South Australia Election: Labor's BBQ Gamble, Cost-of-Living Pressures

From the streets of Adelaide to the world, this is Adelaide News Today.

Election Day in South Australia started with long lines at polling stations after a computer glitch delayed openings at a few locations.

Officials fixed the issue quickly, but some booths like Newton open late due to staff shortages.

By 12.30 pm, 311,563 votes were in, with nearly 29% of the 1 million three.

117,000 eligible voters having cast early ballots across 435 candidates.

Prime Minister Anthony Albinese and Premier Peter Malinozka's

flip snags at a barbecue in the Hartley electorate, boosting labor's bid to Flipta.

Seat from former liberal leader, Vincent Tarzia, who holds a slim 3.6% margin.

Meanwhile, ex-liberal David Spears, running independent in black after a drug conviction,

voiced optimism that his community ties outweigh the scandal, backed by 120 volunteers.

Voters highlighted cost of living pressures, housing shortages, and local headaches

like traffic congestion and parking woes. In rural spots, one nation drew strong support

from those upset over-government spending, even outpolling liberals in some surveys at 39.

Percent to 15%. Others praised labor's renewable energy moves amid rising oil prices.

Key races include Morialta, a 1.4% liberal hold with debates over a university campus sale,

Inga Jury, where boundaries trim the liberal margin to 3.2%, and McKillip, featuring an

independent on home detention facing charges. Spots like Dunston, Schubert, and Mount Gambier ad drama,

with bi-election wins, vacancies, and independence tied to past scandals.

As polls close and alongside boating for the first nation's voice, Tally's will show if labor

keeps its 2022 swing or of tight margins. Shift power in these battlegrounds.