Meet the indie crop keen to win a seat in SA’s state election
More than 20 independent candidates are throwing their hats into the state election ring in the lead up to March polling day. One is taking on the Premier’s seat while others warn of a government taking their electorates “for granted”. Meet some of the hopefuls.
Socialist takes on the Premier
Ahmed Azhar is taking on Premier Peter Malinauskas in Croydon as an independent with endorsement from the SA Socialists.
Azhar decided to put his hand up because “thousands of workers across this state have been left behind by a Labor government that has taken their vote for granted”.
He said central issues of his campaign were housing, healthcare and solidarity with Palestine, as well as stronger workers’ rights.
“We are fighting to build 20,000 new public homes over the next four years, freeze rents and raise housing quality standards for renters,” Azhar said.
“Our premier should not be stopping authors like Randa Abdel-Fattah from speaking at Writers’ Week, or by putting hundreds of millions of dollars into arms companies that help supply Israel, we must stop supporting the genocide in Gaza, and use that money to raise living standards for workers.”
Azhar said there had been considerable community support for the SA Socialists’ campaign.
“The major political parties have fractured their own vote by ruling for the rich at the expense of their own base,” he said.
“Part of the importance of our project is to present a genuine alternative to the false anti-establishment politics of the far-right.”
Waite candidate says, “We are in serious danger”
Alec Gargett is running as an independent in Waite – against sitting member Labor MP Catherine Hutchesson – because “our quality of life is already declining or under threat due to incompetence from all major parties” and “we are in serious danger”.
“We need more dynamic parliaments at both state and federal levels to solve this, and that starts with an independent thinker like me in state parliament telling the truth,” he said.
Among the key issues he is running on are cost of living, quality of housing, protecting suburbs and addressing environmental issues.
Gargett says he would also advocate for central bank reform, the independence of science surrounding the “algae crisis” and healthcare, including addressing the “ramping crisis”.
“I’ll support ending conflicts of interest and funding the EPA to give us a comprehensive breakdown of the nutrient pollution sources,” he said.
“Many people I’ve spoken to have been open-minded, and then quite enthusiastic once they’ve heard my pitch.
“Some voters are so attached to a particular party or politician already that they’re not interested in a fair go, but a much larger number probably haven’t even heard of me yet because they understandably avoid politics as much as possible.”
Hammond independent says her community’s been left behind
Airlie Keen is running as an independent in Hammond – against sitting member Liberal Adrian Pederick – claiming the seat had been taken for granted.
“Both major parties have made election commitments on public transport and hospital upgrades at Murray Bridge – issues I have campaigned heavily on,” she said.
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“Whilst this election won’t see a change of government, I believe it is critically important Hammond is represented by an experienced advocate who’s prepared to stand up and fight for our fair share.
“As a community independent, if elected, I would have a direct contract with my community, by-passing the middle-man, so to speak.”
Keen said there were many issues affecting Hammond, including after-hours GP care in Strathalbyn, operational helipads in Murray Bridge and Mannum, adequate funding for the Freight Bypass and Swanport Bridge duplication and addressing vacant Housing Trust homes.
“These and other matters are why I’m focussed on our health, housing and transport needs, as well as education, the environment, improving the health of our rivers and water security,” she said.
“I want to see South Australia and my community thrive and prosper, with a healthy democracy – that can only happen when governments are held to account, something Independents do effectively.
“A one-party state will not serve democracy.”
Independent Finniss candidate calls for investment in regional planning
Bronwyn Lewis is standing as an independent for Finniss – against sitting member Liberal MP David Basham – because she had “repeatedly seen decisions announced but not delivered in regional areas”.
“After working alongside both the current Liberal MP and the other independent candidate, I saw advocacy stall and projects drift, with too much focus on photo opportunities rather than outcomes,” she said.
Among the main issues in the seat covering the Fleurieu she will be pursuing are investment in health, housing, energy, childcare, transport, the environment and risk management.
This includes advocacy for stand-alone palliative care, improving the Patient Assistance Transport Scheme, a review of stamp duty, universal battery subsidies, safer roads, protecting coastlines and preventing algal blooms.
“I am strong enough to be a voice at the table to deliver what’s best for my community,” she said.
Lewis said her community-driven campaign had received broad support, saying that “voters are tired of watching local issues sidelined by party politics”.
Asked about one change she’d like to see in South Australia, Lewis said regional planning must be treated as “essential state infrastructure”.
“Growth is outpacing services, housing and transport. My approach is planning to prevent a crisis,” she said.
“You can’t build a house without a plan – how can you expect to build a region without the foundations?”
Ellis seeks re-election in Narungga
Independent and sitting Narungga MP Fraser Ellis, who was formerly a Liberal, said a key issue of his re-election campaign was investing in regional health.
“I think we are on the edge of finally securing some proper investment in our health system, and I would like to see that work through,” he said.
“If there were fewer people being flown out and more people being treated where they live, then ramping would be eased, and the burden would be less on metropolitan hospitals.”
Asked why he was running as an independent, Ellis was not sure if any of the major parties would have him as a candidate, but added that he had also been able to deliver results for his community as an independent.
“I’d like to continue the other good work we’ve been doing in roads – there’s still lots to do around the place despite the good effort we’ve made,” he said.
When asked how much support there had been for his re-election campaign, Ellis said he would wait until polling day.
“It’s been pleasing to get out in the community and seemingly have quite a bit of support from those that are out and about,” he said.
Ellis was found guilty of four counts of deception relating to the misuse of a parliamentary travel allowance in mid-2024.
McBride seeks another term
MacKillop MP Nick McBride is running for re-election in March 2026, having represented the seat since 2018.
