SACOSS assessed South Australian political parties ahead of the state election based on their responses to SACOSS’ policy platform and their broader track records. The analysis focuses on five key areas: sector support, housing, energy, human rights, and healthy communities. Our SA Election webpage has all the details.
analysis by issue
The links above take you to our assessment of parties and candidates in the five key areas.
Analysis by party
The links above take you to an analysis of the response by individual parties and candidates to SACOSS policy proposals as well as other areas of concern to SACOSS.
Major parties - election report card
| ELECTION REPORT CARD | Labor | Liberal | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| SECTOR SUPPORT |  |  | Labor acknowledges funding issues but made no firm commitments. Liberals made no commitments, but we welcome engagement from the Shadow Minister. |
| HOUSING |  |  | Labor in government increased public housing; made rental reforms; commits some new homelessness funding. Liberals provided limited detail but have modest supply policies. Both oppose rent cap. |
| ENERGY | |  | Labor’s energy policies are very gas-focused with limited support for energy efficiency standards. Liberals did not respond to SACOSS asks but have some solar/battery initiatives |
| HUMAN RIGHTS | | | Neither party supports a human rights act. In government Labor has enacted some rights-restricting laws but implemented the SA Voice. Both major parties have pursued and promoted punitive justice policies. |
| HEALTHY COMMUNITIES |  | | Labor have committed to ongoing support for People's Health Voice. Liberals made no response. Labor have a stronger record on preventive health, but Liberal health policy does address some broader issues of availability of services |
overall findings
- Labor scores moderately across issues, with strengths in health and housing, but weaker commitments in energy and human rights.
- Liberal shows limited support for SACOSS’ proposals, focusing instead on tax cuts and rate caps, and with a few initiatives in our other areas.
- Greens strongly support all SACOSS policies requiring legislation and score highest across housing, energy, and human rights, also promoting comprehensive preventive health measures.
- SA Best (Connie Bonaros) supports most SACOSS proposals except rent capping and electrification changes; generally positive on human rights and health.
- Tammy Franks (Independent) supports all SACOSS legislative proposals and maintains a strong record on human rights, preventive health, and housing.
- Jing Lee – Better Community did not respond but publicly supports a Human Rights Act; has some good rights and community-focused policies but with limited detail.
- Sarah Game – Fair Go for Australians did not respond; policies include some positive mental health initiatives but we have significant concerns about women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights, energy, and housing.
- One Nation was not asked to respond to SACOSS policies, but their positions generally conflict with SACOSS principles, especially on human rights. Their energy and housing policies don’t address key issues and could make cost of living worse.
minor parties and crossbench
We asked the cross-bench parties whether they supported the five SACOSS policy proposals that would require legislative change – rent caps on existing tenancies, minimum energy efficiency standards for rental housing, a new National Energy Objective, phasing out gas appliances and halting residential gas connections in new builds, and a Human Rights Act for SA.
We also evaluated their broader policy suite and voting track records.
| Policy Area | Greens | SA-BEST | Jing Lee | Sarah Game | Tammy Franks | One Nation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSING |  | | | |  | |
| ENERGY | | | |  | | |
| HUMAN RIGHTS | | | | | | |
| HEALTHY COMMUNITIES | |  | | | | |
| Supports SACOSS legislative proposals | Supports all five | Supports three | DNR but supports a HR Act for SA | DNR but no evidence of support | Supports all five | No evidence of support |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
major parties
Labor
Labor has a strong record of delivering past policy commitments, such as introducing portable long service leave, expanding concessions, improving public housing, and reforming the Residential Tenancies Act. However, its responses to SACOSS’ current election priorities are mixed, with solid commitments in housing but weaker action on energy efficiency and electrification. While SACOSS welcomes funding for the People’s Health Voice, it is disappointed by the lack of support for a Human Rights Act and the failure to provide supplemental funding to meet rising community sector costs.
