SA Election 2018: SA Best announces Morialta candidate James Sadler to take on Liberal education spokesman John Gardner

SA BEST has turned to a former teacher to take down Liberal education spokesman John Gardner in his seat of Morialta.

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SA Best has turned to an education consultant and former teacher to take down Liberal education spokesman John Gardner in his seat of Morialta.

James Sadler, a high school teacher turned digital education consultant from Uraidla, will take on Mr Gardner in Morialta in the State Election.

Hoping to kick political goals: SA Best leader Nick Xenophon (R) announces James Sadler as candidate for the seat of Morialta. Picture: Matt Turner

Morialta is among a swag of Adelaide Hills seats where Mr Xenophon’s popularity is highest, and it is considered by the Liberal Party to be at real risk of falling to SA Best.

SA Best leader Nick Xenophon has heavily criticised the Government on its education credentials and South Australia’s poor NAPLAN results.

He will turn to Mr Sadler to write most of the party’s education policies.

“Our NAPLAN results are among the worst in the nation. The focus needs to be brought back to learning by improving the quality of teaching,” Mr Xenophon said.

Mr Sadler began his candidacy by pledging $1.5 million to upgrade Eastern United’s soccer ground at Athelstone if SA Best formed Government.

It takes SA Best’s candidate tally to 27, just 36 days from March 17’s state election.