5 Aug 2024

South Australia’s rising political powers: Who are the future leaders of the Liberal Party? │The Advertiser

By George Yankovich and Michael McGuire

Breaking into politics is no easy task, but these rising stars of the Liberal Party have youth, intellect and talent on their side.

They are not just lawyers and political staffers – the traditional stepping stones for becoming an MP – but army officers, Rhodes Scholars, engineers and scientists.

They include some of the state’s most well-known political pedigree but also the children of immigrants, for whom liberal values represent opportunity and self-determination.

Equally respected by party elders and colleagues, here are the 12 faces to look out for on the Liberal benches in the years to come.

Come back next week to find out SA’s rising stars of the Labor Party.

Aric Pierce

It is the most coveted job an aspiring politician can have and Aric Pierce was picked for it three different times.

Business studies graduate Pierce, 28, was the elected president of the SA Young Liberals from 2021 to 2023.

A slew of ministerial jobs and a stint with a major consultancy paved the road for his current role as an adviser to Senator Andrew McLachlan, the deputy president of the Senate.

There, he guides policy on his two political passions: environmental conservation and financial sustainability.

“You have to be the one that shows up and puts their hand up – letterboxing, door knocking, anything,” he said of his achievements.

Chelsea Carruthers

Not many people can say they have worked in the parliaments of two different countries, but Chelsea Carruthers is one of them.

Earlier this year, the 24-year-old business graduate interned with US congressman Lloyd Dogget for three months, doing everything from working the phones to liaising with high-level business and community leaders.

“There was a real focus on constituents – every call, whatever the issue, was taken very seriously,” she said.

Back in Adelaide now, she is also finishing an international relations degree and is an executive assistant for Senator Andrew McLachlan.