7am ‘A very dangerous man’: How Alex Antic is shaping the Liberals
Jun 22, 2025
Jason Koutsoukis, a special correspondent for The Saturday Paper, discusses the controversial rise of Alex Antic within the South Australian Liberal Party. Antic's radical approach mirrors Trump's tactics, pushing the party towards hard-right ideology. This shift has created internal strife, especially regarding climate policies like the rejection of a net-zero emissions target. Koutsoukis highlights the fears of moderates who worry about the party's future and the ideological battles that could define its next steps.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Alex Antic's Trump Photo Impact
- Alex Antic, a Liberal Senator from South Australia, posted a photo with Donald Trump mocking PM Albanese.
- He is a significant power broker in the Liberal Party's right faction in South Australia, instilling fear in moderates.
Trump Style Hurts Liberals
- Alex Antic's open embracing of Trump-style politics harms the Liberal brand.
- Moderates worry it makes the party unelectable by alienating centrist voters.
Antic's Power Play in South Australia
- Alex Antic demoted former cabinet minister Anne Rusten from the top SA Senate ticket in March last year.
- This move demonstrated his influence and caused anxiety among moderate Liberals.