Daily London
South Australian Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia has announced he is stepping down from the role just three months out from the next state election.
Tarzia said being leader was a “tough job” and he wanted to focus on his electorate of Hartley and spend more time with his wife and two young children.
”Politics is one of these games where you either come back with your shield or on it,” he told reporters this afternoon.
“I’m not bitter at all. I’m calm. I feel relaxed, whilst it has been a bit of a sad moment to move on from this role, I’m very calm, and I want to make sure that I help and support the next leader of the Liberal Party going forward.”
Tarzia will officially step down at 5pm (ACDT) today, with shadow health spokesperson and first-term MP Ashton Hurn touted to replace him.
He denied being approached by any of his colleagues to resign.
Tarzia will remain as MP for Hartley and hopes to be reelected at the polls in March.
He is the fourth Liberal leader to step down over the past few months, following Brad Battin in Victoria, Mark Speakman in NSW and Leanne Castley in the ACT.
He was elected in August last year to replace David Speirs, who resigned before he was convicted of drug charges.
