The Liberal Party has announced farmer and former corporate consultant Tom Venning as its candidate for the federal seat of Grey.

He is the nephew of Ivan Venning, the former Liberal politician who held the state seat of Schubert for 17 years until 2014.

The decision was made at a private party meeting held at Port Augusta’s Central Oval complex on Sunday where more than 400 people attended.

In his early 30s, Tom Venning would become the youngest person to hold the seat of Grey if elected.

Tom Venning and leader of the opposition in the Senate, Simon Birmingham. (Supplied: SA Liberals)

Family elated

Ivan Venning told ABC Riverland his family was elated with the result.

“We’re over the moon, I can say at the least. It was a very emotional time yesterday,” the former MP said.

“It’s very much of his own volition. He’s got support from the family but this is something he’s done over many, many years — to take on a huge responsibility like this, one of the the biggest electorates in Australia.

“He’s very smart. He’s got an academic background as well as a farming one. Rural representation is strong on his list.

“It’s great that the younger generation can deliver up people like this. It’s time the Liberal Party got rid of the old, factional party members like us.”

He replaces outgoing Liberal Rowan Ramsey who has been the Member for Grey since 2007.

Mr Ramsey announced in March he will not be contesting the next election.

He said Mr Venning’s pre-selection is a welcome show of faith in youth.

Outgoing Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, has held the seat since 2007. (ABC North and West SA: Bethanie Alderson)

“He’s only a little over 30 and very much a new face. He’s au fait with new technologies and communications and those sort of things,” Mr Ramsey told ABC Eyre Peninsula.

“And as this job becomes increasingly difficult with communications … those kind of skills will be of great attribute in the future, as long as we can get him elected as the Member for Grey. And that’s no given thing.”

‘Ready to fight’

Mr Venning beat out four other candidates to win the candidacy — Kimba mayor Dean Johnson, the former chief of staff to ex-Family First Senator Bob Day, Rikki Lambert, Whyalla policeman Matt Sampson, and former United Australia candidate Suzanne Waters.

As well as his farming background, Mr Venning has worked in various roles for NAB, Deloitte, Accenture, and Capgemini. 

He studied economics and mechanical engineering at the University of Adelaide.

“I’m ready to fight for regional, remote, and rural South Australians,” he said via an SA Liberals Instagram post.

“We do have a special set of circumstances here in Grey and I’m ready to take the fight into Canberra.”

The electorate of Grey covers more than 92 per cent of South Australia, including major regional cities such as Port Pirie, Port Lincoln, and Port Augusta. 

It has been held by Liberal since 1993 when Barry Wakelin won the seat from retiring Labor member Lloyd O’Neil.