Political guru Mike Smithson unravels the fallout from another “deliberately and mischievously leaked email” from the so-called SA Parli Whisperer.

Hi Smitho,

Thought you might like a heads up that Tarzia and the Libs have a big policy announcement they plan to drop on Sunday.

That was the beginning of a conversational email sent to me and other journalists including at InDaily at 3.40pm last Thursday.

So, what’s the problem if someone with apparent authority lets the media know in advance that a long-awaited pre-election policy announcement is ready to be made public?

The simple answer: plenty if you are trying to maintain a watertight ship within party ranks.

The deliberately and mischievously leaked email from the so-called “SA Parli Whisperer” outlined a proposed Special Economic Zone for the Adelaide CBD, like a plan launched by Melbourne’s re-elected Lord Mayor Nick Reece.

The email claimed Tarzia’s policy would see a pause on land tax and stamp duty for investors buying or building new apartments in the city and reinstate off-the-plan concessions to unlock stalled projects.

Of itself, it seems like a plausible Liberal idea worth exploring and it could even win them more votes at the March election.

But leaking such sensitive information, true or false, distracted Liberal weekend planning and threw a spanner in the works.

The “whisperer” was less than complimentary towards the so-called tax policy, describing it as being dressed up as bold housing and investment reform and rushed through much to the angst of some on the........

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