SA Libs leader admits ‘challenges’ after pre-vote horror poll   
South Australia’s premier and opposition leader have united in cautioning voters looking to cast their ballot for One Nation.


News.com.au
March 18, 2026

A fresh poll has put One Nation on track to beat the Liberals in South Australia’s upcoming election, with such a result threatening to shake up politics across the country.   

An Advertiser/YouGov poll published on Wednesday showed the Liberals were heading into Saturday’s election with their lowest primary vote in national history at 19 per cent.

One Nation was ahead on 22 per cent.

With Labor’s core support at 38 per cent, Premier Peter Malinauskas and his government are poised to be returned in a landslide win.

Reacting to the poll, South Australian Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn said there was “no doubt that we’ve had some challenges”.

South Australian Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn says the Liberals have been hampered by ‘challenges’.

“I’m just a straight up country person who is just playing the cards that I’ve been dealt, and my team and I do have some serious policies out there we’re really excited about,” she told a Sky-hosted debate, adding that cost-of-living was top-of-mind.

“I’m focused on getting outcomes for the people of SA and yes, this poll is obviously here today.

“There are numerous polls throughout election campaigns, and I’m sure the premier would share this view … the only poll that matters is election day.

“So I’ll keep working right up until Saturday at 6pm.”

Ms Hurn’s support as preferred premier has risen three points to 23 per cent on last month’s poll.

But the gap between herself and Mr Malinauskas remained huge, with the Premier commanding 62 per cent support.

Responding to the results, Mr Malinauskas cautioned anyone casting ballots for One Nation.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has cautioned voters looking to cast their ballots for One Nation.

“The thing about One Nation is their leader lives in Queensland,” he said.

“And when I wake up on Sunday morning, whatever the result of the election is, I’ll wake up in South Australia.

“Pauline Hanson will be in Queensland.”

Ms Hurn echoed his comments, saying that One Nation was a “Queensland-based party” and “very Queensland-focused”.

“We need South Australian policies on the table because that’s what people are voting for,” she said.

I know little about local SA politics but I think it obvious that Trump has seriously damaged the conservative cause world wide. So barring any stand out local issues the conservative should be deep in trouble.

My old mate Pete should win this one.

Jasin wrote on Mar 18^th, 2026 at 6:43pm:


Biden had the most impresive term in recent US history. Unfortunately Albo is average in comparison. I have no idea how this relates to SA politics but there is zero indication of any swing back to the Libs. The requirment is that the Libs need to improve first to encourage a recovery.

Labor should win this one very easily.

The only thing of interest is how ON goes.

Can they turn opinion polls into real votes?

What will the Upper House look like?

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 21^st, 2026 at 9:52am:



When you're a star they let you do it.

It never stopped Trump from being elected.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 21^st, 2026 at 11:15am:


That's right, because there are a lot of rapists in the US.

And convicted criminals, just like Trump.

Labor wins by a landslide:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-21/a-mountain-to-a-cliff-for-sa-liberals-in-...


When Ashton Hurn took on the role of South Australian Liberal leader just a few months ago, she likened the challenge to climbing a "mountain".

Rather than climbing the mountain, the Liberal Party has now fallen off a cliff.

The party has not just lost, but has suffered one of the most staggering election disasters in Australian political history.

In a country that has had an entrenched two-party system for 80 years, the Liberals appear to have somehow slipped to third, at least on the primary vote.

"You do have to concede the people have spoken and there has been quite a loud message sent," Liberal Senator Anne Ruston said on the ABC's election night coverage.

If you had told even the most pessimistic Liberal when Ms Hurn took the leadership that their vote would fall this far,  it's highly unlikely they would have believed you.

Across Adelaide, once very safe Liberal seats are now in Labor hands.

Perhaps most significantly, the Liberals appear to have finished significantly behind One Nation on the primary vote.