he said: “By 10am Monday the Liberal Party of SA will have a new leader.

“I’m absolutely certain that whoever that is, the Liberal team will work together with that leader in a united way on behalf of the South Australian community.”

Mr Tarzia declined further comment on Sunday.

Mr Teague, an MP since 2018 who is believed to have limited leadership support, also declined to comment.

Another possible leadership contender, Ashton Hurn, is on maternity leave and friends say she is not interested in contending.

Heysen MP Josh Teague has also been canvassing votes but is understood not to enjoy much leadership support. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Premier Peter Malinauskas said Labor was “getting on with the job”. He is pictured with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to announce the construction behind the South Road project on Sunday. Picture Dean Martin

Asked about the Liberal turmoil on Sunday, Premier Peter Malinauskas, who was told of Mr Speirs’ decision to quit while attending a parklands community forum, said his government was “just getting on with the job”.

“We’ve got a big program, a big agenda, and (on Sunday) we’re announcing that the biggest infrastructure project in Australia is now going to get done and that’s what I’m focused on,” he said.

Wishing Mr Speirs “all the very best”, he said he had enjoyed “professional and cordial relations”, which he hoped would continue with the new Liberal leader.