Labor Makes Significant Gains Against Liberals in By-election

Labor has emerged victorious in the Black by-election in South Australia, with a significant swing against the Liberals. The Adelaide seat was up for grabs following the resignation of former opposition leader David Speirs.

This win further strengthens Peter Malinauskas’ government and deals a blow to the Liberals and new Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia, especially after the party’s defeat in Dunstan earlier in 2024.

Tarzia emphasized the message voters sent to the Liberals and stressed the need for improvement to secure victory in the 2026 election. He outlined the importance of unity, focus, discipline, and the necessity to turn things around within the next 16 months.

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The by-election was triggered by Speirs’ departure from parliament in October due to drug-related charges. Labor decided to stick with Dighton for the mortgage-belt seat, repeating their candidate choice from the 2022 election against Speirs.

In 2022, Dighton narrowed the Liberals’ lead in the two-candidate preferred count to 2.7 percent, and he was projected to achieve a 13 percent swing against Wilson, the Liberal candidate and Holdfast Bay Mayor.

This victory marks only the second time in over 116 years that an SA government has taken a seat from the opposition in a by-election. The first instance was in March, when Labor’s Cressida O’Hanlon narrowly won the Dunstan seat following Steven Marshall’s resignation.

Speirs served as the state Liberal leader until August when he revealed his resignation due to leadership rumors. In October, he announced his departure from parliament after being charged with supplying a controlled substance.

Speirs made a court appearance the day before the by-election and is scheduled for another hearing in March.