SA Election 2026: Malinauskas Urges Unity After Labor Landslide as One Nation Surges
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has delivered a passionate plea for a kinder and more inclusive politics following Labor's decisive state election victory on Saturday. The win, however, was overshadowed by a significant surge in support for One Nation, which captured over 20% of the primary vote, leaving the Liberal opposition in tatters and reshaping the political dynamics in the state.
Landslide Victory for Labor Amid Political Realignment
Labor secured a commanding majority, with projections indicating the party would win at least 32 of the parliament's 47 seats. This represents a solid increase from their previous holdings and underscores Malinauskas's personal popularity. In contrast, the Liberals were reduced to a mere handful of seats, facing one of their worst electoral performances in recent history. Independents also gained ground, securing at least four seats, while One Nation looked poised to claim the seat of Hammond in Murray Bridge, with several other contests still too close to call.
In his victory speech, Malinauskas quoted poet Henry Lawson, urging South Australians to embrace patriotism and compassion. "When we all combine, we can achieve anything," he declared. "When we work together, diversity has always been our greatest strength. If we focus on what unites us – a shared love of living in a peaceful, prosperous place, a state full of hard-working people that value care and compassion – then we can harness this moment with our newfound confidence."
One Nation's Rise and Hanson's Warning
One Nation's performance was a standout feature of the election, with the party securing 21% of the primary vote, just behind Labor's 38% and ahead of the Liberals' 19%. Pauline Hanson, the party's federal leader, warned that One Nation MPs would act as "landmines" for Labor in parliament, stating she felt "vindicated" by the results. One Nation's state leader, former Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, was elected to the upper house, potentially with one or two colleagues.
Hanson highlighted the broader implications, pointing to upcoming elections in Farrer and Victoria. "This is the low tide. Once they really get to look at the votes they put ... I believe that our vote will rise even more. So wait and see what happens next week," she said, signaling a potential national shift.
Liberal Party Devastation and Internal Reflection
The Liberal opposition faced a catastrophic night, with leader Ashton Hurn conceding defeat before 9:30 PM. Hurn, who became the party's fourth leader in four years amid internal polling predicting a wipeout, acknowledged the severity of the loss. "It's a tough night for the Liberals," she admitted. "There's absolutely no doubt about it, that things are tough. And lessons must be learnt. There are a lot of things that we need to reflect on." Former leader Vincent Tarzia lost his seat of Hartley, compounding the party's woes.
Expert Analysis and Electoral Context
Luke Mansillo, a political scientist at the University of Sydney, described the results as a potential major realignment in Australian politics. "It's unquestionably a potential realignment of Australian politics. We don't know about its longevity," he noted. Mansillo added that One Nation's success in peeling off voters from both major parties, particularly in outer urban and regional areas, could worry the federal government and influence strategies led by figures like Peter Dutton.
The election was conducted under new electoral laws banning donations to political parties and saw a record early voting turnout of over 35%, up from about 17% in 2022. Labor entered the campaign as the clear favourite, buoyed by Malinauskas's popularity and Liberal scandals, but faced scrutiny over issues like the algal bloom crisis and ambulance ramping, a key promise from the 2022 election that remained unfulfilled.
Future Implications and Policy Mandate
Malinauskas now holds a strong mandate to pursue a second-term agenda focused on housing construction, free public education, and reducing children's screen time. Federal parties are closely monitoring the results, with the Coalition likely to pay particular attention to One Nation's gains as they strategize for future elections. Counting continued into the early hours of Sunday, with final results pending in several seats.
This election marks a pivotal moment in South Australian politics, blending a decisive Labor victory with the disruptive rise of One Nation, setting the stage for a complex and potentially transformative parliamentary term.
