Well, the South Australian election was held on Saturday, and with a landslide away from the Liberal Party, even in long-term safe seats, Peter Malinauskas’ Labor Party was crowned the victors on Saturday night.
Now begins the process of delivering on its election promises, with cost-of-living pressures firmly on voters’ agendas.
And, with many of them revolving around housing, given the current affordability and supply crisis, it’s clear the South Australian public hope Labor will use the privilege of governance to bring about real change for those doing it tough in the current economic climate.
South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas on election night. Picture: Brett Hartwig
Voters like Cheltenham voter and housing affordability advocate Chelsea Crosby.
“I live in public housing now after previously being homeless and staying in a state-funded women’s shelter, Catherine House,” she said.
“I’m hopeful this result means the Labor government will keep pushing to address the housing crisis, because people like me need more accessible housing and a real chance to own a home one day.”
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Ramsey voter and public housing tenant and volunteer with the Anti-Poverty Network of South Australia Mel Fisher said she wanted to see the government’s focus on delivering real relief.
“Peter Malinauskas campaigned on larger parking spaces,” she said.
“But bigger garages mean nothing if you can’t afford a home.
“South Australians need housing to be the priority.”
SA’s housing and affordability crisis spans the entire state.
Bragg voter Brendan Folwell said he had been left “deeply disappointed” by the election.
“I saw nothing but platitudes and blaming scapegoats for real structural problems,” he said.
“Our problems stem from a lack of public housing infrastructure.
“Xenophobia will only ensure you end up with nothing.”
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Enfield voter Pas Forgione was a little more optimistic.
“The Malinauskas government’s expected victory gives it a rare opportunity to take urgent action on South Australia’s housing crisis,” he said.
“That means committing to a major boost in public housing, using its strong mandate to introduce rent controls, and tackling the thousands of homes sitting empty.”
Labor’s key housing pledges going into the election included:
* $1bn to fast-track housing.
* $70m in stamp duty abolition for downsizers
* $413.5m in 2000 rent-to-own homes
* $29m to get 1000 new tradies to build homes
Peter Malinauskas on the tools at Tonsley Technical College after his election win. Picture: Eleni Tzanos
* $140m for 200 supported accommodation homes and to renovate 300 vacant Housing Trust homes
* Expansion of HomeStart’s low-deposit home loans
* $3.6m for a portable rental bonds scheme
* Establish the SA Gas and Water Trust, a new entity to de-corporatise SA Water and expand its remit
In his acceptance speech, Mr Malinauskas said he was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and his message was clear – it’s all hands on deck.
“We have never had more opportunity in this state than what we have before us right now and if we are going to unlock that opportunity to take a growing and expanding economy and turn it into improved living standards for everyone, then we’ve got to work together,” he said.
Premier Peter Malinauskas got a resounding thumbs up from the South Australian people on election day. Now he has to come good on his promises. Picture: Brett Hartwig.
With Mr Malinauskas’ promise to end hospital at the previous election not being fulfilled in the past four years, and in fact worsening, all eyes will be on not just his promises this election, but on the action he puts in place to see he can follow through on them.
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