Sarah Game dumps top candidate, reveals plan to axe councils

Political candidate Henry Davis says he was only made aware he had been axed by Game when a journalist called him for comment, as his former party unveils a major election policy.

Sarah Game and Henry Davis in August during the launch of the new Fair Go For Australians political party. Picture: Supplied

Sarah Game has revealed her new political party’s first major policy is to abolish local government while sensationally dumping Adelaide City councillor Henry Davis as her upper house candidate.

The former One Nation politician announced candidate Jake Hall-Evans would no longer contest the seat of Colton, but instead replace Mr Davis as the legislative candidate in her Fair Go For Australians party.

Ms Game told The Advertiser Mr Davis was no longer a party member, but when contacted Mr Davis said he was unaware of the upper house decision.

“I had already accepted another opportunity and was preparing to move on, but I was surprised to receive a call from The Advertiser announcing the changes before anyone from the party spoke with me,” Mr Davis said in a statement.

“That is not how professional organisations communicate.”

Mr Davis, who quit the Liberal Party after nearly 20 years and joined Ms Game in August when she launched Fair Go, said Saturday’s budget meeting had made him doubt whether the party could run a statewide campaign due to “extremely limited resources”.

“My focus is now on contributing within an organisation that has the structure, professionalism and capability to deliver real outcomes for South Australians,” he said.

Ms Game said she “really wanted to make it work” with Mr Davis – a lawyer and former Royal Australian Airforce member – but ultimately felt Mr Hall-Evans was better suited.

“He (Mr Davis) is courageous and has energy, but that’s not all that’s needed,” she said.

Sarah Game. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Jake Hall-Evans. Picture: Supplied.

“At the end of the day, I felt Jake was the person I needed with me, not only in terms of working together, but representing the people of South Australia best.”

The split came as Ms Game announced her party’s first major policy – abolishing local government entirely, with frontline services to be absorbed by the state government.

“I am acutely aware of the wastage at council level,” Ms Game said, adding she had drafted Local Government Act amendments but “clearly we need to take more decisive steps”.

“Under our policy, obviously all frontline service delivery will remain, to be absorbed by state government. We can expect more from the workers we already have and our elected members in our electorates.”

Mr Hall-Evans, a father of two and small business owner, said SA did not need three levels of government for under two million taxpayers.

“Fair Go believe that the state government can absorb all the services that local governments provide while saving households and businesses money and improving service delivery,” he said.

“Fair Go has also heard the community’s frustration with soaring council rates that outpace CPI, dubious election results with low election participation rates, poor behaviour and misconduct, poor community engagement and consultation.”

Originally published as Sarah Game dumps top candidate, reveals plan to axe councils