Lauren Novak: Liberal Party has crucial win in electoral boundaries battle — but can they win the election war?

THE Liberal Party had a crucial strategic win today but it doesn’t guarantee them victory at the statewide election a year from now, writes Lauren Novak.

• Labor’s electoral boundaries challenge dismissed
• How the Electoral Commission reshaped the state’s political map
• Why the Labor Party claims the boundaries decision was unfair
• See the redrawn maps for all 47 South Australian seats

THE Liberal Party had a crucial strategic win today but it doesn’t guarantee them victory at the statewide election a year from now.

Five of the state’s top judges this morning rejected a bid by Labor to reconsider the state’s electoral boundaries — again — after a radical new map was revealed late last year.

That new arrangement, designed by the Electoral District Boundaries Commission, shifted four seats notionally into the Liberalcolumn at the next poll.

Labor exercised its right to appeal against the decision, arguing the redraw meant some voters would have more influence than others due to uneven numbers of electors across seats.

But it was put back in its box by the Full Bench of the Supreme Court this morning, which unanimously dismissed the appeal.

Labor has one last roll of the dice — it can seek leave to appeal to the High Court.

However, such a resounding rejection at this stage makes that a riskier decision.

It would also be a costly avenue and would prolong uncertainty over the eventual boundaries of electorates as we draw ever closer to polling day on March 17 next year.

Labor strategists will take the next few days to assess their options, although the appeal is still described as a “live option”.

If the party decides to lay down its sword, then the battle lines will be set in stone and both Labor and the Liberals will know where they stand.

Then the real fight can begin in earnest.