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As counting in the historic 2026 South Australian election continues, there is a likely chance that a further pro-life Upper House member (Claire Scriven) will be elected. If so, there would be 11 pro-life votes (versus 10 pro-choice) in the Upper House for the first time in many years.

What an election.

As polling predicted, the results of the South Australian election delivered an overwhelming victory for Labor. They are set for their highest two-party preferred results on record.

We congratulate the South Australian Labor Party and Premier Peter Malinauskas on their re-election as Government and Premier.

We also acknowledge Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn following a difficult result for the Liberal Party, with polling at just 19% of votes.

As always, ACL stands ready to support those within all parties who will stand for truth, family, and freedom.

Historic Shift Away From Major Parties 

Amidst the landslide, another aspect of this election has taken the media by storm: the surge of One Nation votes. This represents something that’s never been seen in SA before now.

One Nation has secured three seats in the Legislative Council, holding the balance of power, along with at least one, likely two, seats in the House of Assembly. They remain competitive in several undecided lower house seats.

The emergence of a third major force in South Australia reflects a significant shift in voter sentiment. This election, the combined Liberal and Labor vote is currently only at 56.7%, nearly 20% below its normal level. Swings towards One Nation came not only from traditional Liberal areas, but also from previously safe Labor seats, putting the Government on notice about the weakening of long-standing party loyalties.

This is a historic shift. While not the only factor, I believe it points to a growing appetite for bolder leadership on cultural issues, where both major parties have left a vacuum.

We are hopeful this shift will prompt those who have previously ignored conservatives to engage more genuinely with the values and convictions held by many in South Australia.

The ACL’s message has not changed: in this new government term, we will advocate for freedom of the gospel, rights for the unborn, policies that protect the family unit and protect the vulnerable in SA.

Pro-life Presence in the Upper House

In the Upper House, each of the three elected One Nation MLCs represents a vote against late-term abortion. With the re-election of Liberal MLCs Ben Hood and Heidi Girolamo, there is potential for a strengthened pro-life presence.

A crucial count is still in progress. If Labor MLC Clare Scriven is successful in securing the final Legislative Council seat, there would be 11 pro-life votes in the Upper House for the first time in many years! Please continue to pray for this important final count, as it has come down between her and a second Greens member. Much is at stake, with Clare representing a strong voice for Christian values in the upper house. Her success may hang on below-the-line votes, which take some time to count.

I look forward to working with Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum to advocate for the protection of religious freedom, the rights of unborn children, and the promotion of Christian values in legislation.

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Republished with thanks to ACL. Originally titled “South Australian Election Reflections”.

Images via Wikimedia Commons and Claire Scriven/Facebook.