Controversial Independents Poised to Reshape South Australia's 2026 Election
A diverse array of former Liberals, local powerbrokers, and candidates marked by controversy are emerging as pivotal independents and minority parties to monitor closely in the upcoming 2026 South Australian election. Many of these figures are entering polling day with criminal convictions, ongoing court cases, or significant party-room baggage, yet they continue to command strong local followings that could fracture traditional voting blocs and disrupt major-party strategies.
Lower House Independents: High-Profile Comebacks and Legal Battles
In the southern suburbs seat of Black, disgraced former Liberal leader David Speirs is attempting a dramatic political comeback. Speirs, who was convicted last year on two counts of supplying cocaine, has maintained a highly visible presence on social media and at community events as he campaigns to convince voters to grant him another chance. However, Labor's Alex Dighton, who secured the seat in the by-election following Speirs' resignation, is widely anticipated to retain it, positioning Speirs as one of the most prominent yet controversial independents in the race.
Meanwhile, in MacKillop, former Liberal MP Nick McBride is fighting to hold his seat as an independent, despite spending much of the campaign under the constraint of an ankle monitoring bracelet. McBride, one of the state's wealthiest MPs, was charged in December with allegedly assaulting his wife—allegations he firmly denies—and has yet to appear in court. He has criss-crossed his vast electorate during the campaign, but the Liberals remain competitive in this long-standing conservative heartland.
Narungga's Fraser Ellis stands out as the only former Liberal widely expected to retain his seat. Ellis was found guilty in 2024 of four counts of deceit for rorting $2,738 from the Country Members Allowance. After quitting the Liberal Party in 2021 following the charges, he has successfully rebuilt a strong local base. Despite his conviction, Ellis remains favoured to hold the seat, making him one of the more stable independents in the field.
In Mount Gambier, the race is wide open after former Liberal MP Troy Bell was jailed last year for stealing over $400,000 intended for disadvantaged youth programs. Bell received a five-year prison sentence, with a non-parole period of 2.5 years, after being found guilty of 20 counts of theft and five counts of dishonest dealing with documents. Independent candidate Travis Fatchen, Bell's long-time office manager, is now the frontrunner to replace him. Fatchen has openly supported Bell, telling the ABC he effectively acted as a "proxy member" in Mount Gambier while Bell attended parliament in Adelaide, and is expected to continue the electorate's recent trend of backing strong local independents.
Another notable independent is Matt Schultz in the Adelaide Hills seat of Kaval, who has made firm commitments to address the area's infrastructure woes—a key issue that both major parties have also promised to tackle in various capacities during the 2026 election campaign.
Upper House Independents: Shifting Alliances and Surge in Support
In the Upper House, Nick Xenophon's once-formidable SA-BEST party is on the brink of disappearing, with its only remaining MLC, Connie Bonaros, struggling for visibility since Xenophon's defeat in 2018. Bonaros has received backing from prominent seafood industry figures, but following her split with former colleague Frank Pangallo—now running as a Liberal in Waite—she has rarely been seen outside of supporting Labor. She recently re-entered headlines after calling One Nation's Cory Bernardi a "malaka."
Tammy Franks, who previously announced her retirement and then quit the Greens in 2025, is now running for another eight-year term as an independent. Her re-entry into the race comes amid a surge in support for One Nation and a broader appetite for non-major-party candidates, making her one of the most recognisable names on the Upper House ballot.
One Nation's SA leader, Cory Bernardi, is another notable figure, running as the party's sure thing on the upper house ticket. Bernardi has previously stated that One Nation is committed to representing "forgotten South Australians," and the party is expected to win at least one upper house seat.
Conclusion: Unpredictable Players Set to Influence the Election
Across South Australia, independents and minority parties are emerging as some of the most unpredictable and influential players in the 2026 election. While some carry criminal convictions and legal challenges, others benefit from deep local loyalty and strong community connections. All of these candidates possess the potential to disrupt major-party plans and reshape the composition of the next parliament, highlighting the dynamic and contentious nature of this electoral contest.
