Labor Secures Historic Second Term: State Election Count and Leadership Briefings Continue Today

Election Results Solidify Labor’s Mandate

Adelaide and the wider South Australian community are waking up to a significantly altered political landscape today, Sunday, 22 March 2026. Following yesterday’s state election, Premier Peter Malinauskas has successfully led the Labor Party to a historic second term, securing a commanding majority in the House of Assembly. As of early this morning, official figures from the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) indicate that Labor has already claimed at least 32 of the 47 available seats, well above the 24 required to govern in its own right.

Speaking to supporters late last night and in early briefings today, Premier Malinauskas described the result as a humbling invitation to continue the government’s work. He emphasized that the victory should not be viewed as mere adulation but as a mandate to address the state's most pressing challenges over the next four years, specifically focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, and economic stability.

The Official Count Continues

While the overall winner is clear, official government activity remains high today as the ECSA continues the rigorous process of counting remaining ballots. This election saw a record-breaking number of early and postal votes, with nearly half of the 1.3 million eligible voters casting their ballots before election day. Key activities taking place today include:

• Declaration Vote Processing: Officials are currently verifying and counting postal and declaration votes that could decide the final margins in several closely contested regional and metropolitan seats.
• Legislative Council Tallies: The count for the 11 vacant seats in the Upper House is ongoing, with complex preference distributions expected to determine the final crossbench composition.
• Seat Finalization: While Labor has reached a majority, 13 seats remain officially in doubt, and counting centers across Adelaide are operating today to provide further clarity.

A Shift in the Political Landscape

Today’s political briefings have focused heavily on the unprecedented surge of One Nation, which has fundamentally disrupted the traditional two-party system in South Australia. The party, led in the state by Cory Bernardi, secured approximately 21.7% of the statewide vote, outpacing the Liberal Party in many areas. Political analysts have characterized the result as a "political earthquake," noting that the Liberals, led by Ashton Hurn, recorded one of their lowest primary votes in history.

Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn conceded the election late Saturday, acknowledging that the voters had sent a clear message to her party. In her statements today, she expressed a commitment to rebuilding the Liberal brand and serving as an effective opposition as the final seat count determines the size of her shadow cabinet. Press conferences are expected throughout the afternoon as party leaders meet with newly elected members to discuss the formation of the 56th Parliament of South Australia.