Hon David Ridgway MLC
Member of the Legislative Council
Shadow Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Economic Development, Tourism
Parliament House
Adelaide SA 5000
David Ridgway grew up in the small South-East community of Wolseley, and with Rural Youth travelled to the USA and Europe. He took over the family farm which had diversified into growing bulbs for the cut flower industry, becoming the biggest gladioli supplier in Australia.
As he learnt about growing and running a successful business, politics was also on his mind. He joined the Liberal Party and was elected to the party’s powerful state council. David won a seat in the State’s upper house, the Legislative Council, in 2002 and he’s now Opposition Leader in that chamber. As such, he’s the Liberal Party’s third-highest ranking Member of Parliament.
David has relished his experience in the shadow portfolios of environment, River Murray, transport, infrastructure and small business. In 2011 he added economic development and tourism to his existing portfolio of urban development and planning.
He’s passionately involved in Parliamentary Committees, working to expose Labor’s shocking financial mismanagement and its disdain for South Australian family businesses.
Outside Parliament, David enjoys exploring the State, meeting and listening to locals. There are few parts of South Australia he hasn’t visited, including the Boarfield and Oodnadatta Tracks in the Outback. His electorate covers the entire State. He’s investigated the impact of the regional tourism industry from the South-East to the West Coast.
David is excited to meet with anyone who has a story to tell about life in South Australia.
David and his wife Meredith have three children - Ashleigh, Tara and Louis – and live in Adelaide.