Federal Liberal senator Alex Antic has been elected president of the South Australian Liberal Party, defeating upper house leader Nicola Centofanti by 119 votes to 73.
The internal party position involves overseeing campaign preparations and setting meeting agendas. Antic replaces fellow senator Leah Blyth, who held the presidency for two years.
Antic has said he wants to give Liberal Party members a greater role in the party’s policy direction. In a message to delegates before the ballot, he said he would seek to restore policy authority to members.
His election has prompted discussion within the party about the relationship between the organisational and parliamentary wings. The ABC reported that the state president role does not itself make parliamentary policy, while Antic has indicated he wants members to have a greater say.
Antic has also developed links with One Nation figures and has previously supported cooperation between the Liberal Party and One Nation on some political issues. One Nation’s South Australian leader Cory Bernardi welcomed Antic’s election and described it as an opportunity for the Liberals to move in a different direction.
The presidency comes after the South Australian Liberals were reduced to five lower house seats at the March state election. Party leader Ashton Hurn has said the parliamentary team and organisational wing have different roles, while some Liberal figures have raised concerns about the direction of the party.
Antic has also been involved in internal debates over vaccination policy and has spoken publicly about climate change and other social issues. His election has therefore become a point of discussion about the party’s future policy direction, but the practical influence of the state presidency will depend on how the organisational and parliamentary wings work together.
ABC reported that Antic defeated Centofanti in the party delegates’ ballot and that Centofanti said she respected the decision and supported the party moving forward.
The development follows earlier Australia By Aussie coverage of Australian political debates, including the Liberal Party’s relationship with One Nation.
