Premier Peter Malinauskas has declared victory in South Australia\u2019s state election as vote counting indicates a Labor landslide of historic proportions.<\/p>\n
Taking to the stage at Labor\u2019s election HQ to chants of \u201cfour more years\u201d, Mr Malinauskas said he was \u201chumbled\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than anything else, tonight, I\u2019m overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude,\u201d he told party faithful.<\/p>\n
\u201cA gratitude to so many people who have provided this government the opportunity to be able to continue to serve. To be able to continue our work of making sure that the momentum in South Australia delivers for the people who deserves it most, and those are the people of South Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Malinauskas went on to thank Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn \u201cfor the gracious way she conceded\u201d.<\/p>\n
Ms Hurn took up the Liberal leadership in December as the party\u2019s fourth leader in as many years and was saddled with plunging primary support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI give Ashton great credit for her poise and commitment throughout the course of the campaign, and I wish her every success in whatever undertaking she takes into the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also gave thanks to One Nation\u2019s South Australia leader, Cory Bernardi, who too gave him a congratulatory call.<\/p>\n
The former federal senator won an upper house seat, marking his return to politics and securing One Nation a parliamentary presence.<\/p>\n
\u201cCory Bernardi and One Nation also deserve recognition. Not just for \u2026 going out of their way to contact me this evening, but also for getting a very significant result at the ballot box, which does deserve recognition and credit,\u201d Mr Malinauskas said.<\/p>\n
He added that his government \u201cstands ready\u201d to work with everyone in the parliament \u201cas long as it is in the interests of South Australians\u201d.<\/p>\n
Just two hours after polls closed on Saturday, Labor was well ahead in most of its electorates despite a swing toward One Nation in some seats.<\/p>\n
The biggest swing occurred in the blue collar electorate of Elizabeth.<\/p>\n
A Labor stronghold, the party was weathering an 18.4 per cent point swing against it with One Nation up 26.4 percentage points at reporting.<\/p>\n
Mr Malinauskas, who went into the election with a record-high approval rating, also taken a 7.6 percentage point swing against him in his own seat of Croydon.<\/p>\n
Overall, the trend did not pose a serious threat to Labor\u2019s holdings and it was making ground in Liberal-held seats.<\/p>\n
Conceding the election, Ms Hurn told supporters at party headquarters that \u201clessons must be learned\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tough night for the Liberals. There\u2019s absolutely no doubt about it that things are tough and lessons must be learned,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of things that we need to reflect on. But now is not the time for that.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow is the time to celebrate the Liberal cause because and to give hope for the future because there is still hope for the Liberal future here in South Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Ms Hurn congratulated Mr Malinauskas on his win, One Nation\u2019s national leader Pauline Hanson had a warning for him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am leaving tomorrow to go to Canberra to continue my duties,\u201d she told a crowd of One Nation volunteers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut guess what, mate. I\u2019m leaving you some landmines. They\u2019re called One Nation members of parliament.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I suggest you don\u2019t step on them because they will explode. And that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for \u2013 to ensure you get good representation, good government with a good opposition, which you have not had in this state for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Celebrations at Labor watch party<\/p>\n
Hundreds of party faithful gathered at Labor\u2019s watch party cheered and applauded as news broke of the outlook, with Lower House speaker Leon Bignell declaring it a \u201cgreat victory\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been so many people out their volunteering their time spreading the word,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve just had some really amazing incumbent MPs but I\u2019ve been really impressed with the calibre of the candidates who put up their hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Bignell went on to praise Mr Malinauskas.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think Peter can get any more plaudits than he\u2019s already got because he just works hard every single day,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you see is what you get and \u2026 I\u2019m in awe of busy working families right throughout the state \u2013 I look at Peter and Annabel, two professionals, a law firm partner and the premier of the state with four kids under 10.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey just seem to do it so effortlessly and I just think people gravitate towards that sort of energy that Pete has.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got a genuine interest in people and he really cares, he really does care, he\u2019s got empathy, but he also wants stuff done.\u201d<\/p>\n