Beyond SACOSS’ specific asks, Labor shows substantial activity in housing supply and preventive health, including rent‑to‑buy expansion, portable rental bonds, junk‑food advertising bans, vaping and tobacco law reforms, and improved access to regional health transport, although tertiary health investment continues to overshadow prevention. SACOSS also remains concerned about the potential household cost impacts of the government’s industrial gas focus and governance changes linked to the proposed SA Gas & Water trust. Finally, while Labor earns credit for establishing the First Nations Voice to Parliament, SACOSS is troubled by ongoing “tough on crime” rhetoric and policy directions.
Read the Labor Party response to SACOSS’ policy proposals or visit the Labor Election Platform
| LABOR | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Sector Support | | NA |
| Housing | | |
| Energy | | |
| Human Rights | |  |
| Healthy Communities | | |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
Liberal
The Liberal Party’s response to the SACOSS platform offers little support for SACOSS initiatives, with no firm commitments on funding reform, homelessness services, or major housing expansion beyond broad references to boosting social and affordable housing, and reaffirming opposition to rent‑capping. They provided no response to SACOSS proposals on energy, a Human Rights Act, or funding the People’s Health Voice, instead prioritising tax cuts, council rate caps, and a Tax Reform Commission, measures SACOSS fears could reduce government revenue for vital services. While their broader housing policies are more modest than Labor’s and their energy platform includes welcome solar for renters and home battery programs, their plans to abandon SA net zero targets and guarantee continued gas‑powered generation raise climate and cost concerns. Although they are not advancing policies that threaten human rights (apart from repealing the SA First Nations Voice), they also offer no initiatives to expand them. Their health policies focus largely on system efficiency, affordability, and regional service gaps, with limited attention to prevention or equity.
Read the Liberal Party response to SACOSS’ policy proposals or vist the Liberal Election Platform.
| LIBERAL | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Sector Support | | NA |
| Housing | | |
| Energy | DNR | |
| Human Rights | DNR | |
| Healthy Communities | DNR | |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
minor parties
One Nation
One Nation was not asked to respond to SACOSS policies as the report card was originally limited to parliamentary parties, but due to polling suggesting they may gain seats, SACOSS reviewed their publicly available policies. Beyond SACOSS’ fundamental human rights concerns, One Nation’s housing policies are either federal issues or based on incorrect assumptions, and their energy policies are economically unviable and incompatible with the realities of modern electricity networks. Although they support expanded mental health and aged care services, their broader platform undermines the health of vulnerable groups and fails to address social determinants of health. You can visit the One Nation website for more.
| ONE NATION | Other Policies in Key areas |
|---|---|
| Housing | |
| Energy | |
| Human Rights | |
| Healthy Communities | |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
SA Greens
The Greens fully support all SACOSS proposals requiring legislative change and have already moved legislation for key reforms such as rent caps, minimum energy efficiency standards, and limits on residential gas expansion. They also perform strongly across SACOSS policy areas, backing expanded public housing, maintaining a strong human rights record, and promoting an ambitious preventive health agenda. SACOSS has worked productively with Greens MLCs, whose comprehensive platform extends to transport, gambling harm minimisation, renters’ rights, child protection, and raising the age of criminal responsibility.
Read the the Greens response to SACOSS’ policy proposals or visit the Greens Election Platform.
| SA GREENS | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key areas |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | | |
| Energy | | |
| Human Rights | | |
| Healthy Communities | NA | |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
SA-Best – connie Bonaros
Connie Bonaros and SA‑BEST supported three SACOSS proposals requiring legislative change and backed most non‑legislative proposals, though they did not support rent‑capping or household electrification (due to concerns about market uncertainty). While some past SA‑BEST initiatives (when Frank Pangallo was in the party) were not supported by SACOSS, we have worked constructively with Bonaros, who supports key public health, harm‑prevention, and mental health measures, and she has consistently remained open to SACOSS’ views.
