Quitting
Leader and
Premier,
Steven Marshall, had held the position of leader from 2013 (9 years, 74 days), coming to the position following competitive, indecisive leadership contests.[9][10] He was subsequently one of the longest-serving leaders of the party. Upon his party's loss, he stated: “I thank all my past and current colleagues for their support over the past nine years and will do all that I can to assist the new Liberal leader to succeed.” Adding: “I also look forward to continuing to serve the people of
Dunstan.”[11]
With the new composition of the
State Parliament, the total number of MPs (parliamentary
caucus) eligible to vote were twenty-four. These were sixteen
Assembly members and eight
Council members.
The first announced candidate for the leadership ballot was
MacKillop MP
Nick McBride on 21 March, two days after the
election. Having almost quit the party a year prior, and only being in
Parliament since
2018, the backbencher was considered the weakest candidate.[13] The next announced candidate was former
House of Assembly Speaker and former Minister for Planning and Local Government,
Josh Teague (
Heysen).[14] Just days later the expected front-runner,[14] former Environment Minister and eight-year
MPDavid Speirs, who had unsuccessfully run for Deputy Leader in 2021,[15] announced his candidacy.[16] He was the longest-serving MP of the announced candidates, and the youngest (36–38).
Quitting
Leader and
Premier,
Steven Marshall, had held the position of leader from 2013 (9 years, 74 days), coming to the position following competitive, indecisive leadership contests.[9][10] He was subsequently one of the longest-serving leaders of the party. Upon his party's loss, he stated: “I thank all my past and current colleagues for their support over the past nine years and will do all that I can to assist the new Liberal leader to succeed.” Adding: “I also look forward to continuing to serve the people of
Dunstan.”[11]
With the new composition of the
State Parliament, the total number of MPs (parliamentary
caucus) eligible to vote were twenty-four. These were sixteen
Assembly members and eight
Council members.
The first announced candidate for the leadership ballot was
MacKillop MP
Nick McBride on 21 March, two days after the
election. Having almost quit the party a year prior, and only being in
Parliament since
2018, the backbencher was considered the weakest candidate.[13] The next announced candidate was former
House of Assembly Speaker and former Minister for Planning and Local Government,
Josh Teague (
Heysen).[14] Just days later the expected front-runner,[14] former Environment Minister and eight-year
MPDavid Speirs, who had unsuccessfully run for Deputy Leader in 2021,[15] announced his candidacy.[16] He was the longest-serving MP of the announced candidates, and the youngest (36–38).