SA Election 2018: Former acting Whyalla mayor Tom Antonio announced as SA Best candidate for Giles

NICK Xenophon has continued his raid on local government by announcing former Whyalla deputy mayor Tom Antonio will take on Labor’s Eddie Hughes in Giles.

NICK Xenophon has continued his raid on local government by announcing former Whyalla deputy mayor Tom Antonio will take on Labor’s Eddie Hughes in Giles.

Mr Antonio has long been speculated as a potential SA Best candidate and will be formally announced at a press conference on Wednesday morning.

Mr Xenophon heralded Mr Antonio — a former acting mayor during the Arrium administration — as the “people’s choice and the people’s champion”.

He is a true fighter for his community and the region,” he said.

“At last the voters of Giles will have a real choice from the political centre after being taken for granted by the major parties.”

SA Best candidate Tom Antonio. Picture: Tom Huntley

Giles MP Eddie Hughes. Photo Tom Huntley

Mr Hughes has held Giles, a traditionally safe Labor seat, since the 2014 election.

He’s the second Labor MP who will have to face off against a mayor, after Port Adelaide Mayor Gary Johanson was confirmed as SA Best’s Port Adelaide candidate. He will take on Education Minister Susan Close.

SA Best has now announced 16 candidates.

Mr Antonio said Whyalla had been forgotten by the Government.

“My focus is all about championing the needs of Giles, whether it’s jobs, power prices, health, education, aged care, substance abuse, roads and infrastructure to name but a few,” he said.