Labor powerbroker Don Farrell says Premier Peter Malinuakas factored into Labor’s federal election performance in SA

An SA Labor powerbroker says the party’s historic victory and Adelaide electorate monopoly shows the Mali factor is real.

Labor powerbroker Don Farrell (right) looks on as Labor's Claire Clutterham speaks about her win for Sturt in the federal election, with SA Premier Peter Malinauskas and Senator Marielle Smith. Picture: Mark Brake

Labor powerbroker Don Farrell says the star power of SA premier Peter Malinauskas played a role in Australia’s huge election night swing.

The Trade Minister joined Mr Malinauskas on Sunday as Labor basked in the glory of Saturday’s historic victory.

Mr Malinauskas was “one of the reasons” why Mr Farrell believed Labor polled so well.

“He’s a man who is very much in touch with the South Australian community, and I think is very well regarded,” Senator Farrell said.

The South Australian senator also said Australians had punished the Greens party over decisions to block “sensible” housing plans.

He said the Greens lost seats due to blocking “sensible, necessary policies, in respect of housing, (they) delayed investment in housing for young people, for renters”.

There was a slight swing to the Greens in SA.

While billionaire Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots spent “an obscene amount of money on this election” campaign that could have been spent elsewhere, Senator Farrell said.

Trumpet of Patriots failed to win a lower house seat.

Senator Farrell was joined in College Park on Sunday by Mr Malinauskas and Senator Marielle Smith to praise new party rock star Claire Clutterham for winning Labor the seat of Sturt for the first time in 53 years.

Labor powerbroker Don Farrell says the star power of SA premier Peter Malinauskas played a role in Australia’s huge election night swing. Picture: Mark Brake

He attended St Therese Primary School in Colonel Light Gardens with Ms Clutterham’s father, Mike, and said that was when the Labor Party last won the seat of Sturt. “This time last week I was at the Vatican,” he said. “I said a little prayer for Prime Minister Albanese and obviously my wish has come true.”

Mr Malinauskas named the Whyalla steelworks and mine bailout as a top priority in working with the new federal government as he claimed South Australians voted against “the culture wars”.

Copper mining was also important to push along plus the amalgamation of the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia, he said.

He voiced relief that the Liberal plan to slash overseas student numbers would not be happening now it had lost its chance to govern Australia, saying this would be “catastrophic for their revenue”.

Mr Malinauskas believed the election result rested with Australian people not having “an appetite to be divided up in the culture wars; they want to see their leaders bring people together”. “Now we have to get on with the job. Complacency is death,” he said.

Mr Malinauskas believed the Prime Minister would react similarly saying: “I know Anthony Albanese, and I can’t see this going to his head.”