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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| South Australian Liberal MP Martin Hamilton-Smith defects | South Australian Liberal MP Martin Hamilton-Smith defects |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A South Australian Liberal opposition MP has defected and will become a minister in the state's Labor government. | A South Australian Liberal opposition MP has defected and will become a minister in the state's Labor government. |
| Martin Hamilton-Smith made the shock announcement on Tuesday, saying he was putting the people of SA first. | Martin Hamilton-Smith made the shock announcement on Tuesday, saying he was putting the people of SA first. |
| Hamilton-Smith, who is a former Liberal leader, said he would become an independent Liberal and would continue to represent his seat of Waite. | Hamilton-Smith, who is a former Liberal leader, said he would become an independent Liberal and would continue to represent his seat of Waite. |
| The premier, Jay Weatherill, said Hamilton-Smith would become a minister and take on the portfolios of investment and trade, defence industries and veterans' affairs. | The premier, Jay Weatherill, said Hamilton-Smith would become a minister and take on the portfolios of investment and trade, defence industries and veterans' affairs. |
| Hamilton-Smith said Weatherill had reached out to him after the state election earlier this year. | Hamilton-Smith said Weatherill had reached out to him after the state election earlier this year. |
| The pair met on Monday and "here we are", Hamilton-Smith told reporters. | The pair met on Monday and "here we are", Hamilton-Smith told reporters. |
| Hamilton-Smith said he had considered his decision very carefully and it was time to put people before politics. | Hamilton-Smith said he had considered his decision very carefully and it was time to put people before politics. |
| "I have spoken to [SA Liberal opposition leader] Steven [Marshall] and explained my position," he said. | "I have spoken to [SA Liberal opposition leader] Steven [Marshall] and explained my position," he said. |
| "What I am focused on making a contribution." | "What I am focused on making a contribution." |
| The MP said "we are all here to serve" and he felt he could better do that as part of the government. | The MP said "we are all here to serve" and he felt he could better do that as part of the government. |
| "Yes, it's been a tough decision," he said. "It's the right decision." | "Yes, it's been a tough decision," he said. "It's the right decision." |
| Hamilton-Smith's move gives the Labor government extra breathing space in parliament. Labor has 23 seats, with two independents in the 47-seat lower house. | |
| Weatherill said the government's agreement would ensure Hamilton-Smith supported it in key parliamentary votes such as supply and no-confidence motions. | |
| "Mr Hamilton-Smith will strengthen the government in South Australia," he said. "I think, on any view, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented members of the opposition." | |
| Hamilton-Smith said he and the premier were of one mind. | |
| "We want to build things; we don't want to rip them down. And I can't see how the uncertainty and the political point-scoring over coming months and years will help kids, the pensioners," he said. | |
| He was to be sworn in by the governor on Tuesday afternoon. |