New Liberal leader reveals reshuffle
A new look Opposition Cabinet has been unveiled by new Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia in the wake of David Speirs’ resignation earlier this month.
Under the changes announced on Monday morning, Colton MP Matt Cowdrey has lost his shadow Treasury responsibilities and been given Sports and Environment.
Sam Telfer will now take on Treasury, as well as Local Government.
Heidi Girolamo has been appointed to a new “Cost of Living” portfolio.
Legislative councillor Ben Hood will join Cabinet with responsibilities for Infrastructure and Transport, Regional Roads and Government Accountability.
But there was no Cabinet position announced for former leader and Black MP David Speirs.
Tarzia was elected leader of the South Australian Liberal Party last week, following Speirs’ shock resignation on August 8 when he said he’d “had a gutful” of leaks and undermining.
Ahead of the leadership ballot following his resignation, Speirs threatened to move to the crossbench if he felt the ballot rewarded “bad behaviour”.
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Speirs pointedly did not publicly endorse Tarzia’s election but flew out for Scotland last Friday after speaking to Tarzia by phone following days of no communication between the two.
Tarzia will assume the Opposition health portfolio until Ashton Hurn returns from maternity leave, while deputy leader John Gardner will add Workforce and Population Strategy to his portfolios.
Bragg MP Jack Batty has been named Manager of Opposition Business and will take on Community Safety, Police and Correctional Services, Road Safety and the Future Economy, while Josh Teague will take on Industrial Relations.
Tarzia said the Opposition would be “working tirelessly until 2026 to push the Government to do all it can to ease the cost of living burden on South Australians”.