Read the SA-BEST response to SACOSS’ policy proposals or visit the SA-BEST Election Platform.
| SA-BEST - CONNIE BONAROS | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | | |
| Energy | | |
| Human Rights | | |
| Healthy Communities | NA |  |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
Jing Lee – Better Community
The Jing Lee Better Community Party did not respond to the SACOSS platform but earns credit for supporting a Human Rights Act and promoting policies on early childhood, domestic violence prevention, disability advocacy, and access to justice, though most policies on her website lack detail. SACOSS welcomes this advocacy but notes that the party’s business‑aligned economic policies, focused on grants, subsidies, and tax concessions, risk reducing the revenue needed to fund the social services they champion.
Jing Lee did not respond to SACOSS’ Policy Proposals. View her policies.
| JING LEE - BETTER COMMUNITY | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | DNR | |
| Energy | DNR | |
| Human Rights | | |
| Healthy Communities | NA | |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
Sarah Game – Fair Go for Australians
This report was compiled from Sarah Game’s public statement and website prior to their lead Legislative Council candidate, Chris McDermott, resigning. The party’s policy platform is mixed and in some cases troubling. SACOSS’ acknowledges their advocacy on men’s mental health and digital inclusion, but notes significant concerns, particularly policies that limit women’s and transgender rights, flawed housing proposals that erode the tax base, opposition to renters’ reforms, and the absence of a coherent energy plan despite strong cost‑of‑living rhetoric.
Sarah Game did not respond to SACOSS’ Policy Proposal. Visit her website.
| SARAH GAME - FAIR GO FOR AUSTRALIANS | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | DNR | |
| Energy | DNR | |
| Human Rights | DNR | |
| Healthy Communities | NA | |
DNR = Did not reply NA = Not applicable
Tammy Franks – Independent
Tammy Franks supports all SACOSS proposals requiring legislative change and scores highly across policy areas, with slightly lower ratings in housing and energy only to distinguish her from the Greens, who had already introduced relevant legislation. As an independent, she maintains a broad and progressive policy platform, including social housing, Aboriginal rights, democratic reform, preventive health, and harm‑reduction approaches, and has long worked collaboratively with SACOSS initially within the Greens and then as an independent MLC.
Read the Tammy Franks response to SACOSS’ policy proposals or visit her Election Platform.
| TAMMY FRANKS - INDEPENDENT | Response to SACOSS proposals | Other Policies in Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | | |
| Energy | | |
| Human Rights | | |
| Healthy Communities | NA | |
Analysis by issue
SACOSS is calling for supplemental funding to cover recent above indexation cost increases, a purpose-built indexation formula to protect future funding value, and a comprehensive workforce plan to ensure the community services sector can meet rising demand.
| Party/Candidate | Sector Support |
|---|---|
| Labor |  |
| Liberal | |
| Greens | |
| SA-BEST | |
| Jing Lee Better Community | DNR |
| Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians | DNR |
| Tammy Franks, Independent | |
| One Nation | NA |
DNR = Did Not Reply to SACOSS platform NA = Not applicable
Neither major party has committed to supplemental indexation for 2025-26, Labor cites ongoing review and past significant supplementation (although SACOSS notes that even this did not keep pace with costs), while the Liberals have offered only informal advocacy rather than policy. The crossbench candidates expressed support for funding increases at the SACOSS forum. On workforce planning, neither major party has offered a holistic strategy, aside from Labor’s commitment to a 10-year workforce plan specific to domestic, family, and sexual violence services.
| Party/Candidate | SACOSS Housing Policies | Other Housing Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | | |
| Liberal | | |
| Greens | | |
| SA-BEST | | |
| Jing Lee Better Community | DNR | |
| Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians | DNR | |
| Tammy Franks, Independent | | |
| One Nation | NA | |
DNR = Did Not Reply NA = Not Asked
Public and Community Housing
Labor did not fully commit to SACOSS’ proposals for more public and community housing, but has expanded public housing, restored empty homes, and funded supported accommodation. The Liberal response lacked detail and focused mainly on tenant safety measures, some of which were good while others risk stigmatising tenants. Minor parties have limited ability to implement housing policy but generally support increased social housing, with the Greens and Tammy Franks offering the strongest commitments.
