A moderate former Liberal Party staffer and office-holder has accused Opposition MPs of "appeasing fringe activists in their state and federal party-rooms" - soon after a preselection frontrunner blasted the party for indulging in "niche culture war issues".
A Liberal Party member widely touted to be the frontrunner for preselection if a by-election is called in former Premier Steven Marshall’s seat has criticised a focus on “niche culture war issues”, and says women voters are being let down by policies from both major parties.
Opposition leader David Speirs insists the state Liberal Party remains a “sensible" centre-right party and he has "no interest in lurching off to the far right", saying a Women's Council call to review gender and sexuality teaching in schools is unlikely to be a major policy.
The SA Women’s Liberal Council opposes and wants a review of how children are taught “adult related themes and content including gender ideology” in schools – a move some party members have dubbed “electorally suicidal” amid a shift to the right.