SA Liberals’ factional war deepens after ‘embarrassing climbdown’ over James Stevens’ Sturt electorate

Cheating claims and fears of a looming legal “clusterf**k” have taken the factional brawl over SA’s most marginal seat to new depths.

A “cheating” row embroiling the South Australian Liberals has deepened its bitter factional war amid legal threats within the state’s most marginal federal seat.

In a “war of the posers” drama, Sturt federal electorate branch office bearers were banned from party decisions after dishonesty claims at a June annual general meeting.

A new wave of internal warfare erupted after the rare, but disputed, rebuke from the party’s state executive board amid Supreme Court injunction threats and contradictory legal advice.

But in what moderate critics described as a “hugely embarrassing” climbdown, the 10-member conservative-controlled executive this week dropped the bans.

Another war of words erupted amid claims the committee’s decision showed the constitution had not been breached despite some officials insisting “cheating” had been exposed.

Member for Sturt James Stevens, who was not involved in the fracas. Picture Kelly Barnes

Mr Stevens with partner State Liberal party director Alex May, who recused herself from the row. Picture: Facebook

The decision, which senior sources claimed was to protect federal MP James Stevens from a legal “clusterf***”, means eight volunteer “delegates” can now vote on the party’s powerful 215-member state council on Saturday.

The council, which rules on political races and future MPs, currently favours the “right” faction after a membership “bloodbath”, firebrand Senator Alex Antic has spearheaded.

One senior source claimed the actions of some “f***wits” within the party seemed to demonstrate “a complete irreverence to winning elections”.

“The Sturt fiasco shows that this is a club of little swinging d***s, who are more fixated on internal domination than governing this state.”

Officials said the executive’s “out of session” decision on Wednesday to rescind the bans came despite “rock solid” legal advice from a leading “silk” barrister supporting its punishment.

The row erupted after members, predominantly from the “left” faction, were accused of “skulduggery” to influence volunteer positions for Mr Stevens, who holds Australia’s second most marginal seat by a 0.45 per cent margin.

Sources described a plot from the political Netflix drama House of Cards starring Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey as shady US politician Frank Underwood.

House Of Cards Robin Wright as Claire Underwood, right Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood, centre. Picture: Netflix

Mr Stevens, who has already secured Liberal preselection for the next federal election likely next year, had no involvement in the AGM row at the Norwood Football club.

Leaked documents show Simon Ower, KC, advised that the executive’s July 8 ban resolution was “proper, lawful and correct” nor open to a court challenge. “There is no objectively correct view, whether as a matter of law or politics. There is only the final view of the State Executive,” his six page opinion for party headquarters concluded.

Amid ongoing debate, the board wished to keep the “status quo … for the good of the party” and “put to bed” legal threats as Sturt delegates would not sway council voting, sources said.

“The Eastern suburbs left have cheated and they have been caught out,” one official said.

Another added: “If (they) can’t run an AGM without chaos erupting then what confidence can the people of the Eastern suburbs have?”

Senator Alex Antic with Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty who also sits on the state executive as a vice president. Picture: Facebook

Other insiders were scathing about a decision forced after interventions from party elders, different legal advice and accusations of a lack of fairness.

“It’s a humiliating episode for a group of people who think that they can ignore our constitution and make up rules on the run,” one said.

In a rare public statement before he retires after two terms, state president Rowan Mumford, said: “The matter was resolved unanimously in the interest of unity although legitimate questions of compliance were raised.

“I am confident that the party will continue to modernise and prepare for the most important federal election we have faced in Australia’s history.”

Neither Mr Stevens, whose partner state director Alex May recused herself from the row, nor Senator Antic commented.