Share this @internewscast.com


Political leaders have cast their ballots in South Australia’s election, a significant event drawing nationwide attention due to its potential to reshape the traditional two-party landscape.

Projections suggest a clear victory for Labor in Saturday’s election, although opinion polls indicate that One Nation is polling between 22 and 28 percent, surpassing the Liberal vote, which stands between 14 and 20 percent.

Premier Peter Malinauskas spent nearly an hour in line at a polling station in his Croydon constituency on Saturday morning. Accompanying him were his wife Annabel and their children, Jack, George, Eliza, and Sophie.

Malinauskas mentioned that he adhered to his usual election day routine, starting with a run before heading to the Woodville Gardens polling booth with his family.

“This is the first time I’ve voted with four kids, and it comes with its own set of challenges,” he remarked.

The premier’s four young children displayed patience while waiting in the voting queue, though they were understandably tired by the time their parents reached the ballot box.

They were rewarded soon after with democracy sausages, with their father telling them “team Mali, dad’s got to go and do some work” as he rushed off for an appearance with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Liberal leader Ashton Hurn voted at Angaston Town Hall in her Barossa Valley electorate of Schubert before heading to Adelaide to visit other booths.

One Nation leader Cory Bernardi cast his vote before election day.

Bernardi was among the record 454,862 (34.5 per cent) South Australians who cast their ballots at early voting centres, which opened a week ago.

Another 174,000 (13.2 per cent) had requested postal ballots, meaning almost half the 1.3 million eligible voters had potentially voted before election day.

In a final opinion poll released on Friday, YouGov forecast a 59-41 win for Labor on a two-party preferred basis against both the Liberals and One Nation – a 4.4 per cent swing in its favour.

YouGov’s Paul Smith said Labor was set to secure its largest two-party preferred vote in SA history, while the Liberals were on track for 19 per cent, their worst result in any state or federal election since the coalition was formed.

Liberal leader Ashton Hurn took over the role just 103 days before the election.

“One Nation’s surge to 22 per cent places them second in the state for the first time, with particularly strong support in regional areas,” he said.

Adelaide University emeritus professor of politics Clem Macintyre said the rise and rise of One Nation had the potential to create a watershed moment in Australian politics, and the end of two-party politics at a federal level.

“If they do make a breakthrough, they’re going to have to work hard to be a more serious and viable alternative government,” he said.

“It’s more frustration with the major parties … I think we can still say One Nation is a party of disaffected voters.”

Flinders University public policy associate lecturer Josh Sunman said One Nation’s discipline had been the surprise story of the campaign.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas is poised to lead Labor to a historic victory.

He said One Nation had delivered targeted messaging and candidate discipline, and “I was expecting a lot more candidate scandals and meltdowns”.

Hours after he commented, a UK court issued an arrest warrant for One Nation’s Aoi Baxter over a charge of sexually touching a woman without consent, and he was swiftly disendorsed.

The state’s 600 polling booths are open from 8am to 6pm, when counting begins.


For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Marie (left) and Steph Browitt (right) lost two family members in the eruption at White Island in 2019. Steph suffered extensive burns in the tragedy and spent months in hospital

Australian Woman Forms Heartfelt Connection with Heroic Cab Driver After White Island Tragedy, Shares Inspiring Plans to Move to New Zealand

In the aftermath of a catastrophic natural disaster that struck a popular…

Lebanon Decries ‘Brazen Crime’ as Israeli Airstrikes Claim Lives of Three Journalists

In Brief The Israeli military admitted to killing Al Manar correspondent Ali…

Man in Critical Condition Following Suspected Hit-and-Run Incident

Authorities continue their search for a vehicle and its driver following a…

Nationwide ‘No Kings’ Rallies: Thousands Unite Against Trump in Powerful Protest Movement

In Brief The protesters called for action against the bombardment of Iran…
Fuel stockholdings by nation and out-of-order signs on a bowser.

Unveiling the Hidden Truth: The Shocking Oil Stock Graph the Government Overlooked

If oil stopped flowing around the world tomorrow, different countries would find…

Albanese Unveils Strategic Fuel Powers: Key Changes and Their Impact on Australia’s Energy Future

IN BRIEF The Australian government will underwrite private fuel cargo purchases. This…
The government's plan to underwrite fuel costs is aimed to shore up supply and bring down costs.

Government Allocates Taxpayer Money to Offset Rising Petrol Prices

The Albanese government will use public funds to bring down the cost…
Truck driver Robert Cook warning over diesel shortage

Pressure Mounts to Slash $3 Billion Tax Amid Escalating Fuel Crisis Concerns

Australia’s business chambers want the federal government to reduce the heavy vehicle…

Global Shipping Reroutes: What Australia’s Future Looks Like Amid Hormuz Disruption

In Brief Gulf countries have invested in alternatives long before the Hormuz…
Trump slammed over 'huge miscalculation'

Trump Faces Backlash Over Alleged Strategic Misstep: Experts Weigh In

A prominent member of the Coalition has openly criticized Donald Trump’s recent…
FILE - A KitKat chocolate bar in Rugby, England, on July 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Cleaver, File)

Twelve Tonnes of KitKat Bars Stolen in Major Chocolate Heist

Swiss food giant Nestlé says about 12 tonnes, or 413,793 candy bars,…
Man accused of stealing $1500 in diesel forced to siphon it back in

Suspected Diesel Thief Ordered to Return $1500 Worth of Fuel in Unusual Court Ruling

As fuel prices continue to rise, some drivers are reportedly resorting to…