Vincent Tarzia

Member of Parliament (2010–2018)

Tarzia decided to join the Liberal Party of Australia since it shared many of his values.^[1] Steven Marshall suggested that Tarzia should contest council elections before pursuing state parliament. Tarzia won a council seat in 2010, leading the polls in his constituency, becoming a councillor at the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.^[7]

In the lead-up to the 2014 state election, Tarzia was ordered to remove three campaign posters for violating electoral regulations after the Electoral Commission upheld a complaint.^[8] He went on to win the previously Labor-held seat of Hartley from Grace Portolesi at the election on 15 March,^[7] by a margin of 0.1%.^[9] In his maiden speech, he said he "had no political bloodline" but aimed to improve his community and South Australia.^[6] Later that year, he introduced the Freedom of Information (Offences) Amendment Bill,^[10] and again the following year.^[11] In January 2016, he was appointed parliamentary secretary for entrepreneurship, innovation and business start-ups,^[12] and in January 2017 he became Shadow Cabinet Parliamentary Secretary.^[1]

On 6 October 2017, Nick Xenophon announced he would resign from the Senate and contest Tarzia's seat of Hartley at the 2018 state election.^[13] At the same time, Portolesi was also attempting to regain the seat.^[14] Tarzia's victory in 2018 contributed to the Liberals returning to power after 16 years in opposition. Following the result, Marshall described him as the "Lion of Hartley".^[15] On a two-party preferred basis, Tarzia received 58.6% of the vote, while Xenophon received 41.4%.^[14]

Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly

Following his unexpected win, speculation emerged that Tarzia would become Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly after Marshall confirmed he would support and endorse him and strongly encouraged him to nominate.^[16] On 3 May 2018, Tarzia was sworn in as Speaker on the opening day of parliament,^[17] becoming the youngest person to hold the position.^[6][18] He also stated that he was the first Speaker of non–Anglo-Saxon origin in South Australia.^[1] Later that year, in an effort to promote "openness and accountability," he became the first person in Australia to allow question time to be broadcast live on Facebook.^[19]

In September 2019, Tarzia announced that, during major legislative debates, he would use his casting vote to preserve the "status quo" in tied votes, including on proposed reforms relating to property tax and sex work laws.^[20] As Speaker, he was responsible for maintaining order in parliament and frequently removed MPs from the chamber for disruptive behaviour during debates. In 2019, 24 MPs were expelled from the lower house 168 times, compared with 20 MPs being expelled 85 times the previous year.^[21]

In January 2020, Tarzia launched an investigation into several allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving fellow Liberal MP Sam Duluk.^[22] The following month, he acknowledged the limitations of parliamentary procedures in dealing with misconduct allegations against MPs, stating that, as Speaker, he lacked the authority to directly sanction Duluk even if the allegations were proven. He explained that, if the claims were substantiated, he could only invite the parties involved to participate in conciliation or mediation. Tarzia also confirmed that he would be the sole recipient of the independent investigation report and would decide whether it would be made public.^[23]

In March 2020, a Labor opposition attempt to remove Tarzia as Speaker was triggered by accusations that he had shown bias towards the Marshall government and had improperly handled the Duluk investigation. Tom Koutsantonis stated that Labor no longer had confidence in Tarzia's ability to manage parliament impartially, while independent MPs also supported a debate on whether he should remain Speaker. However, the motion to suspend question time and debate his position ended in a 22–22 tied vote and was defeated, with Stephan Knoll publicly declaring his complete confidence in Tarzia.^[24]

Later in 2020, Tarzia became embroiled in the Country Members Accommodation Allowance scandal, which centred on statements by Marshall regarding housing and residency arrangements connected to parliamentary expenses. In June 2020, Tarzia and Terry Stephens supported the release of Country Members Accommodation Allowance payment details in an effort to improve transparency and reduce uncertainty surrounding the system.^[25] Amid continuing controversy over the scandal, Tarzia later resigned as Speaker during a cabinet reshuffle.^[6]

Cabinet minister (2020–2021)

Following the expenses and benefits scandals, Tarzia was appointed Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services in a cabinet reshuffle by the Marshall government on 28 July 2020.^[26][27] He was sworn into cabinet the following day at Government House and simultaneously became a member of the Executive Council.^[28] During this period, Tarzia also sought to repair relations with the hospitality industry, which had become strained during the final period of the Marshall government due to strict COVID-19 restrictions.^[3]

