First term MP Ashton Hurn has been confirmed as the new leader of the Liberal Party in South Australia.
Hurn, South Australia’s opposition spokesperson on health, will replace Vincent Tarzia who stepped down from the leadership on Friday.
Hurn’s appointment to the top job comes just three months out from the next state election in South Australia.
Hurn was unanimously chosen at a Liberal Party meeting on Monday morning.
“I’d like to take this moment just to sincerely thank our former leader, Vincent Tarzia, for his dedication and his service over the last 16 months,” Hurn told reporters on Monday.
“There is no doubt that we have an absolute mountain to climb, between now and next March. But my team and I are absolutely committed to making sure that we get to work for the people of South Australia.”
Hurn has become the fourth woman elected to a leadership role in the Liberal Party in just over six months. Her appointment follows Sussan Ley as federal Liberal Party leader, Jess Wilson as Victorian Liberal Party leader and Kellie Sloane as New South Wales Liberal Party leader.
Hurn’s elevation to the leadership comes after Tarzia said his time in the role had been “very challenging”. He resigned after 16 months in the role and just ahead of the state election next year. The most recent polling shows the Liberal Party trailing the incumbent Labor Party.
Hurn is the second ever female leader of the South Australian Liberals.