View from The Hill: Hard-right Alex Antic in strong position to become SA Liberal president

The South Australian Liberal Party has descended into a dysfunctional battleground amid controversial right-wing Senator Alex Antic’s bid to take over the state presidency and a coming battle over Senate preselections.

The state party’s Senate ticket is shaping up to be a bunfight, with three senators up for election but perhaps only one, and at the most two, likely to survive at the 2028 election. This will make for an intense contest for the number one spot on the ticket.

Those up for reelection are Leah Blyth, who is the party’s current state president, Andrew McLachlan, an outspoken moderate, and Kerrynne Liddle, shadow assistant minister for health and aged care.

At the April SA state election, the Liberals won only two of 11 available upper house seats, and the party will face serious competition in the Senate from One Nation at the federal election.

Tensions within the right boiled up earlier this year over the Liberal response to the government’s anti hate legislation. This has led to a falling out between Blyth and the Antic group, of whom she was part. When she was sworn in early last year, taking a casual vacancy, she was escorted by Antic and well as by Michaelia Cash, the opposition leader in the Senate.

The Antic group expected Blyth to cross the floor to vote against the anti hate legislation, as Antic did. But she only absented herself from the chamber. The three other SA Liberal senators (who include deputy Liberal Senate leader Anne Ruston) voted for the legislation.

It is understood there have been concerns expressed within the state division about the conduct of Antics’ right-hand man, Dom Gelonese.

The SA Liberal division has always been sharply split between conservative and moderate factions, and feelings have traditionally been bitter.

The moderates in the division have been weakened by the departures from parliament of over recent years of their earlier leaders Christopher Pyne and Simon Birmingham.

The division’s annual general meeting, where the president will be elected, was delayed because of an administrative issues but will now be held on September 19. Nominations for president are due by August 28. The position carries a place on the party’s federal executive.

As his critics try to head off Antic, the Liberal state opposition leader, Ashton Hurn, a moderate, and others are reported to have a “mystery candidate” for president, triggering intense speculation about their identity.

Antic is seen as close to One Nation, and has said, “I think it is important not to shut out the possibility of a coalition” with that party.

There has been speculation he might defect to One Nation. Questioned on this after the South Australian election, he said he “had no intention of going anywhere” but added “not yet”.

It is thought if Antic becomes president, this could stem the bleed of conservative branch members to One Nation.

The Antic faction’s hold on the division was demonstrated at an August 4 meeting of the Women’s Council, where the right overwhelmingly carried the votes.

Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.