Liberal candidate for Black Amanda Wilson, who joined the Liberal Party on Friday, reveals she was previously a member of the Greens

The Liberal candidate vying to replace David Speirs, who joined the Liberal Party on Friday, has revealed she was previously a member of a different political party.

Amanda Wilson with Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia speaking to media on Saturday. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The Liberal candidate vying to replace David Speirs has revealed she was previously a member of the Greens – and that Labor asked her to run in state and federal seats.

Amanda Wilson, who joined the Liberal Party on Friday and will attempt to retain the seat of Black for the party at a coming by-election, revealed in a FIVEaa radio interview on Sunday afternoon she was a member of the Greens “for a hot minute”.

“That lasted for about six months, way back at the beginning of the century,” she said.

A short time later, Treasurer Stephen Mullighan declared the Liberals have “once again chosen a candidate with questionable loyalty” – a reference to Liberal Dunstan by-election candidate Dr Anna Finizio, who had previously applied for a job with Labor.

“Not only does Amanda Wilson live two electorates away from the seat of Black in Glenelg South, but the mayor from Glenelg has now admitted she used to be a member of the Greens,” he said.

“Why can’t the Liberals find Liberals?

“The people of Black will have a clear choice in the by-election – a true local in Alex Dighton or the mayor from Glenelg who used to be a Green.”

Responding to Mr Mullighan’s criticism, Ms Wilson said she was a Greens member almost 20 years ago, and attended only three meetings.

“I realised very quickly they are not the party for me,” she said.

“Just as I realised very quickly that Labor is also not the party for me when Peter Malinauskas asked me to run in 2022 in Gibson and Penny Wong asked in the same year for me to consider Boothby.

“It was fine for the Labor Party then that I don’t live in Gibson. I note that Sarah Andrews doesn’t live in Gibson.”

Liberal Party SA president Leah Blyth said Ms Wilson was the party’s first choice.

Ms Wilson was elected as the council’s first female mayor in 2018 and prior to that was a partner at a law firm.

Speaking to media at Seacliff on Saturday, Ms Wilson said she joined the Liberal Party because she was attracted to its pro-small business and economic values.

While she lives in Glenelg South, just outside the electorate, she said she would draw on her experience governing the council area, which includes parts of Black.

The Labor Party’s candidate is Mr Dighton, a teacher, who lost by 2.7 per cent when he ran against Mr Speirs in the seat at the 2022 election.

Mr Speirs is set to resign from state parliament after being charged with supplying a controlled substance. He has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.

Originally published as Liberal candidate for Black Amanda Wilson, who joined the Liberal Party on Friday, reveals she was previously a member of the Greens