Labor takes last spot in Upper House vote count, Dignity Party’s Kelly Vincent and Conservative Rob Brokenshire fall short

FORMER Dignity MP Kelly Vincent says her party will spend time regrouping and considering its next move after losing her as its only representative in State Parliament.

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FORMER Dignity MP Kelly Vincent says her party will spend time regrouping and considering its next move after losing her as its only representative in State Parliament.

Ms Vincent was elected in 2010 on an eight-year term with 1.2 per cent of the vote and fell short of re-election under a new system that eliminated party preference tickets.

The final Upper House vote count on Monday confirmed Labor won the last in doubt spot from the election, leaving Ms Vincent and Conservative Rob Brokenshire unseated.

The other Conservative MP, Dennis Hood, defected to the Liberals after the election, leaving former Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi’s breakaway party with no state MPs.

The Upper House crossbench now features two newly-elected SA Best MPs in Connie Bonaros and Frank Pangallo, two Greens and the continuing independent John Darley.

Brokenshire also fell short of the mark.

The Government needs support from Labor or three crossbenchers to pass laws.

Ms Vincent received widespread praise from party rivals in wake of the count. They said her influence in Parliament had put disability issues at the front of state policy making.

Dignity MP Kelly Vincent after the Legislative Council election results were announced. Picture: AAP / Morgan Sette

Ms Vincent said the “immediate plan is to get together and regroup and strategise” as the Dignity Party considers its future.

“My immediate plans are to catch up on some sleep, to spend some time with my partner and my family and remind them what I look like,” she said. “Then from there, to regroup a bit and see what my options are. I can’t comment on exactly how it will look right now, but ... my passions haven’t changed.”

Ms Bonaros said she and Mr Pangallo would seek to reach “consensus” views on “day-to-day matters”, but SA Best had processes and committees for “overall” positions.

“(Former senator) Nick Xenophon is still part of that process now,” Ms Bonaros said. “I think, after 20 years, we can all acknowledge that Nick has been in the public eye for a very long time and he deserves a break. We’re gutted that he wasn’t elected.

“When it comes to that decision-making process, nothing has changed. We will continue to work with Nick on matters that arise for the party.”

Mr Pangallo said he was “willing to talk” to the Government about its agenda, despite SA Best having opposed both rate capping and shop trading reform during the campaign.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said he was in discussions with the new Upper House crossbench.

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