Premier Steven Marshall to reveal new ministry on Tuesday following three resignations
Speaker Vincent Tarzia has been promoted into Premier Steven Marshall’s new cabinet, with two other MPs elevated for the first time.
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- Three ministers resign over scandals
- ICAC to investigate years of travel claims
- Ridgway’s sacked driver “victim of serious injustice”
Premier Steven Marshall has announced the three MPs will be elevated into his new-look ministry, after a trio of sensational cabinet resignations at the weekend.
Senior Liberal sources late Monday said Speaker Vincent Tarzia was “a lock” for the ministry, and several contenders were in the running to take the two other available spots.
On Tuesday, Mr Marshall announced Mr Tarzia along with Stephen Patterson and David Basham had been promoted.
Follow this link for the latest on the Cabinet reshuffle
The overhaul will also require a rejig in a range of senior parliamentary positions, including finding a new Upper House president and manager of government business.
Elevation to the ministry brings a pay rise of up to $150,000 for those coming off the backbench, as well as access to a ministerial chauffer and car and extra personal staff.
Former dairy farmer David Basham is said to be in close consideration for a ministry, and possibly a good fit for the vacant agricultural posting.
Former footballer Stephen Patterson, assistant minister Carolyn Power and Hills MP Josh Teague are also being considered.
While an announcement is expected on Tuesday, official swearing in may be delayed to tomorrow.
Mr Teague is also considered as a possible option for speaker, to replace Mr Tarzia. The other name being promoted in Liberal circles for that job is first-term MP Dan Cregan.
Former ministers Stephan Knoll, Tim Whetstone and David Ridgway resigned on Sunday amid growing expenses and perks scandals and will go to the backbench.
Upper House President Terry Stephens will leave his post when parliament returns in September. Assistant minister Jing Lee is favoured by many senior Liberals, but fellow MPs John Dawkins and Dennis Hood are said to have been seeking support to become president.
Mr Knoll’s role as the Liberals’ chief parliamentary strategist, manager of government business, will become vacant. Likely replacements are Education Minister John Gardner or Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan.
Mr Knoll’s former massive portfolio workload of transport, infrastructure, councils and planning is likely to be split between several replacements. Many Liberal insiders believe that Environment and Water Minister David Speirs is due for a significant promotion. There is also support in some corners of the party for the elevation of Nicola Centofanti, who only joined parliament in April, possibly to an assistant ministry.
With numbers tight in parliament, some Labor sources have suggested the government could move to appoint an independent speaker. That idea has been rubbished by well-placed Liberals.
New MPs cannot swear by their bible on travel costs
- Elizabeth Henson, Matt Smith
South Australia’s newest MP was given a “politicians’ bible” with incorrect information about a controversial travel allowance, Treasurer Rob Lucas says.
Liberal MP Nicola Centofanti has told The Advertiser she was given “misleading” advice from the clerk of the Legislative Council when she was sworn into the Upper House on April 7 this year.
Mr Lucas has confirmed the Members Handbook appears to have conflicting information about MPs’ entitlements.
“The Members Handbook is the bible given to new MPs on day one,” Mr Lucas.
“There is a reasonable expectation that what is in it, is correct. But this has highlighted one of the problems surrounding the allowance.”
Ms Centofanti who filled a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of former president Andrew McLachlan, started claiming the allowance from the first day she entered parliament on April 7, and claimed $1638 for seven nights.
Ms Centofanti is confident she has claimed correctly because of the expenses she incurs at an Adelaide apartment owned by her family.
She said she is responsible for, and has paid, strata fees, electricity, water and gas expenses. But out of an abundance of caution, she stopped claiming until clear advice was provided by the Remuneration Tribunal.
“The Members Handbook I received in April by the clerk of the Legislative Council was misleading and appears to have been incorrect in its advice, as it unambiguously stated that the allowance was payable for any night country members spent away from their normal place of residence,” she said.
The former rural veterinarian, who lives in Winkie, a 2¾ hour drive from Adelaide, said she was assured by the clerk her expense claims were appropriate.
She also provided The Advertiser with the pictures of the page from the handbook.
The Advertiser has attempted to contact the clerk.