Premier Steven Marshall’s media advisor Ashton Hurn was appointed as the Liberal Party’s candidate for Schubert after winning preselection on Saturday morning. PHOTO: Supplied
Brendan Simpkins
ASHTON Hurn has been confirmed as Stephan Knoll’s replacement in Schubert after winning preselection over the weekend.
Ms Hurn had long been touted for a move to the forefront of the Liberal Party after spending the past decade in roles behind the scenes.
Last month her move was confirmed, as the South Australian branch of the Liberal Party announced she was one of three candidates contesting preselection for Schubert.
The other candidates were Grain Producers SA chief executive Caroline Rhodes and former Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Council Steve Balch.
Ms Hurn is looking forward to contesting for Schubert at next year’s election.
“I’m honoured to be selected as the candidate for the seat of Schubert and am looking forward to meeting with local people, families, small businesses and community groups about what matters most to them,” Ashton said.
“I look forward to working hard for the people of Schubert to continue to provide them with a strong voice in the State Parliament.”
Following a preselection meeting held in the Barossa Valley on Saturday morning, attended by close to 150 branch members, Ms Hurn was appointed as the party’s candidate.
A few hours after the appointment, party heavyweight Simon Birmingham took to Twitter to congratulate Ms Hurn on gaining preselection.
“Many congrats to Ashton Hurn, the impressive new @LiberalSAHQ candidate for Schubert & a super passionate #BarossaValley advocate,” he wrote.
Ms Hurn has spent the past three years working alongside South Australian Premier Steven Marshall, first as senior press secretary before rising the ranks to become Director of Media and Communications.
The pair are no strangers, with Ms Hurn spending five years as his adviser from 2011 to 2015.
She is regarded as one of the Premier’s most trusted confidants.
Ms Hurn also served as media advisor to Senator Anne Rushton and strategy advisor to former Defence Minister Christopher Pyne.
Ms Hurn was born and bred in the Barossa. She is the sister of former West Coast Eagles captain Shannon Hurn and granddaughter of former Barossa Mayor Brian Hurn.
