Adelaide Plains Council Deputy Mayor David Paton is projected to become the first One Nation member in South Australia’s lower house, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape. The result, following Saturday’s election, represents a breakthrough for Pauline Hanson’s party outside of its traditional stronghold in Queensland and signals growing discontent among voters, particularly with the Liberal Party. Labor, led by Premier Peter Malinauskas, secured a landslide victory, increasing their majority in the 47-member House of Assembly.
The outcome has sent ripples through South Australian politics, with analysts pointing to a collapse in the Liberal vote and a surge in support for One Nation. The ABC projects Labor has won at least 32 seats, while the Liberal Party currently holds four, leaving nine seats still in doubt. This election result is being described as a political earthquake, with One Nation achieving over 21% of the statewide primary vote – surpassing the Liberal Party and becoming the second-highest polling party, according to ABC News analysis.
Paton currently holds a 5.6 percentage point lead over Labor candidate Tony Piccolo in the seat of Ngadjuri, with the Liberal Party recommending preferences flow to One Nation. Further counting is underway to confirm the result, but the party is as well competitive in the regional seats of Hammond, MacKillop, and Narungga, with preference counts expected to be completed this week by the Electoral Commission of South Australia. One Nation SA leader Cory Bernardi believes the party could potentially win up to six lower house seats and secure three seats in the upper house, including projections for Carlos Quaremba and Rebecca Hewett.
One Nation’s Rise and the Liberal Party’s Struggles
Bernardi stated the election outcome has “changed South Australian politics forever.” He indicated the party would continue to advocate for a repeal of the SA Voice to Parliament. The success of One Nation appears to be fueled by a combination of factors, including voter frustration with mainstream parties and concerns over the cost of living. Interviews with voters conducted by the ABC revealed many cast a “protest vote” for One Nation, citing economic pressures as a key motivator. Leanne Wilson, a resident of Schubert, told the ABC she was “sick and tired of what’s going on,” and struggling with rising costs, living “by pension-to-pension.” Greg McCarthy, from Playford, echoed this sentiment, stating One Nation was “the only people worth voting for essentially.”
The Liberal Party is now facing a period of introspection following the election results. Liberal leader Ashton Hurn emphasized the need to “stay true to what our values are,” stating the party is a “centre-right party” and must focus on “getting those basics right.” However, the extent of the damage and the path forward remain unclear.
Malinauskas Reflects on Landslide Victory and Shifting Voter Alignments
Premier Peter Malinauskas, speaking on ABC’s Insiders program, acknowledged the significance of One Nation’s performance and suggested both major parties needed to reflect on the results. He noted a complex shift in voter allegiances, with Liberal voters moving to both One Nation and Labor. “And when all that washed out, obviously the Liberal vote collapsed, the One Nation vote surged and the Labor vote has remained steady,” Malinauskas said. He also emphasized the need to address the concerns of regional communities and outer suburban Adelaide.
Pauline Hanson, speaking to supporters on election night, described One Nation’s newly elected members as “landmines” for the government, suggesting they would provide a strong opposition. She stated, “I suggest don’t step on them because they will explode, and that’s what we’re here for — to ensure you get good representation, good government with a good opposition which you have not had in this state for a long time.”
David Paton, the projected winner in Ngadjuri, is described on the One Nation SA website as a 55-year-old father and long-standing business partner with his wife. The website highlights his commitment to “reducing unnecessary expenditure” for ratepayers and advocates for greater attention to regional and rural communities, stating they are often overlooked in favor of “the concrete North.” He has been actively campaigning in Narungga alongside Pauline Hanson and Cory Bernardi, reporting “overwhelming” support from voters.
The coming weeks will be crucial as preference counts are finalized and the full extent of One Nation’s gains becomes clear. The outcome will undoubtedly reshape the political dynamics in South Australia and force both major parties to reassess their strategies. The focus will now shift to how One Nation utilizes its newfound representation in parliament and whether it can maintain its momentum in future elections.
What impact will One Nation’s presence have on the legislative agenda in South Australia? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
