{"id":567736,"date":"2026-03-27T11:58:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T11:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/567736\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T11:58:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T11:58:25","slug":"one-nations-surge-in-south-australia-raises-concerns-for-health-equity-and-prevention-croakey-health-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/567736\/","title":{"rendered":"One Nation\u2019s surge in South Australia raises concerns for health equity and prevention \u2013 Croakey Health Media"},"content":{"rendered":"

The significant vote<\/a> for the right-wing populist party, One Nation, at the recent South Australian election, which returned the Labor Malinauskas Government with an increased majority,<\/a> is raising alarm bells, reports Jason Staines.<\/p>\n

Jason Staines writes:<\/p>\n

One Nation\u2019s strong showing at the South Australian election \u2014 securing about 22 percent of the primary vote and overtaking the Liberal Party\u2019s primary vote \u2014 highlights a significant shift in the state\u2019s political landscape.<\/p>\n

The result, described by analysts as a political \u201cearthquake\u201d, reflects a broader fragmentation of the traditional two-party system and has prompted concern among public health experts about what it may signal for health equity, evidence-based policy, and the wellbeing of communities most likely to experience racism and discrimination.<\/p>\n

Associate Professor Toby Freeman, Director of Research at Stretton Health Equity at Adelaide University, said the result would be \u201cdisheartening\u201d for those working to improve health outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of us who pursue health equity may be disheartened to see the high primary vote for One Nation in the recent South Australian election, and worry what it means for other jurisdictions,\u201d he told Croakey.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that we need to build political will for more equitable policy, and a growing national discourse that actively undermines equity as a goal through racism and discrimination is a threat to building the necessary political will.\u201d<\/p>\n

Policies?<\/p>\n

Those concerns are sharpened by a closer look at One Nation\u2019s policy platform, which suggests a relatively narrow approach to health that is focused primarily on service pressures within the existing system, rather than the broader drivers of health identified by public health experts.<\/p>\n

The party\u2019s health policy<\/a> is framed around what it describes as a system \u201cblowing out to crisis proportions\u201d, pointing to ambulance ramping, staff shortages, long emergency department waiting times and limited access to services in regional communities. Its proposed solutions are largely centred on increasing capacity, particularly by addressing what it sees as bottlenecks in hospital flow.<\/p>\n

A key focus is freeing up emergency department beds by expanding capacity in adjacent parts of the system. One Nation argues that beds are being occupied by \u201cnon-emergency patients for long periods of time because there is nowhere else for these patients to go\u201d, including mental health, aged care and disability patients. Its response is to provide more beds and facilities for these groups, including potentially repurposing existing hospital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Regional health access is another priority, with a strong emphasis on decentralisation. One Nation proposes returning decision-making and budget control to regional health authorities and country hospital boards, alongside expanding telehealth and, where feasible, restoring or upgrading regional facilities to provide services such as cancer care, rehabilitation and palliative care.<\/p>\n

Workforce shortages are addressed primarily through incentives to attract and retain practitioners, including financial supports and changes to accreditation processes for overseas-trained professionals. The party also proposes removing \u201cany remaining bureaucratic sanctions against employees for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations\u201d as part of efforts to restore staffing levels.<\/p>\n

While the policy includes a commitment to \u201cmore preventative health care in regional, rural and remote South Australia to reduce incidences of lifestyle-related chronic conditions\u201d, prevention is otherwise a relatively minor component of the platform.<\/p>\n

There is little detail on population-level public health measures or on the social and commercial determinants of health.<\/p>\n

Similarly, there is no substantive discussion of First Nations peoples\u2019 health, despite the centrality of these issues in the broader election debate. Nor does the party\u2019s health policy engage with climate-related health risks or wider structural factors such as housing, food security or racism.<\/p>\n

These gaps are also reflected in other areas of the party\u2019s platform with health implications.<\/p>\n

Its energy policy includes opposition to net zero targets, and supports expanded coal and nuclear generation, while its education policy includes a commitment to remove what it describes as \u201cideological or politically-biased material, such as trans\/gender ideology or Indigenous activism\u201d.<\/p>\n

