SA Liberals elect Ashton Hurn for new

Leader

January 2026 Ashton Hurn has become the leader of the SA Liberal Party, just over three months out from the March state election. Ms Hurn emerged as frontrunner for the role following Vincent Tarzia’s sudden departure and confirmed she had been unanimously chosen by her colleagues at a party room meeting on 8 December. In a shock announcement, earlier in the month, Liberal leader Vincent Tarzia has told media he is stepping down after weeks of speculation, saying he only reached the decision last Friday. SA Liberal Leader Vincent Tarzia is stepping down to focus on his young family and his local community, taking effect at 5pm today. Tarzia said in a statement that the decision was made after careful reflection between leading the party, serving the people of Hartley, and being present for his wife Charissa, along with his young children aged four years and five months. “I look forward to continuing to represent the electorate of Hartley and I wish my party colleagues and supporters all the best,” he said, adding no colleague had pushed him to step down. Tarzia would again stand for the seat of Hartley at next year’s state election, saying “it was a sad day” and he only reached his decision this morning and that “I’m not bitter at all, I’m calm”. The move comes after weeks of speculation that party members were pushing for Health spokesperson Ashton Hurn to take the reins in the lead up to next year’s state election. It has been a tumultuous time for the Liberal Leader after he took the party’s top job when former leader David Speirs resigned from parliament in August last year. At the time Tarzia said this was his opportunity to “refresh” and “refocus”.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia