The week in SA politics: Vickie Chapman resigns, Dan van Holst Pellekaan named Deputy Premier, and Scott Morrison visits

Political pundits across Australia often look to SA for entertainment.

In years gone by, the antics on North Terrace have even led to the Festival State being described as a “basket case”, and this week was no exception.

It started with the resignation of a defiant Deputy Premier, confusion over her salary and dispute about what role, if any, she would play in Cabinet.

There was also a secret swearing-in ceremony and the appointment of a new deputy before the week ended with whirlwind prime ministerial visit.

Here is how it all played out.

The deputy who wouldn’t quit, then did

Vickie Chapman had been defiant in defence and showed no signs of changing that, even after a prolonged parliamentary committee process.

The stalwart of the SA Liberal Party faced claims of conflict of interest, and even a vote of no confidence in parliament, but neither appeared to deter her.

That left Labor, and parts of the crossbench, out for blood — with calls for her resignation coming thick and fast.

It was a process that dragged out and created a week’s worth of negative commentary for Premier Steven Marshall, with almost every press conference  dominated by questions about the government’s stability.

Then, as if almost out of nowhere, a 5:01am email was sent to media last Monday informing them Ms Chapman was resigning as deputy premier and stepping aside from ministerial duties.

It was a shock to many and the reason she gave was even more curious.

Ms Chapman believes there may be a conflict because she is now being investigated by the Ombudsman, who she oversees.

“As the Ombudsman reports to the Attorney-General, it is entirely appropriate to step aside for the duration of the inquiry,” Ms Chapman said.

But did she really step aside? The answer is not clear cut.

She resigned as deputy premier and minister for planning and local government, but retained the role of Attorney-General, albeit, handing her powers to another minister.

So, the only role she has kept is the one with the potential conflict.

Where does that leave her, and for how long?

She is still technically a minister, but without a portfolio and without the pay.

She will remain in this situation until the end of the Ombudsman’s investigation, and no-one knows how long that will take.

But that is when the real challenge will arise for the Premier, and either way, he will have a big decision to make.

If Ms Chapman is cleared of any wrongdoing, will she be returned as attorney-general, or even deputy premier?

Alternatively, if an adverse finding is made, will Ms Chapman will be forced to stand down, for a second time?

Deputy Dan to the rescue — or is he?

After Ms Chapman vacated the deputy role, discussion quickly shifted to who would replace her.

A party vote needed to occur, but the Premier said he could not wait for that, insisting that under “the legislation” he had to appoint a deputy premier in the interim.

So, he appointed Dan van Holst Pellekaan – the next in line on the Order of Precedence.

That makes sense. The only issue is the appointment was made privately.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan was sworn in on Tuesday, in secret, before he was voted in by his colleagues.

The covert appointment was quickly endorsed by a vote of the Liberal party room on Thursday.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan won the support of his colleagues and beat David Speirs for the leadership.

It did not come as a great shock.

Deputy Dan is seen by many Liberals as the safe option.

He is conservative leaning, but sits in the centre of the two Liberal factions.

That is viewed by some as a way of easing the simmering tensions between the warring sides.

But the method of his appointment has all but ruled that out.

Conservative Liberals have questioned the outcome and the influence the Premier, and his office, had on the vote.

One senior Liberal even went as far as to say “they’ve blown it”.

The morning after the vote took place, ABC Radio Adelaide’s David Bevan received a message from the insider saying:

“The decision for the Premier’s office to whip the moderates, to vote for Dan van Holst Pellekaan has ended any chance for factional healing. They’ve blown it.”

Speirs questions party’s secrecy

But that is not where the controversy ends.

In another unusual move, the Premier refused to release the final tally from the party room vote.

Even those in the room were not told, leaving them scratching their heads.

It was up to Environment Minister, and contender, David Speirs to confirm he lost 8 votes to 14.

“I’m not sure why it’s really a secret but I’m quite happy with that … although I would have liked to have won,” he told ABC Radio Adelaide on Friday morning.

When asked about the suggestion that the Premier’s office had been lobbying against him, Mr Speirs said he would be “disappointed if that were the case”.

“I can’t confirm whether people were lobbied by the Premier’s office but I would sincerely hope, given my really good relationship with Steven Marshall and his team that that wasn’t the case,” he said.

Scott Morrison swings into South Australia

Later in the day, Mr Speirs was invited to a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who visited South Australia’s only marginal seat.

Mr Morrison was spruiking the party’s Boothby candidate ahead of the federal election, but there was a notable absence – the Premier.

When asked why the Premier wasn’t there, Scott Morrison blamed their busy diaries.

“Our schedules didn’t just align today,” he said.

But he was quick to quash any idea there might be another reason.

“I can assure you there is no stronger relationship with any Premier in this country than Steven Marshall and … he is a dear and close friend, and he’s doing an amazing job,” Mr Morrison said.

He was also asked about the tensions and drama within the party of recent weeks, but was quick to distance himself from it.

“They’re matters for the state parliamentary party,” he said.

Indeed, they are. And they are matters which appear far from being resolved.