The topic is Government and Politics

The article was published on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 7:42 am

Liberal leader Ashton Hurn was asked about her party's internal problems at a press conference on Friday

Ashton Hurn says the public does not care about the party's internal issues

Ashton Hurn spoke at a fundraising walk for the Hutt Street Centre on Friday

The next three weeks are important for the party's direction

The party's internal politics are hurting Ashton Hurn

The party is divided over the presidency

Liberals are arguing over who should be their state president

A moderate said it's hard to find a consensus candidate for the presidency

Senator Alex Antic is running for the presidency

Alex Antic wants to be the president of the SA Liberal Party

The president oversees campaign preparations and internal meeting agendas

The president also has a position on the party's federal executive

Some moderates are worried about Alex Antic's potential influence

There's an effort to find someone to run against Alex Antic

Tony Pasin said there needs to be a contested ballot for the presidency

Tony Pasin thinks a contested ballot is important for the party

Tony Pasin said the party needs a contested ballot

The details of any alternative candidate were not released

The Women's Council had an eventful meeting

The new president will be voted on by the Liberal Party's State Council

The State Council is a body of party delegates

The Women's Council is one of many internal bodies

The Women's Council elected 13 Antic-backed candidates

The result gave Alex Antic's supporters confidence

Joanna Howe clashed with Vickie Chapman at the Women's Council meeting

The Women's Council meeting heard from Joanna Howe

Joanna Howe wanted to record the meeting

Joanna Howe called Vickie Chapman and her supporters 'witches'

Some moderates were upset by the Women's Council's decision

The clash generated negative headlines for the Liberal Party

It was otherwise a good week for the Liberal Party

Ashton Hurn condemned Joanna Howe's words

Ashton Hurn said the party operates with respect

Ashton Hurn is not focused on the Women's Council issue

The dispute is important for the Liberal Party

The Liberal Party had a good week despite the dispute

The Malinauskas government faced heat over hospital patients

The government says three clinical reviews found no link to the patient's death

The new Women's and Children's Hospital was costed at $3.2 billion

The government promised to fix the ramping crisis

Ambulance ramping reached its third-highest level on record

The Health Minister faced questions about the new hospital project

The Minister would not comment on the potential cost blowout

The project is on track for completion in 2031

The schematic design for the hospital still needs more details

The new hospital will cost taxpayers at least $3.2 billion

Labor labeled the Women's Council drama a 'freakshow'

Ashton Hurn may have to distance herself from Alex Antic's views

Ashton Hurn can't afford many more weeks of negative headlines

See more ABC coverage

Top Stories

Topic: AFL

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Analysis by Clare Armstrong

Topic: World Politics

Analysis by Laura Tingle

Related stories

Topic: Liberals

Analysis by Thomas Kelsall

Topic: Avian Influenza

Analysis by Thomas Kelsall

Related topics

Adelaide

Government and Politics

Liberals

Political Leadership

Political Parties

SA

State and Territory Government

Top Stories

Topic: AFL

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Analysis by Clare Armstrong

Topic: World Politics

Analysis by Laura Tingle

Just In

Topic: Pregnancy and Childbirth

Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 12:00 pm

Topic: Explainer

Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:53 am

Topic: Divorce

Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:54 am

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 11:08 am