One Nation Projected to Win Second South Australian Seat, Ousting Liberals in Hammond
Pauline Hanson's One Nation party is projected to secure a second seat in South Australia, defeating the Liberal Party in the electorate of Hammond, according to ABC projections. This marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, with the right-wing populist party gaining ground outside its traditional stronghold in Queensland.
Election Results and Projections
On Friday afternoon, One Nation held a primary vote of 22.3%, leading the Liberals at 19.4%. The ABC projects that One Nation will win in Hammond, with candidate Robert Roylace ahead of Labor's Simone Bailey, holding 55.5% of the vote compared to 44.5%. The state's electoral commission, still counting votes, shows One Nation leading in four seats, including Hammond, where the two-party-preferred count stands at 53.7% for Roylace versus 46.3% for Bailey.
Labor won the election in a landslide, as expected, but the surge in support for One Nation has captured attention. Polls leading up to the election indicated growing backing for the anti-immigration, right-wing populist party, with an Advertiser/YouGov poll revealing that most supporters voted for One Nation as a protest against major parties, rather than due to policy alignment.
Political Implications and Party Dynamics
This result is the first evidence that One Nation's polling figures can translate into actual votes, posing a challenge for major parties. The Liberal Party's decision to preference One Nation above Labor is cited by analysts as a factor that boosted One Nation's vote and contributed to their seat wins. South Australian Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan criticized this strategy, stating the party should always preference One Nation last due to its "toxic politics."
Former federal Liberal senator Cory Bernardi, who joined One Nation in February, will lead the party in the state's upper house, the legislative council, alongside two other One Nation MLCs. They will work with Sarah Game, who was the first One Nation MP elected in 2022 but defected in 2025 to form her own party.
Seat Changes and Historical Context
The ABC has also called Ngadjuri for One Nation, with new MP David Paton referring to it as "Frome" on social media. This seat was renamed in 2024 over concerns about its namesake, Edward Charles Frome, who burned down an Aboriginal village. Previously held by Liberal Penny Pratt, the final contest was between Paton and Labor's Tony Piccolo, who moved from his safe seat of Light.
One Nation is ahead in two additional seats, MacKillop and Narungga, according to projections. The Liberal Party is projected to win at least four seats and lead in five, maintaining its position as the official opposition despite scandals and leadership changes, including Ashton Hurn's brief tenure as leader before the poll.
Reactions and Future Outlook
Premier Peter Malinauskas has pledged to work with all parliament members despite differences, criticizing One Nation's lack of state-specific policies and noting Hanson's Queensland origins. In her election night speech, Hanson referenced this criticism, stating she was leaving "landmines" that could "explode" in South Australia through elected MPs. Malinauskas responded by emphasizing unity over division.
The next political tests include the 9 May Farrer byelection and upcoming elections in Victoria and New South Wales. The complexity of preference flows and the rise of independents make predictions challenging, but One Nation's success in South Australia signals a potential shift in Australian politics.
