Charlotte Varcoe
THE South Australian Liberal Party has been “taken over” by the far right, according to a local branch president, who has voiced his concerns after Nick McBride quit the party and a tumultuous convention meeting.
Robe Liberal Branch president James Yates said he would no longer support the leader, David Speirs, or state president Rowan Mumford.
Mr Yates is also doubtful the party will win back the State Government for many years.
It follows the resignation of MacKillop MP Nick McBride who left the Liberal Party recently due to accusations of factionalism.
Mr McBride is now an Independent Member representing the electorate of MacKillop.
In his official statement, Mr McBride stated recently the factions within the Liberal Party had “re-visited” the seat of MacKillop and “removed the very team that worked so hard” to re-elect Mr McBride.
“I no longer have the core support required in the Liberal Party, and as I have said, I believe my position as a Liberal is untenable,” Mr McBride said.
Mr Yates echoed the MacKillop MP’s sentiments, claiming at the recent MacKillop State Electoral Convention annual general meeting there were those among the estimated 70 members who were actively trying to remove the current committee.
Mr Yates said the committee expected RSVPs lower than what would attend in a “deliberate tactic to surprise the existing committee”.
“There were a number of people who had come and not stayed for the luncheon and had not notified they were coming and some of them had only been a member for long enough to vote,” Mr Yates said.
“We were aware there was a move on to remove the existing committee and we were also aware that a ticket of instructions had been given to some prior to the meeting on how to vote only days before the meeting.
“I understand why Nick McBride has pulled the pin and I have spoken with Nick over quite some time telling him to stick with it because we was very self-conscious about the fact he was elected as a Liberal and did not want to be accused of using the Liberal Party to be elected then abandon.
“He has been treated so poorly in Adelaide but there are a few on his side.”
Mr Yates said he believed the “far right featuring religious groupings has essentially taken over” the State Liberal Party, particularly the State Council.
“Due to this I am very doubtful the Liberals will win back the State Government for many years,” Mr Yates said.
“I am still a Liberal member and still president of the Robe Liberal Branch but I will no longer support David Speirs and Rowan Mumford – who is the State Liberal president – particularly following their comments on Nick McBride in recent days.
“I believe what is happening here is the Liberal Party lost government and have decided to go far right religious and people won’t vote for them because of that.”
Newly inducted MacKillop Liberal Council president Matthew Neumann responded to the statements, claiming he did not think the “far right” was taking over the party.
“The Liberal Party is representative of the State and region that it is within and represents a broad array of backgrounds and viewpoints, that from it brings strong policy and increasing momentum that will lead to a strong showing in the state election in 2026 by focusing on the everyday issues and needs of the people of the South East,” Mr Neumann said.
He said the “democratic process” of the election from the annual general meeting took place with the support “shown for that that were elected in the room”.
Speaking on Mr McBride leaving the Liberal Party, Mr Neumann said he was “disappointed” as he was “looking forward to working with Mr McBride” within the electorate.
“I am also disappointed for the people of MacKillop that voted him in 15 months ago as the Liberal member,” he said.
“We are looking at the big picture of not only contesting strongly but winning back government at the next state election in 2026 and I want to keep putting out the message and values of the Liberal Party and we are moving forward as a vibrant party that has cast strong vision for the future.”
Mr Yates said Senator Alex Antic and Barker MP Tony Pasin had attended meetings in the Barker electorate to “recruit new members who support their directions“.
In response to a series of questions put forward by The Border Watch, Senator Alex Antic said Mr Pasin was the “hardest working member“ of Parliament he had ever come across.
“He [Tony] is well liked by the community and by local party members as his comprehensive recent success during the Barker pre-selection confirms,“ Mr Antic said.
“I often visit the South East for the purposes of talking to community groups of all different types and I don’t define people based on their race or faith.
“It is very disappointing to see The Border Watch falling for such nonsense and one can only imagine the outrage which would be expressed if these questions had been pitched labelling people as ’Muslim’ or ’LGBTI’ in such a manner.“
Both Mr Pasin and Mr Speirs declined to comment.
