Full Breakdown
Alex Antic Elected President of South Australian Liberal Party Amidst Ideological Rift
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Election of a Right-Wing Senator to State Party Presidency
Liberal senator Alex Antic was chosen by roughly 200 State Council delegates to become president of the South Australian Liberal Party at the party’s annual general meeting on Saturday. Antic defeated SA Upper House leader Nicola Centofanti, a non-Antic-aligned conservative backed by moderates. The presidency carries a seat on the Liberal Party’s federal executive alongside opposition leader Angus Taylor and federal president Tony Abbott, and it oversees campaign preparations and internal meeting agendas.
Background & Context
Antic’s bid follows a five-year recruitment drive that placed like-minded conservatives in local branches, enabling them to elect supportive delegates. His policy positions have clashed with senior Liberals: he introduced a bill to reverse the 2015 “No Jab, No Pay” policy, allowing parents to retain family tax benefits if they objected to vaccinating a child. The proposal was defeated after 34 senators—including Liberal frontbencher Anne Ruston, shadow health minister—voted against it, citing a recent rise in whooping-cough and measles cases. Antic was the sole Coalition member to support the bill, receiving backing from One Nation senators Pauline Hanson, Malcolm Roberts, Sean Bell, Tyron Whitten, and Ralph Babet of the United Australia Party.
Data & Statistics
- Delegates eligible to vote: approximately 200.
- Senate vote on Antic’s “No Jab, No Pay” reversal: 34 senators opposed; Antic was the only Coalition supporter.
- August poll: SA Liberals’ primary vote 17 %, eight points behind One Nation’s 25 %.
Official Statements & Responses
Party state director Alex Hyde confirmed Antic’s election.
> “The new president will convene the state executive soon and we all look forward to getting on with the job.” — Mr Hyde
Senator Anne Ruston warned that hospitals are already operating beyond capacity and argued the reversal would exacerbate public-health pressures.
> “We are already seeing hospitals operating beyond their capacity.” — Senator Ruston
Antic pledged to give members a “genuine say” in policy direction, emphasizing economic action on inflation, housing and energy while rejecting “net-zero orthodoxy.”
> “I will move to ensure our members have a genuine say in the policy direction of this party.” — Senator Antic
Verbatim Quotes
- “The new president will convene the state executive soon and we all look forward to getting on with the job,” — Alex Hyde, party state director
- “We are already seeing hospitals operating beyond their capacity,” — Anne Ruston, shadow health minister
- “I will move to ensure our members have a genuine say in the policy direction of this party,” — Alex Antic, Liberal senator
What’s Next
The presidency vote signals the balance of power ahead of the SA Liberal Party’s Senate preselection slated for next year, influencing candidate selection and policy priorities. The party’s internal dynamics will continue to be watched for signs of alignment with One Nation and the potential impact on its electoral competitiveness.