Hello! This tracker is all about the policies each party/candidate has announced for the 2026 State Election! It's meant to both help me keep track of them all for my eventual election guide and provide an easy way to see what different parties are promising over time. To note, I will only include policies with an actionable idea within them, none of this "we will lower the cost of living" stuff. Everyone wants to do that, tell us how.
Labor
$500mil Government Guarantee Fund for CBD Developments: The policy would see the government serve as the guarantor for up to 50% of apartments in CBD developments. Specifically, the government would step in if apartments were unsold by developers due to a lack of market interest, with the government buying the apartments for a 10% discount from the market rate. Developers would be required to pay a $50,000 fee to be established under the guarantee and would pay an annual fee of 1% should they call in the guarantee. The government has stated that any one project's guarantee will be capped at $30m.
$200mil Investment into Mt Barker: This policy would see a Labor government spend around $200mil on Mt Barker's infrastructure. This includes a $96mil development of Mt Barker High School, plans to purchase land for a second high school in the region, a 24/7 pharmacy, a $25.5mil TAFE Trades workshop, and an $80mil upgrade to Adelaide Rd, including adding traffic lights and a turning lane to the Adelade Rd and Hawthorn Rd intersection.
IVF Rebate: A Labor government would provide $4,000 worth of rebates to families and women undertaking IVF treatments in the state. These rebates would cover two cycles of IVF, $2,000 per, and would also include a $250 pre-IVF fertility testing rebate.
Three Strike Crime Rule: The Labor government's change would see offenders aged 14 or older, who had committed 3 serious crimes, labelled as a 'recidivist young offender' and have a presumption against bail put against them.
Build 3 Technical Colleges for $150mil: Labor has announced that it will build 3 new technical colleges at a price of $150mil in total should it win the 2026 election. 2 will be built within Metro Adelaide while the third is slated for Regional SA.
'Earn While They Learn' Teaching Pathway: Labor has announced that it will establish an 'earn while they learn" pathway for teaching students at university. This pathway will allow teaching students to begin working in education from the start of their degree, working as part-time support staff for the first two years and as teachers with a teaching mentor from the 3rd year onwards.
Create 1300 new aged care beds: Labor has announced that it will seek to transform the current Women's and Children's Hospital into an aged care precinct with over 600 beds. It will also aim to establish a $250 interest-free loan fund for aged care providers to build 750 beds.
Extend the Metrocard Zone to Murray Bridge: Labor has announced it will extend the Metrocard Zone to Murray Bridge while also increasing bus routes to Mount Barker, adding 15 weekday and 10 weekend services.
Build 3 new mental health assessment units ($96mil): Labor will build 3 new mental health assessment units at the Royal Adelaide, Lyell McEwin, and Noarlunga Hospitals. The first, built at the RAH, is expected to cost $32mil, with the next two likely costing similar.
Local School Upgrades: Labor has promised to spend $10mil to build Autism inclusive school facilities such as inclusive classrooms/playgrounds and sensory areas. They have also promised to spend $8mil building a new hall for Brighton Primary school, $3.4mil modernising Unley Primary school, and $10mil upgrading Sheidow Park school.
Liberal
50c Public Transport: The Liberal Party have promised 50c public transport fares and an Adelaide Metro Bus service from the city to Murray Bridge as part of a $240m plan to boost commuter numbers and tackle the cost of living crisis.
Police Attraction and Retention Plan: This plan would see multiple, $20,000 incentives established to both entice new and old officers into the South Australian police force. The incentives would include a $20,000 recruitment bonus for experienced interstate/overseas police officers to move and work in SA, a $20,000 bonus for police officers who've left the force in the past 4 years to return, and $20,000 off HECS debts for new police recruits. There is also another $20,000 bonus on offer for police officers with 20+ years of servce. On top of this, the Liberals have promised a $560,000 investment to the police mental health framework.
Round the Regions SANFL: Liberal candidate for Mount Gambier, Lamorna Alexander, has begun pushing for SANFL games to be played in the regions. While the SE Voice's account singles out Mt Gambier specifically, Alexander has said her discussions with the SANFL are around a "Round the Regions concept", which would see an entire SANFL round played in regional centres. Alexander has made the comparison to Gather Round, stating that SANFL games could bring considerable tourism to SA's regions.
$40mil Plan to Build 4,000 Pre-Fabricated Homes: This new policy would see the party pledge $40million towards the production of 4,000 pre-fabricated/modular homes in the state by 2032. The party claims that the homes can be built faster than other types of construction, and as such could be a solution towards the state's housing crisis.
One Strike Bail Rule: The Liberals have announced a new crime policy, which would include a $40mil fund for early intervention/rehabilitation programs, and a new 'one strike' rule for people who commit crimes while on bail. The 'one strike' rule has been described as a "tough new break your bail, go to jail legislation" which would extend further than the Malinauskas Labor government's proposed 3 strike changes.
