SA Liberals Brace for Election Losses

0:00I'm Cory with the story, bringing you the latest from Sydney News today. South Australian Liberals are heading into this weekend state election, bracing for major losses. They currently hold 13 lower house seats, but polls show their primary vote at just 19 percent, trailing labor's 38 percent, and even one nation's 22 percent. Insiders say hanging onto four or five seats would count as a win, though some hope for close to double digits. The party hit reset after Ashton Herne took over as leader in early December, scrapping some key policies and starting a fresh campaign push. But timing was tough, with national events like the Bondi attack and holiday slowdown stealing the spotlight, plus leaks that fuel talk of internal, chaos. Liberals admit the road has been rough, marked by leadership spills, defections, and disunity. Retiring MPs in marginal seats like Colton, Morialta, and only make things even harder, as personal votes won't carry over. Still, sources say the party is in a better spot than three months ago.

1:02Campaign highlights included a labor blunder over a fake-to-patient email on ambulance ramping, which liberals hammered hard. Their own setback came when candidate Karsten Woodhouse quit after controversial podcast remarks on feminism and same-sex marriage. Herne held her own in the first leader's debate, earning quiet praise. Meanwhile, one nation surge is hurting both major parties, especially in regional areas. Whatever the tally, liberals are eyeing a rebuild over the next four years, remembering that politics can turn around fast. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. Your bedtime ritual just got better. Built in Sound, Built in Comfort, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com