South Australia’s election: a renewed Labor mandate or a history-making first for One Nation

As South Australia heads to the polls this Saturday, energy is shaping up as one of the key issues. The debate is largely being driven by two very different visions for the state’s future. Based on current polling, Peter Malinauskas’s Labor Government is expected to be re-elected, likely with an increased majority, while it remains unclear who will form the opposition, recent polling suggestsPauline Hanson’s One Nation is currently favoured to take that role. That makes this election a clear comparison between two very different approaches to energy.

Labor’s plan builds on South Australia’s strong shift towards renewable energy[i]. The Government is aiming for 100 per cent net renewables by 2027, while also putting systems in place to make sure power remains reliable as the mix changes. This includes backing large batteries and keeping gas in the system to step in when renewable energy isn’t available, especially during peak demand periods, through the Firm Energy Reliability Mechanism (FERM) tender, which is seeking 700MW of long duration storage capacity over the next six years.[ii] A key part of Labor’s approach has been creating a legislative pathway for new energy projects. New laws have been introduced to make it easier and faster to build renewable projects, while still including protections for landowners, First Nations communities and local residents. Dozens of projects are already moving through this updated system, reflecting the scale of investment expected over the next decade.

At the same time, the Government has focused heavily on making sure there is enough reliable power available as older generators retire. It has introduced new measures to manage the closure of existing power stations and, where needed, step in to keep them running longer. This has already been seen in action with the extension of Torrens Island B until June 2028, a two-year extension on originally planned 2026 closure, as well as efforts to secure new sources of backup power, including hundreds of megawatts of storage and gas generation.

Gas continues to play an important role in Labor’s plan. The Government has supported new gas supply by opening up areas for exploration and investing in geological studies, as well as funding initiatives aimed at bringing more gas into the local market. The idea is to ensure there is enough supply to support both industry and electricity generation during the transition.

Labor has also put a strong focus on cost of living with energy bill relief, concessions for vulnerable customers, and programs designed to lower energy use and costs, such as the rollout of community batteries to help people who cannot install solar access cheaper power as well as the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative which aims to improve the energy efficiency of those living in social housing.

Instead of continuing down the same path, One Nation[iii] wants to make greater use of Australia’s existing energy resources. This includes a strong focus on coal, with plans to advocate for the construction of a new coal-fired power station at Port Augusta. The proposal centres on modern, more efficient coal technology, which the party says could deliver lower-cost electricity.

Nuclear energy is another major part of One Nation’s plan. The party points to South Australia’s large uranium reserves and argues that nuclear power offers a reliable, low-emissions energy source. It supports lifting the national ban on nuclear energy and exploring options to build reactors in the future, including newer, smaller-scale technologies.

More broadly, One Nation is calling for a fully diversified energy mix. This would include coal, gas, nuclear, hydro, wind and solar, along with emerging technologies like geothermal energy. A key part of its approach is removing what it sees as government interference in the market, including subsidies for renewable energy, so that all technologies compete on equal terms.

The party also wants tighter controls on renewable developments, particularly around where they can be built. This includes restrictions on wind and solar projects on farmland, in environmentally sensitive areas, and offshore. It also supports investment in carbon capture and storage to reduce emissions from fossil fuel use.

The difference between these two approaches is clear. Labor is focused on continuing the move towards cleaner energy while managing reliability and supporting households through the transition. One Nation is focused on changing course, putting greater emphasis on traditional energy sources and reducing the role of government policy in shaping the system.

The Liberal Party’s position adds another perspective. Under Ashton Hurn, the Liberals have focused on cost-of-living measures, including support to help renters and small businesses install rooftop solar[iv], and have promised to re-introduce the former Marshall Government’s Home Battery Scheme[v], providing households with up to 50% off the upfront cost of a battery. At the same time, they have signalled they may move away from the state’s 100 per cent renewables target and place more emphasis on gas to help keep power prices down and ensure reliability.[vi]

In the end, this election gives South Australians a clear choice. One path continues the state’s move towards more renewable energy, with a focus on managing the transition carefully. The other looks to change direction, relying more on traditional energy sources and questioning the current path. The result will shape not just electricity prices and reliability in the years ahead, but also South Australia’s role in Australia’s broader energy future.

[i] https://www.sa.alp.org.au/assets/documents/for-the-future.pdf?v=1772507700

[ii] https://asl.org.au/news/media-release/251007-first-south-australia-firm-energy-reliability-mechanism-tender-to-open-in-october

[iii] https://sa.onenation.org.au/energy  

[iv] https://brightersa.com.au/downloads/campaign-2022/policies/Solar-for-Renters.pdf  

[v] https://brightersa.com.au/downloads/campaign-2022/policies/Home-Battery-Scheme.pdf

[vi] https://brightersa.com.au/downloads/campaign-2022/policies/Guaranteeing-a-New-Natural-Gas-Power-Station.pdf