00:00Vincent Tarsier wanted the top Liberal job and the party room had the choice between
00:06him or Josh Teague as David Spears' replacement.
00:10Vincent Tarsier is the new leader of the South Australian Liberal Party.
00:14He's adamant he wasn't one of the people who worked against the former leader which helped
00:19trigger Spears' decision to quit.
00:21Did you undermine David Spears?
00:23No.
00:24Did you undermine David Spears?
00:25No, not at all.
00:26Tarsier made a courageous call for a party that's won just one state election this century.
00:31The Liberal Party will win the state election in 2026.
00:37Mr Tarsier has been in Parliament for a decade and saw off a challenge from Nick Xenophon
00:41at the 2018 election.
00:45Becoming Speaker then a Minister in the Marshall Government.
00:49With little more than 18 months before the next election, Mr Tarsier is already looking
00:54to differentiate himself from his predecessor with a peace offering for former foes.
00:59I'm putting the olive branch out right now to the Ambulance Union to sit down and have
01:05a chat.
01:06The uncontested leadership ballot some Liberals sought didn't eventuate despite Deputy John
01:11Gardiner's decision not to run.
01:14Vincent has a strength that is unparalleled.
01:18He has a capacity for work that is unmatched.
01:22Other colleagues trying to move on from a chaotic few days.
01:26Ultimately our focus needs to be on fighting hard for South Australians and representing
01:30them and their interests.
01:31We're not talking about division today, we're talking about unity today.
01:34We've got a new leader, we'll support him.
01:37He'll keep the team united as David Spears did.
01:39David Spears led a very united team.
01:41The Government has a different view.
01:44Treachery can't get you over the line in an election.
01:47Treachery will only get you so far.
01:49Treachery can get you the Liberal Party leadership, but it won't get you an election victory.
01:54There was no public comment from David Spears following the ballot, despite his threat to
01:58leave the party if he believed those who undermined him were rewarded.
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