Loyalty and allegiance to one’s political allies gave way to political expediency in the South Australian state election this year when the state’s only National Party MP Karlene Maywald told both sides of politics she’d hitch her wagon to their government and serve either party should they gain power. Though Maywald has been an MP since 1997 and Minister since well before the last election, this ideological malleability lit a path forward for the Nationals. Please everyone, a golf clap for Karlene Maywald, Crikey’s State Political Personage of the Year.
Honourable mention: The disgraced former premier of WA, Brian Burke, for continuing to work as the premier of WA.
2005 Winner: Former NSW Premier Bob Carr
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