Premier Peter Malinauskas stokes Liberal leadership tension amid final pitches for crucial Dunstan by-election

Premier Peter Malinauskas is trying to inflame Liberal leadership tension amid final pitches and new political rows ahead of today’s crucial by-election to replace his predecessor, Steven Marshall.

Premier Peter Malinauskas is trying to inflame Liberal leadership tension amid final pitches and new political rows erupted ahead of today’s crucial by-election to replace his predecessor, Steven Marshall.

Almost 27,000 voters in the inner eastern suburbs seat of Dunstan, go to the polls after one of the most bitter campaigns in memory, triggered when Mr Marshall quit politics in February.

Labor’s Cressida O’Hanlon, 51, is vying for political history with a historic win against Liberal opponent lawyer Anna Finizio, 37, both former political staffers, for the state’s most marginal electorate.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Labor Candidate for Dunstan Cressida O'Hanlon ahead of Saturday’s by-election in Norwood. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

In an earlier interview with The Advertiser, Mr Malinauskas asked Dunstan voters to choose between a “divided opposition” facing speculation about David Speirs’ leadership and a “united government” with a secure leader.

He argued it was undeniable that South Australia “has an extraordinary degree of momentum”, illustrated by now having the nation’s lowest unemployment rate for the first time in the state’s history.

Dr Finizio has been embroiled in controversy about her background. Picture Dean Martin

“Ultimately, the people of Dunstan have a choice before them,” he said.

“They can choose a united government with a leader whose leadership is not under threat, versus what we’ve seen this week with the shemozzle with … a divided opposition with a leader who’s had speculation about his leadership.

“But most importantly, a united government with a plan and policy for the future of our state versus a divided opposition with no plan and policy at all – by their own admission.”

Mr Speirs, who has been forced to defend his leadership, countered there was “significant dissatisfaction with the Malinauskas Labor Government at present”.

“The Dunstan by-election gives locals an opportunity to send a powerful signal that the Premier and his team must end the circuses and focus on what South Australians believe are the real priorities,” he said.

Cressida O'Hanlon has also faced controversy over links to her husband’s embattled business. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“That includes sorting out our stricken health system, fixing ramping like Peter Malinauskas promised and tackling the cost of living crisis.”

If Labor secure victory, on the back of an expected large chunk of Greens party preferences, it would be the first time in more than 116 years an SA government candidate has won an opposition seat at a state by-election.

Strategists on both sides said a result was on a knife-edge, and unlikely to emerge tonight as the SA Electoral Commission will not count postal and early votes – more than a quarter of all voters – until Monday.

Senior Labor and Liberal Party sources said electoral reform will be “high on the list” to “clean up” Electoral laws after similar changes failed during Mr Marshall’s administration.

Both candidates, who have been embroiled in controversies about their backgrounds, on Friday launched final pitches as their leaders exchanged barbs.

Dr Anna Finizio at pre-polling on the final day before Dunstan by-election, with Opposition Leader David Spears and MP Ashton Hurn. Picture Dean Martin

A last minute drama also erupted last night after Labor complaints included criticising Liberal “GP tax” material.

Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry is investigating but in an unprecedented social media post, his officials asked the Liberals to “contact us”.

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis accused the Opposition less than an hour later of being in “hiding”.

A Liberal spokesman said it had “received an enquiry from ECSA and is responding appropriately”.

An ECSA spokeswoman said it was “investigating a complaint and is reaching out to the owner of the social media account to discuss” but refused further comment.

Mr Marshall, 56, held the electorate, named after former Labor Premier Don Dunstan, with a 0.5 per cent margin, after beating businesswoman Ms O’Hanlon, a mother of four, by 260 votes in 2022.

Premier Peter Malinauskas and Labor Candidate for Dunstan Cressida O'Hanlon media conference ahead of tomorrow's by-election in Norwood. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

More than 7000 voters have already cast their ballot from the total 26,492 registered electors, latest SA Electoral Commission figures show.

Neither side has conducted opinion polling during the six week campaign because of a $94,482 seat spending cap that has instead been spent on “engagement”.

Labor sources, who said they had still put their chances of winning at “one in three” after “throwing the kitchen sink” at the seat while Liberal officials hoped for a narrow win.

Both warned the Greens vote was unpredictable.

Originally published as Premier Peter Malinauskas stokes Liberal leadership tension amid final pitches for crucial Dunstan by-election