South Australian Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn says the centre-right Liberal Party will preference One Nation ahead of Labor in her seat of Schubert.
Hurn said the party had mapped out multiple preference arrangements across key electorates, with the central aim of unseating the Malinauskas Labor government.
“We’re in the business of getting rid of the [Australian Labor Party or ALP] ... They have proven time and time again that they’re more interested in PR and politics than they are on delivering practical outcomes for South Australians,” she told RN Breakfast on March 17.
Hurn did say the preference move did not signal support for the conservative-leaning One Nation, but described it as a tactical decision.
“But this is not a vote of confidence in One Nation. In fact, far from it. But you’ve got to put people somewhere on the ballot. That’s the decision that we’ve made. And this is a vote of no confidence in the government. And that’s who I’m focused on defeating at the election on Saturday.”
South Australian elections involve full preferential voting, meaning voters rank their preferred candidate from most favourable to least. These votes are then distributed during the counting process and if certain candidates are eliminated—because of low support—the vote is moved on to the next candidate.
Focus on Cost of Living
The Liberal’s Hurn also dismissed concerns that federal leadership changes—from Sussan Ley to Angus Taylor—would influence the state contest.“When I’m out and about on the ground, people aren’t wanting to talk to me about preferences and the like. They’re wanting to know what our positive plan is for affordability, what we’re doing with the health system ... issues like crime,” Hurn said.
She acknowledged Premier Peter Malinauskas’ success in attracting major events.
Labor Maintains Poll Lead, One Nation Surging
Despite the Liberals’ strategy, recent polling suggests Labor remains well ahead with One Nation overtaking them on support.A Roy Morgan survey shows primary support for Labor at 35 percent, down 5 percent since the 2022 election, but still leading One Nation on 28 percent and the Liberal-National Coalition on 16.5 percent.
The Greens sit at 11 percent, with 3 percent backing minor parties and 6.5 percent supporting independents.
On a two-party preferred basis, Labor holds a commanding lead with 61 percent, compared to 39 percent for the Coalition. Against One Nation, Labor currently leads 59 percent to 41 percent.
A three-party preferred measure also places Labor close to majority support at 49.5 percent, ahead of One Nation on 31 percent and the Coalition on 19.5 percent.
Cost-of-living pressures and housing have dominated Labor’s campaign with rising state debt has constrained its ability to make major spending commitments.
Premier Malinauskas said his government had already begun addressing housing shortages.
“We have to get the number of homes being built in South Australia … up to 13,500 per annum to account for a modestly growing population and the workforce projections that we have with all the job opportunities coming our way,” he told ABC last week.
He outlined measures including scrapping stamp duty for older downsizers, releasing additional land, and introducing a targeted housing workforce plan.
Meanwhile, One Nation is positioning itself for a stronger showing, with federal MP Barnaby Joyce pointing to growing grassroots support.
“I will absolutely assure you that One Nation will poll number one in many seats,” he told ABC Insider on March 16.
“But then the preference flows of the other parties to try and make sure that One Nation doesn’t get up—we'll see where that resides.”