Australian Health Promotion Association SA\/NT Branch Co-President Talia Blythman said the party\u2019s approach did not adequately reflect the role of prevention in improving health outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was disappointing that the One Nation party did not take up the SA Public Health Consortium\u2019s invitation to speak at our SA State Election Virtual Forum held in February this year,\u201d she told Croakey.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was an opportunity to share more about their positions relating to preventive health. Reflecting on their health policy position on their website, I would have liked to see a much stronger focus on primary prevention to support the health and wellbeing of South Australians,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not just about hospitals and GPs. Primary prevention is vital to reduce pressures on our health system. Strong evidence demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of investing in prevention in relation to both health and economic impacts.\u201d<\/p>\n

First Nations health<\/p>\n

Concerns about the election result are particularly acute in relation to First Nations peoples\u2019 health, where Croakey\u2019s pre-election coverage<\/a> highlighted longstanding structural challenges and warnings about the political climate.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the vote, Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia (ACHSA) CEO Tanya McGregor warned that racism and \u201cextreme views\u201d were \u201con the rise\u201d, raising concerns about the impact on Aboriginal peoples\u2019 health and wellbeing and on engagement with services.<\/p>\n

ACHSA\u2019s election priorities focused heavily on the social determinants of health, including housing, food and water security, and access to care in regional and remote communities. For many Aboriginal people, accessing healthcare can involve long and costly travel, with current patient transport arrangements requiring upfront payments that many cannot afford.<\/p>\n

Housing conditions were also identified as a critical issue, with calls for investment to ensure basic infrastructure such as running water, sanitation and climate-appropriate housing. Food insecurity remains a major concern, particularly in remote areas where the cost of fresh food is high and access is limited.<\/p>\n

At the same time, ACHSA highlighted the ongoing impact of structural racism within the health system, citing evidence of \u201cvery high\u201d levels of institutional racism across all South Australian Local Health Networks. It has called for an anti-racism action plan for SA Health, along with greater transparency and accountability in how complaints are handled.<\/p>\n

Both One Nation and the Liberal Party have opposed South Australia\u2019s Voice to Parliament, which was established to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a direct say in laws and policies affecting them.<\/p>\n

For health advocates, the risk is that a political environment marked by division and distrust may further undermine efforts to improve outcomes through partnership, culturally safe care and community-led solutions.<\/p>\n

\"\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cx2j4q60wlgo<\/a><\/p>\n

Since its inception, One Nation has been best known for its anti-immigration policies, the BBC reported this week<\/a>. In Pauline Hanson\u2019s first speech to Parliament in 1996, she said Australia was \u201cin danger of being swamped by Asians\u201d, a speech which also took aim at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and set the tone for her approach to politics, said the broadcaster.<\/p>\n

Rising division<\/p>\n

South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance<\/a> CEO Varo Lee told Croakey the result reflected both rising division and the pressures facing vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe election results and conduct throughout the campaign come as no surprise,\u201d they said, pointing to concerns long raised by LGBTIQA+ communities, First Nations communities, people of colour and migrant communities that \u201cdivision and hate is on the rise\u201d and taking a toll on mental health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Lee said the result also reflected the material pressures facing many South Australians, including cost of living, housing affordability and access to healthcare. LGBTIQA+ people were \u201cno more immune to this than anyone else\u201d, with some forced to choose between paying rent, buying groceries or seeing a doctor.<\/p>\n

They said that for many in these communities, the election was \u201cabout survival\u201d, with economic pressures compounded by experiences of prejudice and discrimination.<\/p>\n

While One Nation may appeal to some voters on issues such as cost of living and housing, Lee said rhetoric targeting people on the basis of race, sexuality and gender was a \u201charmful and dangerous distraction\u201d from the lack of viable policy solutions at the state level.<\/p>\n

Lee also warned that a \u201clong and ongoing history of systemic discrimination\u201d had eroded trust in institutions and willingness to engage with services among many LGBTIQA+ South Australians.<\/p>\n

\"\"Election signs in South Australia. Photo by Lea McInerney
\nCalls to action<\/p>\n

