Left-leaning politicians have expressed concern in response to Turning Point Australia’s decision to launch a South Australian chapter ahead of the March 2026 state election.
The Australian chapter has a brand agreement with Turning Point USA, a U.S.-based organisation founded by conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.
Under Kirk’s leadership, TPUSA became a major conservative group in high schools and colleges.
Since his tragic death, there has been a surge in demand for new TPUSA chapters.
Meanwhile, George-Alexander Mamalis has been appointed as the South Australian state coordinator. Mamalis has worked for a number of political figures.
National Director of Turning Point Australia Joel Jammal said politicians and media were not happy about the new chapter.
“Because you guys have an election coming up in less than six months so we’ve got to get cracking. To lead this, the man behind the Adelaide set George Mamalis and boy have the media been freaking out,” he said.
“Some leaders are saying this is terrible, it’s the ‘Americanisation’ of Australian politics. I’m sorry that transparency offends you. I’m sorry that freedom of speech offends you” he said.
Jammal said he looked forward to doing events with Mamalis in the lead-up to the election.
“George has a large following of some 300,000 people, and many of them in South Australia specifically are asking for greater transparency in politics and more involvement in politics. So I am pleased to be partnering with George,” he said.
“George is a great friend, he is a really great guy when it comes to political philosophy but also pragmatic things at how we can get our country back in the right direction.”
Mamalis said he was honoured to be appointed as the state coordinator to help lead the movement in his home state.
Concern About Americanisation of Politics
The new chapter has received pushback from politicians in the Labor Party and Greens.South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, from the right faction of the Labor Party, cautioned against the Americanisation of South Australian politics.
“I don’t think that’s a great thing, but it’s a free and liberal democracy, and people are able to express their opinions and views and that shouldn’t be shied away from. I’m not going to worry about what’s going on the fringe of politics.”
South Australian Greens Member of the Legislative Council Robert Simms also critiqued the new chapter on a post to Facebook.
“‘Turning Point coming to SA is just another example of the Americanisation of conservative politics. I don’t think the views they espouse reflect mainstream values,” he said in a post to Facebook.
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia called on conservatives to join the traditional Liberal Party instead.
“I think the Liberal Party does best when we embrace both the conservative wing of the party and also the progressive wing in what John Howard once called the broad church.
“My advice would be if people want to join the centre-right of politics then they should join the Liberal Party.”
