Black by-election 2024: Labor’s Alex Dighton hit with parent’s fury over Sacred Heart College leave during ‘critical exam time’

Labor’s recruit fighting in the Black by-election is embroiled in a new row amid parental complaints about campaigning during ‘critical exam time’ at one of Adelaide’s top colleges.

Labor's candidate Alex Dighton with wife Claire and son Albie, then 3. Picture: Supplied

Labor’s recruit fighting in the Black by-election is embroiled in a new row amid parental complaints about campaigning and data confidentiality at one of Adelaide’s top colleges.

Sacred Heart College’s deputy principal Alex Dighton, 46, is attempting to win the southwestern suburban seat after Liberal MP David Speirs quit parliament.

Liberal candidate, Holdfast Bay mayor Amanda Wilson, 53 – not a Black resident – is also campaigning at this Saturday’s poll due a day after Mr Speirs’ first scheduled court appearance on drug supplying charges.

But Mr Dighton, a father-of-one of Hallett Cove who is on unpaid leave, is under renewed fire amid parent claims he campaigned during “critical exam time”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas with Labor's candidate for Black, Alex Dighton on October 8. Picture: Kelly Barnes

The teacher, who secured a 6.5 per cent swing against Mr Speirs, 39, at the 2022 state election, is also facing parent questions about school data use.

Mr Dighton, a teacher for more than 15 years including several college leadership roles, is not accused of wrongdoing.

During the last state campaign, he was questioned over how he came to send election material to old scholars and households linked to the Somerton Park college.

The latest complaint, circulated among the school community, detailed parent concerns about Mr Dighton’s “lobbying for votes”.

The leaked letter asked for college data confidentiality assurances and Mr Dighton’s leave from October 21.

“While many parents are concerned about the absence of College leadership during the critical exam period, I am particularly troubled by reports that Mr Dighton attended a press conference with state government ministers during a period in which he was not yet on leave,” they wrote.

Mr Dighton is not accused of any wrongdoing. Picture: Kelly Barnes

They asked how the “unexpected leave”, combined with the Principal already being away, would allow for critical exam tasks being met.

The writer, who requested they not to be named, said a group of parents had similar concerns but declined further comment.

Mr Dighton, who needs a 2.8 per cent swing or 1306 votes to win among 26,550 voters, did not return calls.

But Labor state secretary Aemon Bourke said: “These baseless claims are simply false.

“The SA Liberals tried this smear last time but failed to provide any evidence of wrongdoing, because there isn’t any.

“Alex Dighton is currently on unpaid leave from Sacred Heart College, where he is a dedicated Deputy Principal and the shambolic SA Liberals are left rolling out stale smears with no substance.”

Sacred Heart principal Daniel Lynch, whose college charges Year 12 students $11,532 annually, defended Mr Dighton as “an outstanding leader and a person of great integrity”.

“Under no circumstances has Alex ever accessed college data, other than to fulfil his critical duties,” he said.

“Alex is currently on approved leave from the college, so I would encourage you to contact him directly if you require further details.”

Liberal spokesman, Ben Hood, said it “sounds like there are serious questions still to answer on this subject”.

An Advertiser exit poll on Tuesday indicated a knife-edge result amid Labor fears of a voter backlash against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about cost of living pressures.