Alex Antic elected president of South Australian Liberal Party

Senator Alex Antic has been elected president of the South Australian division of the Liberal Party, defeating moderate candidate Nicola Centofanti in a delegate vote of 119 to 73.

Following his victory, Antic suggested that the Liberal Coalition may need to cooperate with the populist One Nation party at the next election to defeat the Labor Party. He cited low primary polling for the Coalition as evidence that One Nation is a permanent political force that should not be dismissed.

His election marks a shift in the state division, which has historically been dominated by moderate factions. The move has caused concern among conservative powerbrokers in Canberra, who fear Antic may seek closer ties with One Nation leaders, including Pauline Hanson.