Thumping victory for SA Labor as One Nation's vote surges

The Labor Party has comfortably won re-election in South Australia in a poll which saw support for One Nation climb to more than 21 per cent of the vote. Premier Peter Malinauskas secured a second term with a significantly increased majority while the Liberal Party secured around 19 per cent of the vote. As vote counting continues, it remains unclear whether One Nation can secure any lower house seats.

Re-elected SA Premier Peter Malinauskas at his post election function during the South Australian state election in Adelaide, Saturday, March 21, 2026. SA Premier Peter Malinauskas and Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn face rising support for One Nation as they head to the polls in the South Australian state election. (AAP Image/Matt Turner) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP / Matt Turner/AAPIMAGE

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TRANSCRIPT

A second term for South Australia's Labor Party with a significantly increased majority left Premier Peter Malinauskas feeling gratified.

"A gratitude to so many people who have provided this government the opportunity to be able to continue to serve, to be able to continue our work of making sure that the momentum in South Australia delivers for the people who deserves it most and those are the people of South Australia."    

He acknowledged One Nation's result attracting around 21 per cent of the vote.

“For getting a very significant result at the ballot box, which does deserve recognition and credit. And I say to both Ashton and Cory Bernardi - along with other leaders of parties elected to the parliament tonight - that my government stands ready to work with each and every one of you, for as long as it is in the interests of South Australians."

South Australia's One Nation Leader Cory Bernardi says voters are turning to his party because they are fed up with promises being made and not delivered.

"The difficulties that people have today are the product of decades of uni party politics. And they keep being told it is going to be fixed after the next election. They don't believe the promises anymore, they don't believe the funding being provided for things is being used effectively."

Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn retained her seat of Schubert in the Barossa Valley.

She says both the major parties have been put on notice.

"It's not just the Liberals who have been sent a message; it's the Labor party as well that there is a large cohort of South Australians who are sick to death of the status quo."

One Nation's founder Pauline Hanson says what's taken place in South Australia augurs well for the upcoming Farrer by-election and the Victorian election in November.

"And I think it's very important to see for Farrer and I also will send a strong team for Victoria. So, if you're from Victoria, you watching this, we're coming to support you down there, stand candidates.”