Liberals face losing once-safe seat of Flinders to ‘credible independent candidate

A once-safe Liberal stronghold faces an unprecedented threat as an independent candidate emerges to challenge the incumbent MP.

Member for Flinders Sam Telfer at Parliament House. Senior Liberal Party sources have claimed he is at risk of losing his once-safe seat the next election. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The state Liberals’ election woes don’t show any sign of slowing down as senior party sources say a once-safe seat may be set to fall into the hands of a community-backed independent.

The seat of Flinders, encompassing the bulk of the Eyre Peninsula and West Coast, has been a safe Liberal seat since the 1990s, and is currently held by first-term MP and Shadow Treasurer Sam Telfer.

Under the current polling, it is one of the three seats the opposition are expected to retain in what could turn into the biggest wipe-out in South Australian history.

But the introduction of “credible independent” Meghan Petherick into the mix has blown the race wide open.

Ms Petherick is a Port Lincoln businesswoman who runs Australian Southern Exporters and The Prawn Store, two long-standing family businesses.

Her father, Graham Tapley, is a well respected and liked pilot and businessman, according to sources familiar with the region.

A senior Liberal source said there was “genuine concern” that Mr Telfer could lose his seat come March’s state election.

Member for Flinders Sam Telfer. Picture: Arj Ganesan

“Sam’s probably been a pretty lazy member, and hasn’t really used his shadow portfolio to elevate his profile either statewide or within his electorate,” they said.

The source also revealed that the Tapley family had been prominent donors and supporters of the Liberal Party.

Ms Petherick said that her campaign was built around sustainability in the seafood and farming sectors and stronger investment in rail and transport networks to connect the Eyre Peninsula.

“I’m not a career politician,” she said.

Meghan Petherick, independent candidate for Flinders at the 2026 state election. Picture: Supplied

“I’m a working mum who understands how regional life really runs. I’ve lived the life that most politicians talk about, and it’s time our region had a voice that truly understands it.”

The 38-year-old mother of two said her passion for primary industry, which “underpins” Port Lincoln, had contributed to her decision to run.

“I would say my passion (for primary industry) exceeds what’s currently being presented at the moment,” she told The Advertiser.

Mr Telfer said it is a “true privilege” to serve as member for Flinders.

“I am proud to have been a strong advocate for our communities throughout my term, on key issues for our region such as road funding, health system investment, and water infrastructure investment right across our region,” he said.

“Elections are the opportunity for communities to decide who they want to be their representative in Parliament, and I would be incredibly proud to continue as Member for Flinders and will continue to work hard every day for them.”

Mr Telfer faced a stiff challenge for Flinders at the 2022 election, when independent candidate Liz Habermann secured 47 per cent of the two candidate preferred vote.

Previous member Peter Treloar had enjoyed one of the largest majorities in the state during his time in office, never slipping below 76 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote.

Originally published as Liberals face losing once-safe seat of Flinders to ‘credible independent candidate