Ben Hood MLC was named Assistant Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia just four months after beating moderate Leah Grantham in the battle for a spot vacated by retired former Liberal Health Minister Stephen Wade in the state’s upper house.

MacKillop MP McBride resigned from the party a few weeks ago to become an independent citing “dark forces” at play among Liberal ranks.

Hood said “the Liberal Party is a broad church” when asked about concerns being raised about the party swinging too far right and added that he was committed to remaining an MP living in regional South Australia.

Ben Hood (second left) One Nation MP Sarah Game (centre), Nicola Centofanti and Alex Antic (right) at the ‘pro-life’ group Love Adelaide’s ball. Photo: Facebook

He intends backing local rock lobster and seafood industry members as they fight a federal government plan to allow offshore renewable energy wind turbines from Warrnambool to Port MacDonnell.

Another issue Hood says is front of mind for the South East is a long-running fight for radiotherapy services in the region.

The South East MP is one of three “Hoods” in the State Parliament.

Dennis Hood, who “is not related but is a dear friend”, first joined the upper house in 2017 representing Family First and joined the Liberal Party after the 2018 state election.

Labor MP for Adelaide Lucy Hood is Ben Hood’s sister and was formerly policy director for Premier Peter Malinauskas.

The two grew up on a farm south of Naracoorte and Ben Hood is also known locally for jointly creating the successful George the Farmer books and videos along with being a former deputy Mayor of Mount Gambier Council.

“Lucy is my little sister… I love my family, there’s always a problem child and Lucy is ours,” he saysm smiling, adding that “I’m sure she would say the same about me.”

Hood lives in Mount Gambier with his wife Ellen and their three children, and is appearing at a “community forum” this month alongside Liberal MPs supporting a ‘no’ vote to the federal Voice to Parliament.

He unsuccessfully stood against Independent State MP Troy Bell for the Liberal Party in the 2022 election and is aligned with the right of the party led by federal senator Alex Antic, state shadow regional SA minister Nicola Centofanti and South East federal Liberal MP Tony Pasin.

Centofanti said she had “been fortunate to know Ben for a long time and he is a person who is genuinely dedicated to the best outcomes for his community and the hardworking people of the South East”.

“Ben’s appointment is yet another strong indicator of the Liberal Party’s focus on the regions across the state to ensure they thrive as the backbone of the state’s economy,” she said.

In the wake of McBride’s resignation, Liberal Leader David Speirs spent several days in the South East last week hosted by Hood, in his eighth trip to the region since being elected.

Premier Peter Malinauskas also has been a regular visitor to the South East of the state since being elected, he was in the region on Thursday and Friday last week to make a regional housing announcement.

Country Cabinet was held in the region and a spokesman said the Premier was also in the region in the first few days of being elected along with in October last year.