In a bid to end a tumultuous fortnight, the South Australian Liberal Party has elected Ashton Hurn as its new leader, unopposed. The move aims to restore stability within the opposition ranks with a crucial state election now less than 15 weeks away.
A Meteoric Rise Amidst Political Chaos
Ashton Hurn's elevation to the top job comes after two weeks of internal chaos, following the resignation of former leader Vincent Tarzia. She becomes the fourth female Liberal leader in the country, following recent appointments in Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT. However, her promotion leaves a significant gap in the critical shadow health portfolio, where she had built a reputation for holding the government firmly to account.
Hurn, who is approaching her 35th birthday, is a young mother representing the electorate of Schubert in the Barossa Valley. Taking on the leadership will require her to spend most of her time on the second floor of Parliament House on North Terrace, the base for the Opposition. She faces the immediate task of regrouping staff and continuing the rollout of Liberal policies as if the recent upheaval never occurred—a challenge described as requiring a "superhuman effort."
Navigating Internal and External Attacks
Labor has swiftly attempted to frame Hurn as treacherous for unseating Tarzia, but insiders reject this characterisation outright. Hurn never actively sought to take the top job from anyone but was prepared to accept it if drafted, a position that Tarzia himself does not dispute. The push for her leadership came from other party members after internal polling suggested the Liberals could be reduced to as few as four seats in the March election.
By Friday, state Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis and Health Minister Chris Picton had launched unproven claims that Hurn was deeply involved in a conspiracy to seize power. However, Premier Peter Malinauskas notably refrained from repeating such accusations over the weekend. Analysts suggest his restraint may stem from his own political history; in 2011, he was a key factional player in bringing down Labor Premier Mike Rann.
The Uphill Battle to March 21
Despite the change in leadership, the SA Liberals are still widely predicted to face a significant defeat at the state election on March 21. Hurn's immediate tests are formidable: she must steady the ship, rally the troops, boost morale, and engage the public with compelling policies to improve the party's dismal opinion polls.
Labor's quick attempts to discredit Hurn on social media signal that she has already forced them onto a new path. The party must now carefully navigate the unfamiliar territory of campaigning against a young mother at the helm, as attacks on her character risk backfiring.
As the summer election campaign begins, all eyes will be on whether Ashton Hurn can transform the Liberal Party's fortunes in an incredibly short timeframe. The political landscape in South Australia has undoubtedly taken a dramatic new turn.