Formerly a member of the SA Liberals, he later quit, citing “dark forces” within the party.
He is currently facing domestic violence charges involving his former wife, which he has “vigorously denied”.
McBride was running because “there’s still much more to be done” in what he said was a previously overlooked but economically important region.
“I have successfully advocated to secure funding for 27 mobile phone towers, $9 million for the Naracoorte Hospital, a new police station, key worker housing in Bordertown and upgrades to roads – but there’s still much more to be done,” he said.
McBride said his main priority was to deliver “practical outcomes” for his community.
“These include improving access to high-quality healthcare, securing targeted funding for road maintenance, expanding childcare options to support families who live and work here, and increasing access to affordable housing — all outlined in my Strategic Roadmap,” he said.
He said voters were turning to independents because “there is a real voter discontent and distrust around the major parties”.
McBride said he wanted to see proportionate investment in regional areas, saying that funding decisions were often “city-centric”.
“Major infrastructure, health investment, transport upgrades and community services are disproportionately focused on metropolitan Adelaide, while regional communities are expected to do more with less,” he said.
Seafood business operator wants more investment in Flinders
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Independent Flinders candidate Meghan Petherick, who owns and operates the Prawn Store, said she is running against sitting Liberal MP Sam Telfer “to make sure this region gets practical investment that matches what we contribute”.
She said that despite Flinders being “a major economic engine for South Australia”, it was “not seeing that reflected in infrastructure or services”.
Petherick said she was running as an independent because it means she can “work with whoever is in government to secure better roads, smarter freight solutions”.
Among the issues most important to her were aged care, accessible healthcare, freight efficiency and long-term infrastructure planning.
“This region generates millions for the state, and we need infrastructure that helps producers stay competitive, not hold them back,” she said.
Petherick said support for her campaign had been “incredibly positive” and that “it’s building real momentum”.
“Across the Eyre Peninsula, people are stepping forward, offering time, backing and genuine encouragement because they want practical representation that puts this region first,” she said.
She said voters were moving towards independents because “communities want accountability”.
“When a region contributes serious economic value yet keeps being overlooked, people look for someone who will sit at the table, negotiate firmly and be accountable to the people who sent them there,” she said.
Former Green seeks another term
Former Green turned independent MLC Tammy Franks said she was running for re-election because “right now our hard-won rights are under attack”.
“This coming state election, although Labor is expected to win the Lower House in a landslide, the Upper House will be more important than ever,” she said.
“I’m an experienced and effective force in the Upper House where laws should be tested, decisions scrutinised and where democracy must be defended.”
Franks was the former joint leader of the SA Greens but spectacularly quit the party last year over allegations of being “undermined”.
While Franks still held “traditional Greens values” close to her heart, she was running as an independent because “there is a joy in simply being true to yourself and a directness and accessibility factor for those who come to an independent parliamentarian for support”.
“I am unapologetically pro-choice, pro-science, pro-union, pro-women and pro-kindness,” Franks said.
If re-elected, she hoped to hold power to account, with “defending democracy”, “restoring reason”, and “preserving our progressive laws” as her top priorities.
She also hoped to fight for the rights of sex workers.
Franks said she had received strong and “surprising” support so far, including from traditional Labor voters “who want their own party to be kept honest”.
Snape wants to break the two-party duopoly
Adelaide City Councillor Keiran Snape said he was running for Adelaide because “it has become clear that the Labor government will be re-elected in a landslide, without a strong opposition to hold them to account”.
Snape is taking on incumbent Adelaide MP and Labor’s Environment Minister Lucy Hood.
Among issues of concern were the use of public land for private use.
“This ties into transparency and accountability, with the dealings around the North Adelaide Golf Course, Festival Plaza, Victoria Park (Adelaide 500), and the Prospect Lifestyle Precinct making it clear that consultation and planning processes need to be reformed,” he said.
Other priorities were building enough housing (including affordable rentals), tackling homelessness, increasing mental health services, and “addressing the epidemic of domestic and family violence”.
Snape said support for his campaign been “overwhelming” so far.
“People from across the electorate are tired of the two major parties dominating and are looking for a credible alternative,” he said.
“Voters just want their voices to be heard, and independents make a genuine effort to do so. Independent MPs have proven that you don’t need a party behind you to enact legislative change.”
Asked about something he’d like to see change in South Australian politics, Snape said he wanted more transparency and accountability among decision makers.
“By breaking up the two-party domination, we can start to make this happen,” he said.
Socialist takes on Labor royalty
Leila Clendon, who is endorsed by SA Socialists, is running as an independent in Enfield – Arts Minister and Labor MP Andrea Michaels recently announced she will not re-contest the seat, instead Clendon will face Labor candidate Lawrence Benn.
She said she was running because “people here are being taken for granted”.
“Our schools are underfunded, rents are skyrocketing, first-time home buyers are being locked out of the market, and bulk-billed healthcare is disappearing,” she said.
Among her top priorities were housing affordability and anti-racism.
“We need to cap rents, massively invest in public housing, and make sure everyone has a roof over their head,” she said.
“At the same time, racism is on the rise and migrants are being blamed for economic crises caused by big corporations and billionaires.”
Clendon said voters were “fed up” with the major parties and that “we need a left-wing alternative that acknowledges this frustration is legitimate, that the problems and hurt are real, but recognises it is caused by the rich, not our neighbours”.
“I want to see a South Australia where everyone has what they need to live a decent life, regardless of postcode or tax bracket. A state that invests in healthcare and education, not big corporations or weapons of war. A state where people are put before profit,” she said.
This list will be continually updated during the State Election campaign.
