The South Australian election has delivered one of the most significant political shifts in recent Australian history.
While Labor secured a dominant victory with 34 lower house seats, the real story lies beneath the surface, in the collapse of the Liberal Party and the rise of a new political force.
The Liberals have been reduced to just 5 lower house seats, a result that leaves them struggling to remain relevant across large parts of the state. In many electorates, they are no longer the primary alternative to Labor with One Nation coming second in over 30 seats.
The party recorded a breakthrough result:
- 4 lower house seats secured
- 3 upper house seats won
This is not a protest vote. It is a structural shift.
For the first time, One Nation is not just competing, it is positioning itself as a genuine opposition force in key parts of South Australia. They have effectively replaced the Liberal Party as the main challenger to Labor.
Despite this surge, One Nation fell just one seat short of holding the balance of power in the Upper House. However, with South Australia’s Legislative Council operating on 8-year terms, and another election due in four years, this result lays the groundwork for even greater expansion for the party.
At the same time, the Greens failed to secure a single lower house seat. In a state long considered fertile ground for progressive politics, this is a significant signal. It raises a broader question: are voters beginning to turn away from woke ideology?
Another major development is the return of Cory Bernardi. For the first time in his political career, Bernardi is now leading a parliamentary team, not just a political party, marking a new phase not just for his own career, but for the broader conservative movement in Australia.
Turning Point Australia congratulates the newly elected One Nation team:
Cory Bernardi, Carlos Quaremba, Rebecca Hewitt, Robert Roylance, David Paton, Jason Virgo and Chantelle Thomas.
This election was not just a result. It was a signal that Australian politics has changed.