Abolish Stamp Duty: The party has proposed a plan to abolish stamp duties by 2041, and in the short term adjust the brackets for stamp duty within the next 5 years. As noted by The Advertiser, Stamp Duty brings in "$1.6billion each year" to the state. The Liberals have stated no new tax, such as a land tax, would be added to replace it, instead looking towards the economy growing through South Australians having more money in their pockets.
Women's and Children's Hospital Policy: A Liberal government would keep the current Women's and Children's Hospital site as a health precinct, as opposed to current plans for it to be developed into real estate. The policy would see at least 300 beds kept in the precinct, likely to be used as a 'transition facility' for patients no longer in need of acute care.
Liberal Racial Vilification Act Policy: A Liberal government intends to strengthen the Summary Offences & Racial Vilification Acts, increasing the penalty for racial vilification from 3 to 5 years and adding in a new anti-racial vilification offence. It would also look to outlaw slogans such as “globalise the Intifada” and “from the River to the Sea”.
$300mil increase in funding for SA's roads: The Liberals have announced that they will increase current funding for SA's roads by $300mil, leaving the total investment for SA's roads at $1bn, with funds specifically focusing on road maintenance.
$120mil investment into school upgrades/maintenance: The Liberals have announced that they will spend $120mil on upgrading and maintaining schools across SA, with the money intended to provide new facilities such as playgrounds and fix infrastructure needs.
$124mil investment into Mt Barker/Hill's roads: The Liberal party has announced $124mil worth of upgrades for roads around Mt Barker and in the Hills. This includes a $20mil upgrade to the Flaxley Rd-Hurling Dr intersection, an $80mil upgrade to the Adelaide Rd-Hawthorn Rd intersection, expanding Keoride to Brukunga, Dawesley, Meadows, Macclesfield, & Echunga, adding a third lane to the South Eastern Freeway between Hahndorf and Bridgewater, and establishing a Park and Ride at Verdun.
Stamp Duty Concession: The Liberal Party will provide a $15,000 concession on Stamp Duty for South Australian's over 55 who are downsizing into a home worth less than $1.2mil.
Local Community upgrades: The Liberal Party will provide $1mil to redevelop Sturt Bowling Club, $2.5mil to develop Kensington's Regal Theatre, $1.25mil to build safety upgrades at the Whispering Wall, and build 100 additional car parks at Paradise Park'n'Ride.
Greens
$759mil City Tram Extension: The policy focuses on extending the city tram network to the inner suburbs of North Adelaide and Norwood, with the potential of an extension to Prospect. The SA Greens have claimed the new plan would cost ~$759m, including a $60m upgrade to the King William Rd Bridge over the River Torrens.
In detail, the policy would see the trams extending beyond the river into North Adelaide, gaining stops at Adelaide Oval, the old Women's and Children's Hospital, Archer Street, and the Piccadilly Cinema. Adelaide's free tram zone would also extend into North Adelaide. Meanwhile, in Norwood, 5 new tram stops would be created. One on the corner of Rundle Rd and East Tce, one at Rundle St in Kent Town, one at Sydenham St, Norwood Oval, and at Norwood Place. The Greens have also suggested that the North Adelaide tram would be phase 1 of an expansion into Prospect, and that SA buy 12 new trams to bring wait times down to 10 minutes on all routes.
$6.7bn Housing Policy: This includes building 20,000 public homes over 4 years, clearing out the public housing maintenance backlog, long-term rent caps, and establishing a commissioner for the protection of tenant rights. Perhaps the most significant part of the policy set would see the SA Housing Trust re-established as a "publicly owned builder" able to both construct new public homes and maintain current ones, rather than utilising private contractors.
As mentioned, their policies also included a new commissioner. This commissioner, described as the Commissioner for Rental Tenancies, would have powers and a role based on a similar model in Victoria. The Commissioner would be able to investigate renters' rights infringements and enact penalties if infringements were found at rental properties.
Finally, Robb Simms MLC has stated that the policy set would also include long-term rent caps. These rent caps would see new laws established, restricting rent increases to the CPI and only allowing them to occur once every two years.
$382mil Plan for Climate, Energy, and the Environment: The plan includes a plan to phase out gas power/appliances, end subsidies for businesses like Santos, and stop all gas exploration permits. Other components of the policy include the potential to return the Energy Trust of South Australia to public ownership, creating a resource efficency fund, $200 million dollars to protect marine environments and address the algal bloom, and support for the Adelaide Park Lands and Mt Lofty Ranges to become UNESCO World Heritage listed sites. Finally, the Greens would also plan to legislate a net-zero target of 2035, under their latest policies.
Stating that households could save up to $500 a year from the electrification of their household appliances, the Greens have noted that the phasing out of gas appliances will see households incentivised to electrify and join virtual power plants. This would be done through a Sustainable Household Fund, which would provide homeowners and landlords with low-interest loans to electrify their appliances.
Looking to companies like Santos, the Greens would also work to introduce pathways to transition gas workers from their current jobs to jobs paying equal amounts. The Greens have also stated that they would seek to end the sponsorship of events like the Tour Down Under by Santos.
End Pokie Machines in Pubs by 2030: The plan includes a 65% flat tax rate on all Pokie machines alongside the Betting Operations Tax being raised to 30%.
