Duncan McFetridge quits Liberal Party after Morphett preselection loss – ABC Online

Updated May 01, 2017 11:57:58

Long-serving Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge is quitting the party to sit on the crossbenches of the South Australian Parliament after narrowly losing a preselection fight for his Adelaide electorate of Morphett.

Dr McFetridge told the ABC he would take a "few days off" before making a formal statement to Parliament next week.

He would not say if he planned to contest the next election as an independent.

"I have not made any plans. I am having a lot of discussion with supporters as to which direction I take," he said.

Dr McFetridge has been a member of State Parliament for about 15 years and held a range of shadow portfolios during the Liberals' years in opposition.

He had gone into last month's preselection fight with the public backing of party leader Steven Marshall but lost by a single vote, after a three-way contest.

South Australian voters will go to the polls next March, with the current Mayor of Holdfast Bay, Stephen Patterson, to contest Morphett for the Liberals.

In Labor ranks, party veteran Frances Bedford quit the ALP recently after Health Minister Jack Snelling was endorsed as the candidate for Florey for next year's election.

She said she would remain the local member until at least election time.

Mr Snelling is the member for the neighbouring Playford electorate, but is shifting because of the boundary changes from a recent redistribution.

Topics: liberals, political-parties, states-and-territories, government-and-politics, glenelg-5045, adelaide-5000, sa

First posted May 01, 2017 11:44:32

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Duncan McFetridge quits Liberal Party after Morphett preselection loss - ABC Online