Aboriginal elder Major "Moogy" Sumner has promised to fight for a healthy, drill-free Great Australian Bight if elected to federal parliament in the Super Saturday of by-elections.
The Greens' candidate launched his campaign for the upcoming Mayo by-election in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday with more than 100 locals gathering in support.
Mr Sumner says he has been involved in helping and protecting the environment all his life and he now wants to do this in Canberra on behalf of his community.
"That's what I'm here for. I've done it very informally but now I want to do it more formally," he said in Mylor on Sunday.
Mr Sumner wants to ensure there is no drilling in the Great Australian Bight, saying an oil spill would have devastating environmental impacts not only in SA but other states.
"The wind blows from the west and when they drill there any oil spills you can guarantee will go right through to Tasmania and on to New Zealand, all along the coast," he said.
"So we're here to stop that. We're here to look after the community."
SA Senator Sarah Hanson-Young joined Mr Sumner for the campaign launch in Mylor, saying he would also stand up for equal opportunity and better education outcomes.
"The issues of climate change, saving the River Murray, and stopping oil and gas drilling in the Great Australian Bight are forefront in this election campaign," she said.
"But so is looking after people. And Moogy has spent his whole life doing this."
The Mayo by-election was triggered by the resignation of Rebekha Sharkie during the dual citizen debacle that tore through parliament.
Ms Sharkie is re-contesting the seat for the Centre Alliance party and faces competition from Liberal candidate Georgina Downer.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop joined Ms Downer in the Adelaide Hills on the weekend, saying Ms Sharkie is backed by Labor and votes with the party "more often than not".
Ms Sharkie rebuked the claim.
"These are just Liberal lies. My voting record is clear."