Later in 2020, Tarzia criticised the former Weatherill government for failing to improve motorcycle safety during its time in office. He described consultation on motorcycle safety reforms as "exhaustive" and said it would lead to "well-considered reform", although both he and Corey Wingard were accused by Lee Odenwalder of delaying action on motorcycle safety issues.^[29] In November, Tarzia and the Marshall government announced an A$800,000 funding boost to Crime Stoppers South Australia, representing the first direct state government funding for the organisation.^[30]

In February 2021, Tarzia and David Littleproud jointly announced more than $2 million in disaster risk reduction funding for South Australia through the Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Programme.^[31] On 3 March, Tarzia introduced the Motor Vehicles (Motor Bike Driver Licensing) Amendment Bill 2020 as part of changes to the motorcycle Graduated Licensing Scheme, including raising the minimum age for a motorcycle learner’s permit from 16 to 18.^[32] On 1 July, he introduced stricter anti-hoon driving laws requiring suspected offenders to pay more than $1,100 to recover seized vehicles and allowing confiscated vehicles to be sold or destroyed before court proceedings concluded.^[33] Speaking on ABC Radio Adelaide, Tarzia stated that he had "no sympathy" for dangerous drivers.^[34]

In August 2021, Tarzia faced criticism after police officers circulated a private letter from Labor MP Jayne Stinson during traffic operations in Adelaide's west. Drivers reported that officers displayed or distributed copies of Stinson's letter while issuing traffic fines, with some allegedly being told to contact her if they objected to the fines. Tarzia said he could not explain how the letter had reached frontline police officers and initially stated that there was nothing to suggest wrongdoing had occurred.^[35] Later that year, in November 2021, he introduced legislation targeting drug driving, under which drivers who failed roadside drug tests could have their licences suspended immediately.^[36]

Speirs shadow ministry (2022–2024)

Following the 2022 state election, which resulted in the defeat of the Liberals, Tarzia lost his ministerial positions on 21 March 2022, although he retained the seat of Hartley with a margin of more than 3 per cent.^[6][28] After David Speirs was elected Opposition Leader in the 2022 South Australian Liberal Party leadership election on 19 April,^[37] Tarzia was appointed Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Sport, Recreation and Racing as part of Speirs's "fresh-faced" and "youthful" shadow ministry, which included several first-term MPs.^[38]

On 29 January 2023, Tarzia was given the additional shadow portfolio of Road Safety.^[39] The following month, he criticised the Malinauskas government for failing to release its promised Road Safety Action Plan.^[40] Tarzia had previously overseen long-term agreements that privatised Adelaide's tram services to Torrens Connect and train services to Keolis Downer, despite earlier assurances from Marshall that there were no plans for privatisation.^[41] On 19 April 2024, Tarzia relinquished his existing shadow portfolios and was appointed Shadow Minister for Business and Hospitality.^[39]

Leader of the Opposition (2024–2025)

Tarzia viewed his leadership as an opportunity to "refresh," "refocus," and "recalibrate" the Liberal Party ahead of the 2024 South Australian Liberal Party leadership election. Following Speirs' resignation, he defeated Josh Teague by 18 votes to four on 12 August 2024 to become party leader. John Gardner supported the new leader and did not contest the leadership. Tarzia denied undermining Speirs and rejected claims he had attacked him, instead describing Speirs as "a friend," "supporter," and "warrior for the Liberal Party." Following the leadership spill, MPs including Tim Whetstone and Adrian Pederick publicly backed Tarzia, emphasising party unity.^[6]

In the aftermath, reports on 14 August 2024 stated that Speirs felt betrayed by internal undermining during the leadership transition and initially hesitated to endorse Tarzia, suggesting he would consider leaving the party if those involved were rewarded. Tarzia said he had spoken with Speirs and described their discussion as productive, adding that he still regarded Speirs as part of the Liberal "family" following his return from Scotland.^[4] On 19 August, Tarzia reshaped the Shadow Cabinet in an effort to reposition the Liberals ahead of the upcoming state election, following ongoing internal tensions including Speirs' claim that he had "had a gutful" of leaks and destabilisation before his resignation.^[42] In his inaugural address as Opposition Leader at the Liberal State Council Annual General Meeting on 26 August, Tarzia called on the party's conservative and moderate factions to "come together" and unite ahead of the upcoming state and federal elections, arguing the Liberals were strongest when the "classic Liberal tradition and the conservative tradition" worked together.^[43]

