Polls closed at 6 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. AEDT) on Saturday in South Australia’s state election, with Labor leader Peter Malinauskas on course for a decisive re-election win. The contest serves as a major gauge of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation momentum, as projections show the Liberal opposition’s lower-house seats dropping from 13 to fewer than 10.
Labor’s Strong Position
Labor entered the race as the frontrunner, bolstered by Malinauskas’s high personal approval ratings and ongoing turmoil within the Liberals. The party currently controls 29 of the 47 state seats. A victory would empower Malinauskas to advance priorities like expanding housing, offering free public education, and limiting children’s screen time.
Record Voter Turnout
More than 35% of voters cast ballots before election day, shattering the previous record of about 17% from 2022. This surge underscores strong public engagement in the state’s 2026 poll.
Liberal Leadership Shakeup
The Liberals installed first-term MP Ashton Hurn as leader late last year after internal surveys signaled a potential rout. At 35 years old, Hurn represents the party’s fourth leader in four years amid persistent internal challenges.
Key Campaign Issues
Malinauskas drew criticism over the government’s handling of an algal bloom crisis and its inability to eliminate ambulance ramping at hospitals—a core pledge from the 2022 campaign. Officials acknowledged shortcomings in addressing these persistent problems.
One Nation’s Rising Influence
This election marks the first significant trial of One Nation’s national polling gains since the 2025 federal vote. Federal leader Pauline Hanson campaigned extensively in regional South Australia alongside Cory Bernardi, the ex-Liberal senator appointed as the party’s state leader in February.
New Electoral Rules
Voters participated under fresh state laws prohibiting political party donations, a change implemented for this cycle. Federal Labor monitors the outcome, but the Coalition—including opposition leader Angus Taylor and Nationals head Matt Canavan—scrutinizes One Nation’s performance most closely.
Vote counting proceeds through 1 a.m. Sunday morning, with results shaping the state’s political landscape.
