Premier Peter Malinauskas denies the victorious Labor party was a Covid superspreader event

Hundreds of maskless supporters were seen celebrating at the Labor election victory party last Saturday night, but the Premier denies it was a superspreader event.

New Premier Peter Malinauskas has downplayed accusations that his victory party at the Adelaide Oval last weekend was a superspreader event driven by maskless attendees.

Mr Malinauskas declared victory to hundreds of party faithful just after 9pm last Saturday night after a landslide election win over the Liberals.

Since then, dozens of people have tested positive for Covid-19 or been placed into quarantine as a close contact after the celebrations for the stunning victory went on in the Ian McLachlan Room, in the Oval’s Western stand.

Those who have since tested positive include MPs, staffers, journalists and guests.

Authorities do not track how many cases are recorded at particular venues, and SA Health has not publicly named the Oval as a high risk exposure site. Under state law, masks are mandatory in public venues unless a person is consuming food or drink.

Under SA Health rules approved for the Stadium Management Authority, which manages the Oval, private function guests on non-game days must QR code into their function room and can then remove their masks.

Supporters at the party to celebrate Labor’s election victory at Adelaide Oval on March 19. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

At a press conference on Friday, Mr Malinauskas downplayed fears the party had turned into a “superspreader” event, a phrase health chiefs use to describe large numbers of cases at a single event. He said mask rules should be followed by all.

“What I advocate for as you would appreciate is that rules are followed,” he said. “And it’s my expectation that everyone follows those rules.

“(It) doesn’t matter if you’re the premier; doesn’t matter if you’re a member of parliament, doesn’t matter if you’re the police commissioner.

“In terms of the super spreading question. No, I’m not concerned about that.

“But naturally when you have lots of events, and there are 100-80,000 plus Covid people who have washed through the South Australian system, you have Covid cases.”

A government spokesman denied two of the four cabinet ministers who missed Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony had contracted Covid from the function.

The other two were not at the party and already in isolation. By Friday, no Oval staff had tested positive.

Supporters embrace new Premier Peter Malinauskas at his election party. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Peter Malinauskas addresses the crowd on March 19. Picture: Tricia Watkinson