Across Croakey\u2019s pre-election coverage<\/a>, public health experts and organisations were largely aligned on a central message: South Australia needs to shift from a hospital-focused system to one that addresses the broader conditions that shape health.<\/p>\n

A consistent call has been to increase investment in prevention. South Australia currently spends just 2.24 per cent of its total health expenditure on public health, well short of the five per cent target set by the National Preventive Health Strategy.<\/p>\n

While the Labor Government has established Preventive Health SA, Professor Fran Baum said the agency has \u201ca tiny budget and isn\u2019t able to really re-orientate the health system towards being a health promotion and disease prevention one when so much is spent on hospital services\u201d.<\/p>\n

Blythman said increasing investment in prevention should remain a priority regardless of the political environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn our recent 2026 State Election Platform we highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan to double the current investment in our state. This would then align with the National Preventive Health Strategy 2021\u20132030 target to increase investment by 5 per cent by 2030. I would encourage all political parties to reflect on this strong evidence and push for this investment for health and wellbeing in our state and country,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

This imbalance is reflected more broadly across the system. Health policy experts have urged the State Government to focus less on building new hospitals and more on community health and prevention, alongside a stronger whole-of-government approach.<\/p>\n

As SA Council of Social Service CEO Dr Catherine Earl said ahead of the election<\/a>, \u201cHealth equity won\u2019t be achieved in emergency departments and hospitals alone \u2014 it will also be achieved in classrooms, on public transport, and with the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Public health leaders have also warned of worker shortages, particularly in environmental health and local government roles, which are limiting the state\u2019s ability to prevent illness and respond to emerging threats. Blythman said maintaining a strong public health workforce would be critical to improving outcomes.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaintaining a strong health promotion and public health workforce is vital to improving health and wellbeing in our state,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have the State Public Health Plan and the Preventive Health SA Strategic Plan both in development. Having a clear whole-of-government Health Promotion and Public Health Workforce Strategy will be important to support the effective implementation of these plans.\u201d<\/p>\n

For SARAA\u2019s Lee, the need is to back rhetoric with action, which was something lacking during the election campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cLGBTIQA+ South Australians want leaders who will do more than denounce homophobia and transphobia when it\u2019s politically convenient or turn up at pride once a year \u2013 that\u2019s the bare minimum.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want leaders who will back up their words with serious meaningful action on the challenges we\u2019re facing. We didn\u2019t see that from either of the major parties when it came to LGBTIQA+ priorities this election, with few to no meaningful commitments made by Labor or Liberal,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

Wider implications<\/p>\n

Climate change is an urgent and ongoing public health challenge, underscored by the algal bloom crisis. Experts have called for long-term investment in research into its health impacts and a broader recognition of environmental threats as core health issues.<\/p>\n

The returned Labor Government has a new Minister for Health and Wellbeing<\/a> in Blair Boyer, formerly the Minister for Education, Training and Skills. It has been presented with a well-established agenda for reform for health (as outlined in Croakey\u2019s pre-election coverage<\/a>). The question now is whether they will act on it.<\/p>\n

One Nation\u2019s result in South Australia sits within a broader shift in Australian politics, where support for major parties has been declining and voters are increasingly willing to back minor parties.<\/p>\n

While such shifts have been building over decades, the scale of the One Nation vote in this election \u2014 and the collapse of the Liberal Party\u2019s primary vote \u2014 marks a significant moment. The Guardian reports<\/a> that the\u00a0next test will be the 9 May Farrer by-election<\/a>, followed by the Victorian and NSW elections.<\/p>\n

For the health sector, the implications are less about parliamentary arithmetic and more about what this shift signals.<\/p>\n

A political environment that is increasingly shaped by populism, dissatisfaction and fragmentation may make it harder to build consensus around prevention, equity and evidence-based policy \u2014 even as the need for action on these issues becomes more urgent.<\/p>\n

See Croakey\u2019s archive of articles on #SouthAustraliaVotes2026<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The significant vote for the right-wing populist party, One Nation, at the recent South Australian election, which returned…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":567737,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[64,63,44],"class_list":{"0":"post-567736","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-australia","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=567736"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/567736\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/567737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=567736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=567736"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=567736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}