Liberal powerbroker couple Marcus Bastiaan and Stephanie Ross to step down

LIBERAL powerbroker couple Marcus Bastiaan and Stephanie Ross are set to step aside from key positions within the party due to family reasons.

Marcus Bastiaan with Liberal state president Michael Kroger. Picture: Supplied

LIBERAL powerbroker couple Marcus Bastiaan and Stephanie Ross are set to step aside from key positions within the party due to family reasons.

Mr Bastiaan is vice-president of the Liberal Party and Ms Ross is vice-president of the party’s women’s section, but they have announced they will be taking time off to spend more time with their family.

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A serious health issue with an immediate family member triggered the shock decision.

The couple also have a young child.

Marcus Bastiaan. Picture: Supplied

Mr Bastiaan revealed the decision on social media to friends, and said that he would still be involved in the party but not at the time-consuming level he had been.

“Due to serious health issues in our immediate family Stephanie and I have decided to step aside from our key role in the Liberal Party for the time being,” he said.

“It has not been an easy decision to make as we love being involved, but for the foreseeable future our priorities need to be with our family.”

Mr Bastiaan has been a controversial figure since rising to power in the party, and has been accused of recruiting stacks of members in key seats, including large groups of Mormons.

He has defended his role in getting new members saying it is what the party needs to succeed into the future.

In his social media post Mr Bastiaan said “with two elections on the horizon the Party needs committed volunteerism from its senior officer bearers”.

“As we are struggling to provide this it’s best to hand the baton onto members who can,” he said.

Mr Bastiaan’s replacement will be decided by a vote of the party’s State Assembly, while the Women’s Council will decide on Ms Ross’s replacement.

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