Playford MP John Fulbrook suggests state seat should be renamed

His electorate is named after Liberal royalty, now this freshly-minted Labor MP wants to change the name of his seat.

It shares its name with one of the state’s most recognisable families, but a newly-elected state MP younger than the seat itself wants his electorate renamed.

Playford MP John Fulbrook has approached the South Australian Electoral Commission and made inquiries about whether the electorate can be renamed by the next state election.

The electorate is named after the state’s longest serving premier, Sir Thomas Playford IV, who is also considered to be one of the state’s greatest ever Liberal premiers.

Speaking in parliament last week Mr Fulbrook said constituents had expressed confusion about the Playford name.

Mr Fulbrook said the confusion arose distinguishing between his electorate and the similarly named City of Playford Council.

Playford MP John Fulbrook has suggested renaming his electorate. Picture: Facebook

Beloved former premier Sir Thomas Playford in 1960. Picture: File

“During the state election campaign it became clear the naming of Playford to an electorate located outside the boundaries of the City of Playford created widespread confusion amongst voters,” Mr Fulbrook told state parliament.

“I am continually contacted by constituents living in the City of Playford who mistakenly believe I am their local member of parliament.”

The electorate spans the suburbs of Paralowie, Mawson Lakes, Salisbury Downs, Parafield Gardens and Greenfields.

The state seat and council area do not overlap.

Mr Fulbrook suggested the electorate, “as a starting point”, could be renamed Parafield Gardens.

Speaking to The Messenger, Mr Fulbrook said he wanted to be clear he did not want to remove the Playford name altogether.

“The last thing I want to do is get rid of the name because it’s one we should cherish and are proud of,” he said.

“Playford is in many ways like the Monaco Grand Prix or Wimbledon of seats … I don’t think there is anybody in the Labor camp that would disagree with (Sir Thomas Playford IV) doing great things.

“I did even have a chat to a few Liberals and it’s not something I want to upset anybody with.

“I do not want the name to go, I just want it to go in an area that ends the confusion.”

Queen Elizabeth II in South Australia, during 1963 royal visit with Sir Lloyd Dumas (chairman of Advertiser Newspapers Ltd and chairman of the board of National Gallery of SA) and SA Premier Sir Thomas Playford (back) at the National Gallery, North Terrace. Picture: File

Mr Fulbrook suggested the electorate could be moved to within the City of Playford or to the Adelaide Hills where Sir Thomas Playford IV lived.

The Playford electorate was formed in 1969 and first contested the following year.

It has been a “very safe” Labor seat since it was first contested.

Mr Fulbrook retained the electorate for Labor but suffered a 2.7 per cent swing towards Liberal candidate Hemant Dave at the March state election.

There was a minor redistribution of constituents between the 2018 and 2022 state elections, and redistributions have taken place several times since 1969.