SA voters surprise the government

By Melanie Sjoberg

ADELAIDE -- In a result that surprised most commentators, the SA Liberals were re-elected to government on October 11 with a significantly reduced majority. They lost 12 of the seats won in the landslide 1993 elections.

A large part of the swing against the government went first to the Democrats, who were claiming their own victory of sorts until the sudden defection of Cheryl Kernot to the Labor Party.

The increased voter support for the Democrats reflects the fact that the establishment media were willing to promote them as a palatable alternative rather than a serious threat.

Final results in three seats will not be known until the completion of postal vote counting.

The election demonstrated a further reinforcement of the growing dissatisfaction with both major parties. Overshadowed by the AFL grand final victory of the Crows, the four-week campaign had very little policy or political content.

The ALP is proclaiming the outcome as a reaffirmation of party leader Mike Rann. In reality it is stretching the analysis to suggest that the ALP has convinced voters that it is returning to its “battler” supporters.

The most interesting vote occurred in the Legislative Council, where a wide range of independents and small parties tested the feelings of the electorate.

The right wing No Pokies ticket, led by small business car dealer Bob Moran, picked up strong support. Of the few progressive alternatives, the strongest vote went to HEMP (Help End Marijuana Prohibition), followed closely behind by the Greens.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
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