One Nation has carved out a significant presence in South Australia’s lower house, marking a historic breakthrough for Pauline Hanson’s party in the state. This surge in support, translating into a tangible electoral foothold, comes as the Labor Party secures a resounding victory, achieving a record win in the state election. One Nation’s success is largely attributed to capitalising on widespread discontent with the establishment, delivering the party its strongest result in South Australia in decades and significantly impacting the Liberal Party’s performance.
“This is the dawn of a new era for the people of South Australia and indeed, for all Australians,” declared One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. She signalled her party’s broader ambitions, stating, “This sends a powerful message. My focus won’t stop at South Australia; we’re now setting our sights on the seat of Farrer [in an upcoming NSW by-election], and then Victoria.”
Labor’s Landslide Victory
The Labor Party is poised to significantly bolster its majority in South Australia’s lower house, with projections indicating they will secure at least 32 seats and potentially as many as 35. In stark contrast, the Liberal Party is expected to hold only four seats, with a slim chance of retaining an additional three.
One Nation’s Breakthrough
A key moment for One Nation was the victory of David Payton, the deputy mayor of Adelaide Plains Council, in the Ngadjuri electorate. This marks the party’s first-ever lower house seat win outside of Queensland. Currently, One Nation is on track to secure at least two seats in the lower house and anticipates another in the upper house, where SA One Nation leader Cory Bernardi is a prominent candidate. The final vote count is ongoing, and some election results are expected to take several days to be officially confirmed.
A State United Behind Labor
Peter Malinauskas, leading the Labor Party, has achieved the largest election victory in South Australia’s history. He articulated a vision of national pride rooted in community connection, stating, “We can and should wear our flag with pride, understanding that Australian patriotism sometimes means sharing a cuppa or a frothy with a stranger.”
While the majority of the state cast their ballots in favour of Labor, a notable trend emerged: over one in five South Australians supported One Nation. This level of backing saw One Nation overtake the Liberal Party to become the second most popular political force in the state.
National Implications of One Nation’s Rise
The data reveals that One Nation is leading the Liberal Party in two-thirds of the lower house seats. Beyond metropolitan Adelaide, the party has garnered the highest total vote across all parties, a statistic that is undoubtedly causing concern for the major parties at both state and federal levels.
David Littleproud, former Opposition Leader, commented on the broader sentiment, observing, “The lesson here, not just in South Australia but federally, is that people are feeling a great deal of anger.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, acknowledging the significant contributions of immigrants to Australian society. He issued a call for vigilance, stating, “We must remain vigilant. There are those, including some in political circles, who wish to turn back the clock to an Australia that no longer reflects who we are. We need to call out these individuals. And we must continue to cherish our diversity as a national strength, which it unequivocally is.”
Liberal Party Grapples with Defeat
The Liberal Party is facing intense scrutiny following the election results, with some members demanding accountability from former leader David Speirs regarding the impact of his personal scandals on the party’s performance. Speirs himself apologised during Nine’s SA Election coverage for the detrimental effects his personal issues have had on the Liberal Party. He had previously been convicted for supplying cocaine to two men, resulting in a $9000 fine and 37.5 hours of community service.
Barnaby Joyce, a former Nationals MP who joined One Nation in December after a disagreement with the Coalition’s junior partner, celebrated the party’s initial electoral success, vowing that this is merely the beginning of their political journey.
The significant surge in support for One Nation, as highlighted by the phrase, “‘They don’t like any of us’: Biggest lesson from One Nation’s record surge,” underscores a deep-seated dissatisfaction among a segment of the electorate that the major parties will need to address.
