2025-11-26
the greens are growing in south australia
By Your Greens SA team
People are hungry for progress. We’ve seen it with Zohran Mamdani, we’ve seen it with Zach Polanski, and we’re seeing it in South Australia in the leadup to the State Election – the appetite for progressive politics is growing.
With just under four months to go until the state election, an unprecedented opportunity lies ahead for the South Australian Greens. Whilst Labor has been tinkering around the edges on the climate crisis, skyrocketing cost of living, and the toxic Algal Bloom – people are looking for change.
A unique election landscape puts us on track to grow our voice in parliament.
This election is unique. The South Australian Labor government is overwhelmingly popular, holding 28 of the 47 lower house seats, and on track to win even more. The opinion polls are all pointing to a landslide win for Labor, creating a once in a lifetime opportunity for The Greens.
One of the biggest barriers people face to voting Green, is fear of letting the Liberals get in. But with Labor on track to win more seats than ever, we have the opportunity to bring more Greens voices into parliament, and push Labor to do better.
We could win a record number of seats in the Legislative Council
Off the back of a powerful Federal election campaign, The Greens achieved a 12.9% vote in the Senate in South Australia. And our momentum has only grown stronger since.
Without the looming fears of a Dutton government, we’re in a position to potentially secure 2 new legislative council seats if we can replicate our Federal vote. This would mean sending Melanie Selwood, and Katie McCusker into parliament, to be strong progressive voices holding Labor and the Liberals to account.
For the first time ever, we could win Heysen
Nestled in the heart of the Adelaide Hills is a pivotal opportunity for The South Australian Greens – A winnable seat in the lower house. The Heysen community cares deeply for the environment, and the people within it, so it’s no surprise that support for the Greens has built since the last federal election.
It’s an area that’s as unique in spirit as it is beautiful, with a long history of looking to independent voices, and being open to representation outside of the major parties. Now, just four months out from a state election, we’re in a strong position to secure a seat, by gaining just a 4.58% swing – a highly achievable result with the incumbent’s party in shambles.
But the feeling on the ground is the most powerful sign this seat is something different. Our candidate Genevieve Dawson Scott is a renter, an early childhood educator, and a mum whose concern for the next generation has struck a cord with the Adelaide Hills community. “I feel like stepping into politics wasn’t always my plan, but it’s an extension of the duty of care I have to all of the children I work with.”
Genevieve’s unwavering care for her community is clear from her words, and her actions within the broad set of community groups she’s a part of, “They deserve voices and leaders who are thinking about their future.”
Working closely with Robert Simms MLC, Genevieve hasn’t just been talking about the future she wants for Heysen, she’s been fighting for it, “We’ve been able to use this campaigning time as something to actually do meaningful things for the community already.“ For Genevieve, holding forums to advocate for safer roads, and a public transport system that better serves The Adelaide hills is just the beginning.
Backed by the people power of volunteer doorknockers, callers, and letterboxers, the Heysen campaign has been building strong connections with the community, and a deeper understanding of what people truly want. It’s clear that many people are ready for a strong green voice in Heysen.
The energy at our Campaign Kick-Off launch was electric
Over 200 people registered to be a part of our campaign kick-off! The space was filled with a mixture of candidates, members, and supporters creating a high-energy and heartfelt atmosphere.
Lead candidates spoke from the heart about why they’re running – and the powerful opportunities we have at hand – electing 2 members to the upper house and breaking into the lower house for the first time ever. Allowing us to hold Labor to account for real action on the cost of living, housing, and climate change.
The atmosphere was electric, as Robert Simms MLC spoke about the powerful things we continue to fight for as a party, ‘We’re the only party this election that is offering real hope to the people of South Australia. Because we’re the only party that recognises that all South Australians deserve to lead a good life and to realise their full potential in life. That’s what the Greens stand for this election.’
Lead candidate for the Legislative Council, Melanie Selwood, gave a moving speech on why it’s more important now, than ever to have strong Greens voices in parliament, ‘Labor is on track to win in a landslide this election. We need to be there in both houses, to make sure that we’re holding them to account and to make them do better.’
Our candidate for the seat of Heysen, Genevieve Dawson Scott echoed what we’ve all been feeling on the ground, ‘People are ready for this, they’re ready for change – we’re hearing it every single day.’
As our momentum continues to build, the South Australian Greens are feeling optimistic that we can do better – and that starts now. Every door we’ve knocked on, letterbox drop, shared post, phonecall, and conversation has helped us get to where we are today, and we’re beyond excited to keep growing the momentum and bring more strong Greens voices into South Australia’s parliament in 2026.