Labor emerged victorious in the Black by-election in South Australia, securing a significant swing against the Liberals. The election was held to fill the vacancy left by former opposition leader David Speirs’ resignation, with the Labor candidate, Alex Dighton, clinching a 60 percent vote against the Liberal candidate, Amanda Wilson.
This win further strengthens Peter Malinauskas’ government’s majority and deals a blow to the Liberals and new Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia, who had previously suffered a by-election loss in Dunstan earlier in 2024.
The by-election was called after Speirs resigned in October due to drug-related charges. Labor’s decision to field Dighton, a high school teacher, paid off as he managed to significantly reduce the Liberals’ margin from the previous election and secure a substantial swing in his favor.
This victory marks only the second time in over a century that an SA government has taken a seat from the opposition in a by-election. The first instance was earlier in the year when Labor’s Cressida O’Hanlon won the Dunstan seat following Steven Marshall’s resignation.
Speirs, who previously served as state Liberal leader, stepped down in August amidst leadership speculation and later resigned from parliament in October after facing drug charges. He made a court appearance before the by-election and is scheduled for another hearing in March.