In addition, the party has stated that it seeks to create a $400mil transition fund for venues which would look to invest and encourage music and events within them, helping to offset lost revenue. Finally the party has said that it will seek to establish an independent panel and commission which will enact the aforementioned taxes and develop a Pokies buyback scheme, as well as enact a moratorium on new machines.
- End public school fees and introduce free public school meals: The Greens have announced that they will seek to end current public school fees, such as materials and subject fees (to the cost of $240mil). They also seek to introduce free and universal breakfast and lunch programs at every state primary and secondary school.
One Nation
Ban the Burning of the Australian Flag: One Nation has announced that, if elected, it will make the burning of any Australian or South Australian flag a crime punishable by fine.
Nationals
Remove Third-Storey restrictions in Metro Adelaide: The Nationals have announced that they would remove all third-storey development restrictions across Metro Adelaide, allowing three-storey housing developments to be built across the city.
'Royalties for Regions' fund: The Nationals have announced that they would provide 30% of mining royalties for regional towns to be used to fund expanding 'enabling' housing infrastructure such as roads, pipes, and supply lines. This fund would be available for 10 years.
Phase out of Pokies across SA: The Nationals have announced that they will seek to eliminate pokies across the state through a mandatory government buyback scheme which would see 20% of pokies removed every year until pokies only remained at the Adelaide Casino.
SA Socialists
Public Transport Overhaul (Free Public Transport + Turn Up and Go Model): The SA Socialists have revealed a number of public transport policies they will take into the 2026 South Australian state election. These include: making all Adelaide Metro services free, waiving all currently outstanding fines for travelling without a valid ticket, and establishing a 'turn up and go' model for Adelaide Metro public transport.
The latter would see all forms of public transport (bus, train, tram) have their frequency increased to the point where passengers, at peak hours, can simply turn up to a tram/train station or bus stop and go, rather than having to wait for a specific timetabled vehicle to arrive. As noted in the state government's 2025 transportation strategy report, 3% of South Australians have access to a 'turn up and go' service within a 5-minute walk of their home, while 70% of South Australians have to wait over 15 minutes for a service. This style of public transportation exists in Brisbane, with the maximum wait time for metro services on weekdays being 5 minutes on paper, while it has been trialled in Sydney and Melbourne as well. At the same time, the SA Socialists have also stated that they would construct a city rail loop as well.
Sarah Game's Fair Go For Australia
Abolish Local Government/Councils: The party, headed by ex-One Nation MLC Sarah Game, has stated that, if elected, it will seek to abolish local government in its entirety. In doing so, it would transfer all frontline services delivered by councils and local governments to the state government.
Make singing the National Anthem compulsory in Schools: Fair Go will seek to make the singing of the National Anthem in English compulsory at all schools in South Australia.
Build a permanent sand recycling pipeline between Largs Bay and Henley: Fair Go will seek to build a permanent sand recycling pipeline to move sand from Largs Bay/North Haven to Henley and the Southern beaches, replacing the current method of dredging.
United Voice for Australia Party
Nationalise the Torrens Island Power Station and rebuild it as a coal/LPG power plant: The UVAP would seek public ownership of Torrens Island, rebuilt [sic] it to a modern base load plant that can run on our own LPG, coal or any future greener fuel.
Build 3 New Hospitals: Build 3 New Hospitals for SA immediately.
Ban Flag Burning: Legislate that burning any Australian flag is a crime.
Airlie Keen | Independent (for Hammond)
Expand Murray Bridge's Soldiers' Memorial Hospital's Maternity Ward: Make expanding the Hospital's maternity ward a key priority in 2026.
Lou Nicholson | Independent (for Finniss)
Extend the Patient Assisted Transport Scheme to the whole of the Fleurieu Peninsula: The Patient Assisted Transport Scheme is a current government subsidy scheme which provides travel subsidies for persons who travel over 100km to recieve essential medical care. The Fleurieu Peninsula and Finniss all sit within this 100km range; however, Nicholson argues that the 170km round trip residents of Finniss have to take should be accounted for. If the push is successful, residents of Finniss (which includes within it Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, Mount Compass, McCracken, Port Elliot, and Victor Harbor) would be able to make Patient Assisted Transport subsidy claims for the treatment they require from Adelaide hospitals.
Cody Scholes | Independent (for Mt Gambier)
Repeal SA's Voice to Parliament: If elected, Scholes will introduce a bill to parliament seeking to repeal SA's Voice to Parliament.
Fines for failing to meet electoral promises: Cody Scholes has announced that, if elected, he will introduce a bill to impose fines on individuals and parties found to have not followed through on election promises. These fines would be a maximum of $10,000 for individuals and $150,000 for parties.
Launch a Parliamentary inquiry into SA Health: Cody Scholes will, if elected, seek to launch a Parliamentary inquiry into SA Health.
Matt Schultz | Independent (for Kavel)
Oppose the sale of Woodside Barracks: If elected, Matt Schultz will oppose the sale of Woodside Barracks.
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