Avoiding a media pack, Tarzia said he was eager to meet John Howard, whom he regarded as one of Australia's greatest prime ministers, and expressed support for Nicolle Flint and James Stevens. When Speirs returned from vacation on 3 September, he said he learned through the media that Tarzia had removed him from the front bench.^[44] Three days later, Speirs warned that the Liberal Party faced an "election disaster" if internal dysfunction continued and called for the party to be placed under federal control. The comments came amid ongoing tension between Speirs and Tarzia, with Tarzia denying claims of major internal dysfunction and describing Speirs' call for federal intervention as "laughable." Tarzia said that after Speirs was removed from the front bench during his absence, he expected to meet with him to "iron out" disagreements.^[45]

On 16 November 2024, Tarzia argued that the Liberals lost the election because they focused too heavily on governance rather than campaigning. He said the party needed to occupy a "middle ground," describing himself as aligned with the moderate faction while also maintaining support from conservatives, and insisted he would not be a "puppet of the factions." He outlined key priorities including health ramping, crime, cost of living, debt, housing, energy, and jobs, and expressed support for Peter Dutton's nuclear energy policy. While some critics accused him of lacking a clear vision for South Australia, Tarzia responded that political careers are brief in nature.^[7] In addition, debate over a late-term abortion proposal introduced by Sarah Game on 18 November 2024 exposed further divisions within the Liberal Party. The proposal appeared to conflict with Tarzia's earlier position that late-term abortion reform was "a distraction" and would not be revisited under his leadership, with Tarzia reiterating on ABC Radio that the issue would not be pursued under his direction.^[46][47]

After two significant departures from the Liberal ranks, Tarzia announced a reorganisation of the Shadow Cabinet on 21 January 2025,^[48] followed by his appointment as Shadow Minister for Business the next day.^[39] On 5 May 2025, he accepted the Liberal Party's poor federal election result in South Australia "with grace and humility," stating the party would "re-double our efforts to earn the trust and support of South Australians." He pointed to housing and the preservation of agricultural land as key concerns and said the party would pursue new policy directions, while declining to compare federal and state results but maintaining confidence in winning the 2026 state election.^[49][50]

At Budget Eve on 4 June 2025, Tarzia called for a "proper plan" to reduce energy prices, including rebates or incentives for household solar batteries (costed at about $19–20 million), stamp duty relief for first-home buyers, scrapping GP payroll tax, funding for the Greater Adelaide heavy vehicle bypass, and drought relief measures including low-interest or no-interest loans.^[51] On 1 August 2025, he was appointed Shadow Minister for Workforce and Population Growth.^[48] On 17 September 2025, he criticised Frank Pangallo for submitting incorrect parliamentary citations, describing it as a mistake that was acknowledged, while rejecting calls for his removal from the Budget and Finance Committee and emphasising that sources must be properly verified.^[52]

On 5 November 2025, Tarzia unveiled a housing tax reform package proposing the gradual abolition of stamp duty in South Australia by 2041, describing it as an "inefficient tax" that disadvantages first-home buyers and older Australians while improving affordability and competitiveness.^[53] He also outlined a broader agenda focused on small government, controlled migration, and economic growth, while reaffirming support for net zero despite internal tensions and reported membership losses.^[54] On 1 December 2025, he proposed establishing an Office for the Night Time Economy, costing about $1.7 million per year, to support Adelaide's hospitality sector by reducing red tape, simplifying regulation, and encouraging after-dark activity.^[55]

Resignation and 2026 state election

Just three months before the next state election, on 5 December 2025, Tarzia resigned from the Liberal leadership.^[56] At a press conference, he said the decision was made that morning after "careful reflection," citing the challenge of balancing leadership responsibilities with his family and electorate duties.^[57] He also confirmed he would recontest his seat of Hartley at the next state election and continue serving as its representative. The resignation came amid internal party briefings pointing to poor polling and the possibility that the Liberals could lose most of their 13 seats at the March 2026 election. In the context of wider leadership instability, he became the fourth Liberal leader across Australian states and territories to resign in recent months.^[58] Ashton Hurn was subsequently elected as his successor on 8 December with strong support from party colleagues.^[59]

On 12 December 2025, Tarzia stepped down from his previous ministerial roles and took on the position of Shadow Minister for Sport, Recreation and Racing.^[48] However, at the 2026 South Australian state election, he lost his seat of Hartley to Labor candidate Jenn Roberts, who secured 54.7% of the vote after an 8.3% swing, overturning a previously Liberal-held margin of 3.6%.^[60]