SA Best unveils Upper House ticket
SA Best has chosen former Master Builders Association CEO Ian Markos to lead its Legislative Council ticket for the state election, as it looks to increase its share of the crossbench for 2022.
SA Best's Legislative Council ticket, Dr Keyvan Abak (L) and Ian Markos (R), standing alongside sitting MLCs Frank Pangallo and Connie Bonaros (centre)
Markos, who stepped down as chief executive of Master Builders’ SA chapter in 2020 after five years as CEO, will be joined by psychotherapist Dr Keyvan Abak at the top of SA-Best’s ticket.
The minor party, which currently holds two of the Upper House’s six crossbench seats, said it is hoping to expand its parliamentary team to at least three at the coming election.
“In Ian and Keyvan, we have chosen two highly credentialled and outstanding candidates with vast personal and business experience who are both committed and passionate about the future of our state,” sitting SA-Best MLC Frank Pangalllo said.
“Crossbench MPs will play a major role in how the next state government is formed and how the next Parliament operates.
“Should we be successful in winning at least one extra seat in the Upper House, SA-BEST will become an even more influential political force and powerful voice for all South Australians.”
Markos is also a former SafeWork SA director and UK Health and Safety Executive. He was replaced by Will Frogley as Master Builders SA CEO in January 2021.
Abak, meanwhile, is an Iranian-born asylum seeker who arrived in Australia in 2000 and has gone on to become a mental health and addiction psychotherapist who runs his own private practice in Adelaide.
