Labor and Liberal candidates reveal their promises for the SA seat of Black by-election

Campaigning is heating up with big promises in the David Speirs’ controversial seat of Black, with voting for a new MP opening in a week.

Belinda Willis

2 min read

November 2, 2024 - 7:00PM

City of Holdfast mayor Amanda Wilson is the new Liberal candidate for seat of Black, pictured with David Speirs when he was the local MP. Picture: Instagram

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Seaside pool promises, national park proclamations and railway station campaigning mark the countdown to voting in the seat controversially vacated by former Opposition Leader David Speirs.

Liberal candidate and current Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson was this week backed by an $11m promise that her party will bring the Marion Council’s plan for a Hallett Cove Coastal Pool to life if team Tarzia is elected in 2026.

It capped off a big week for former lawyer Ms Wilson in the southern suburbs electorate of Black, who replied with a confident “yes” when asked whether she would win the seat.

She claimed the electorate was positive about Mr Speirs former environmental contributions, concerned about cost of living and housing, and “excited” about the pool announcement.

Concept plans for the Hallett Cove Seaside Pool

Mr Speirs resigned from state parliament earlier this month after being arrested at Berri in the Riverland on September 26 and then being charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance.

The Liberal Party previously delivered funds for the seaside pool concept plans and community consultation when it was in power with Steven Marshall at the helm, the resulting work finding some neighbours concerned about parking but most welcoming the idea.

Liberal Leader Vincent Tarzia also offered the electorate a raft of other local promises including new drinking fountains at Cove Football Club soccer precinct.

“(Other promises include) a new work vehicle and watering system for the volunteers at Glenthorne National Park, proclaiming the Field River Valley as a national park, improvements to the Trott Park Men’s shed and funding towards stage one of the Kingston Park Reserve master plan,” he said.

Labor’s candidate, teacher and vice principal at Sacred Heart College Alex Dighton, faces a tough battle on the November 16 polling day with the Liberals starting with a daunting margin.

Mr Dighton tried to win Black from Mr Speirs at the last election and gained 47.3 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Speirs’ 52.7 per cent.

Premier Peter Malinauskas with Labor's candidate for Black, Alex Dighton, at the Majors Road upgrade. Picture: Kelly Barnes

He said he advocated for the Majors Road connector and redevelopment of the Cove Sports Complex when he took on Mr Speirs at the time.

“We’ve already secured a $2 million upgrade of the Marino Railway Station which will be delivered next year, and I’m looking forward to further announcements with the Premier in the campaign ahead,” Mr Dighton said.

Mr Dighton has about one week to get those announcements made.

Early voting opens on November 11 in the electorate that covers Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park, Trott Park, Marino, Seacliff Park, Seaview Downs, Kingston Park, Seacliff and parts of South Brighton.

The ballot draw on Friday places Australian Family Party candidate Jonathan Parkin at the top of the voting card, followed by Ms Wilson, Mr Dighton and then the Greens candidate Sarah Luscombe.

City of Holdfast mayor Amanda Wilson is the Liberal candidate for seat of Black, pictured with Liberal Leader Vincent Tarzia at the Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club. Picture: Brett Hartwig