Image: Ashton Hurn MP – Member for Schubert
South Australia’s Liberal Party has officially appointed first-term MP Ashton Hurn as its new leader, with the party room endorsing her unopposed at a meeting on Monday morning. The decision, while widely expected, marks a significant shift for the Liberals as they prepare for the state election now just months away.
Hurn becomes the party’s third leader since the Liberals lost government in 2022, taking the reins following Vincent Tarzia’s resignation late last week. Tarzia, who steps back to focus on his young family and local commitments in Hartley, offered his support as the party moved quickly to solidify its leadership team ahead of a crucial campaign period.
Ashton Hurn comment 08/12:
Representing the Barossa Valley seat of Schubert since 2022, Hurn has built her political profile through the health portfolio and is regarded internally as a strategic communicator with strong regional credentials. Before entering parliament, she held key roles in government, including serving as director of media and communications to then-Premier Steven Marshall, as well as advisory positions to federal Liberal figures.
Her leadership comes at a time of both challenge and opportunity for the party. Recent polling suggests a difficult electoral landscape for the Liberals, but senior figures believe a focused reset, united messaging and a clear set of policy positions could shift momentum in the months ahead. Hurn’s elevation is seen by many inside the party as a chance to stabilise the organisation, sharpen its priorities and present a refreshed alternative to South Australians.
Hurn’s personal story has also shaped her public profile. Born and raised in the Barossa, she is part of a family that has lived in the region for more than 170 years. Last year, she and her husband welcomed their son, Rupert, becoming the seventh generation of their family to call Angaston home.
Monday’s vote makes Hurn the fourth person to lead the Liberal Party since the last election. With the clock now ticking toward March, her task is immediate: unite the party, develop a compelling election platform and introduce herself to voters across the state at a time when political attention is intensifying.
The meeting that confirmed her leadership unfolded amid a wider weekend of political activity. Independent MLC Jing Lee launched her state election campaign with a major supporter event at the Adelaide Convention Centre, while Legislative Councillor Sarah Game confirmed changes to her Fair Go for Australians upper house ticket ahead of next year’s poll.
For the Liberals, however, today marks the beginning of a new chapter. Hurn now steps into the spotlight as she leads the party into a high-stakes election battle that will shape South Australia’s political future.
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