Veteran South Australian MP Duncan McFetridge quitting Liberal Party
EXCLUSIVE: Former Liberal frontbencher Duncan McFetridge is quitting the Liberal Party after being rolled in preselection and will move to the crossbench in State Parliament.
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FORMER Liberal frontbencher Duncan McFetridge is quitting the Liberal Party after being rolled in preselection and will move to the crossbench in State Parliament.
Dr McFetridge confirmed the move in a text message to The Advertiser, saying: “Yes. I am now having a few days off and will make a statement to Parliament next week”.
Dr McFetridge lost preselection in Morphett a fortnight ago, despite the backing of Opposition Leader Steven Marshall. He was defeated by Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson.
Dr McFetridge was dropped from the Liberal frontbench in a January reshuffle. He has previously held portfolios including health, transport corrections and emergency services.
He joins an expanding crossbench, that also includes former Labor MP Frances Bedford. Ms Bedford quit Labor in March after also being rolled for preselection. Ms Bedford was shoved aside in the seat of Florey for Health Minister Jack Snelling after a comprehensive redraw of the seat.
There are two other independents in the 47-seat State Parliament, former Liberal leader Martin Hamilton Smith and Port Pirie-based MP Geoff Brock. Both serve in Labor’s Cabinet.
Labor has 23 seats in its own right, one short of a majority.
Dr McFetridge has been a strong campaigner for voluntary euthanasia, and says he was sounded out by the Labor Party immediately after the state election in 2014 to bolster its numbers.
In 2014, Dr McFetridge said he was offered a ministry by a Labor go-between for Mr Weatherill but there was “no way I was going to betray the electors of Morphett and the Liberal Party”.
Mr Marshall today said Dr McFetridge’s exit from the party was “disappointing”.
“Like everybody in the parliamentary team, Duncan McFetridge wants to get rid of this Labor government but it’s a pity that he’s not going to remain in our team,” he said.
“He felt that it was important to make this stand.
“I’ve been speaking to Duncan throughout the time since the preselection. He said he needed some time to consider his future. We spoke again on the weekend where he indicated that he wouldn’t be remaining with the parliamentary Liberal Party. “That’s his decision.”
Mr Marshall said Dr McFetridge had not clarified his plans about a potential independent run at the next state election. He does not live in Morphett, which is a 7.7 per cent Liberal seat.
“He’s still considering his future,” Mr Marshall said.
Dr McFetridge won the first round of preselection voting, with Mr Patterson and former federal MP Matt Williams tied for second. Mr Williams was knocked out of the running when Mr Patterson’s name was drawn from a hat. Mr Williams’ preferences then flowed largely in favour of Mr Patterson, who secured the final preselection victory by a solitary vote.