New South Australian Liberal Leader Unveils Shadow Cabinet

Meanwhile, Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas is touting his economic record ahead of the state election, due in less than 100 days

A general view of Rundle Mall in Adelaide, Australia, on Sept. 29, 2016. Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

New South Australian Liberal leader Ashton Hurn has unveiled her shadow cabinet to take the party to the next state election, due in less than 100 days.

Hurn was elected unopposed to lead the party on Dec. 8 after former leader Vincent Tarzia stepped down. She became the third state female Liberal leader within a month to take on the top job.

Hurn, 34 was elected to parliament in 2022 after working in a senior role for former South Australian Liberal Premier Steven Marshall.

“My team and I are really excited about what what we have got in store in terms of policies and our focus areas,” she told reporters on Dec. 12.

“This streamlined approach really does reflect the priorities that we will be taking to the next election—of making sure that we’ve got an affordable South Australia for families and businesses, making sure that we have a better health system, not just for patients but of course our staff as well and making sure that we have safe communities right across South Australia.”

Shadow cabinet members have not changed, but portfolios have been adjusted.

Tarzia will remain in the portfolios of sport, recreation and racing. Hurn will focus on her leadership, opting not to take on a specific portfolio.

“I’m excited to have Vincent remain in my team,” Hurn said.

Right-wing aligned Ben Hood will be the shadow treasurer and also take on the portfolios of small and family business, industrial relations and the public sector.

Moderate MP for Bragg and backer Jack Batty has been promoted to education on top of police and correctional services, as well as the arts.

Nicola Centofanti, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, will retain regional development, water and primary industries.

Deputy leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council Heidi Girolomo takes on the health and wellbeing portfolio, while Deputy Leader Josh Teague will be the Shadow Attorney General, along with shadow aboriginal affairs and shadow child protection minister.

Who Else Is In the Cabinet?

Moderate Michelle Lensink will be responsible for planning, housing, human services, women, domestic, family and sexual violence.

Member for Morphett Stephen Patterson will be the shadow minister for energy, defence and space industries and mining.

Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone takes on trade, industry, investment and emergency services.

Member for Flinders Sam Telfer has lost his treasury portfolio, but will be taking on the shadow portfolios of infrastructure, transport and local government.

Penny Pratt, representing the seat of Ngadjuri for the 2026 election, will be responsible for regional health services and tourism. Member for Finniss David Basham takes on the shadow portfolios of climate and the environment.

Member of the Legislative Council Dennis Hood will be the shadow minister for training and skills and multicultural affairs.

Meanwhile, Member for Hammond Adrian Pederick has been appointed shadow minister for veterans affairs and regional roads.

Member of the Legislative Council Laura Henderson will be shadow assistant minister to the leader, along with a shadow assistant minister to a wide range of portfolios including attorney general, child protection, youth, multicultural affairs and shadow cabinet secretary.

Labor Promoting Budget Surplus, Employment Record

Meanwhile, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has been promoting his role in the social media ban and surplus budget update.

Malinauskas reported a $273 million surplus for the 2025 financial year on Dec. 11, up from the predicted $18 million.

“For every budget this government has delivered, it has been a surplus. We haven’t just forecast a surplus, we have actually delivered it. Our state’s economy is in a position that we not seen in my lifetime,” he said on Dec. 11

Malinauskas also touted the government’s record on unemployment, with the rate falling 0.3 percent to 4 percent.

“We are essentially at full employment in South Australia,” the premier claimed.