Rental Reform
Both major parties oppose rent capping, though Labor has enacted significant reforms improving renters’ rights and has committed to portable rental bonds and expanding rent-to-buy schemes. The Greens and Tammy Franks support rent capping, while SA-BEST, Sarah Game, and Jing Lee have opposed it, with Game previously voting against even modest rental reforms.
Homelessness Funding
Homelessness services across the state remain severely underfunded. Labor is promising a $6 million extension for three CBD-based services, while the Liberals providing no specific funding commitments.
Stamp Duty Concessions
Both major parties propose stamp duty relief for downsizers, though SACOSS views these policies as poorly targeted and prefers Labor’s more limited, new-build focused approach. Broader concessions proposed by the Liberals, Sarah Game, and Jing Lee risk eroding the tax base and driving up prices. SACOSS notes that tax reform must account for significant revenue impacts from reduced stamp duty income.
Boosting Private Housing Supply
Both Labor and Liberal have announced major initiatives to accelerate housing supply, Labor through a $1 billion fast track fund and template designs, and Liberal through a $40 million modular housing fund. SACOSS is broadly supportive of these plans while urging attention to infrastructure costs. Both parties also offer construction workforce initiatives, while among the minor parties, One Nation’s housing proposals stand out for the wrong reasons – being largely focused on irrelevant federal issues and rely on inaccurate claims about migration.
| Party/Candidate | SACOSS Energy Policies | Other Energy Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | | |
| Liberal | | |
| Greens | | |
| SA-BEST | | |
| Jing Lee Better Community | DNR | |
| Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians | DNR | |
| Tammy Franks, Independent | | |
| One Nation | NA | |
DNR = Did Not Reply NA = Not Asked
A new National Energy Objective (NEO) incorporating social justice and equity
Labor is open to considering a new NEO, the Liberals did not respond, and the Greens, Tammy Franks, and SA-BEST support the proposal, while other minor parties have no energy policies.
Minimum energy efficiency standards for rentals
Labor did not adopt minimum standards in recent tenancy reforms, while the Greens, Tammy Franks, and SA-BEST support legislating them, and the Liberals instead propose solar for renters and battery programs.
Residential electrification and the future of gas
Labor opposes SACOSS’ electrification agenda and continues to prioritise gas investment, the Greens and Tammy Franks support electrification (with the Greens proposing bans on new gas connections). SA-BEST is not supportive of SACOSS’ policies due to concerns about market uncertainty, while the Liberals, Sarah Game and One Nation plan to abandon netzero targets and guarantee gas generation, with One Nation and Sarah Game support costly coal, gas, or nuclear options.
| Party/Candidate | SACOSS Human Rights Policies | Other Human Rights Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | | |
| Liberal | | |
| Greens | | |
| SA-BEST | | |
| Jing Lee Better Community | | |
| Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians | DNR | |
| Tammy Franks, Independent | | |
| One Nation | NA | |
DNR = Did Not Reply NA = Not Asked
SACOSS is calling for public consultation on a Human Rights Act for South Australia, but neither major party supports this, Labor explicitly ruling it out and the Liberals ignoring the proposal, while the Greens, SA‑BEST, Tammy Franks and Jing Lee Better Community all back the idea. Both major parties have recently supported punitive justice measures, including anti‑protest laws and tougher youth bail and sentencing. Labor has taken a significant positive step by establishing the SA Voice, which several minor parties also supported, but the Liberals, Sarah Game, and One Nation now seek to repeal. Overall, the strongest human rights records belong to the Greens, Tammy Franks and Connie Bonaros, while Sarah Game and One Nation promote policies that restrict rights, particularly for women, transgender people, and Aboriginal communities.
| Party/Candidate | SACOSS Healthy Communities Policies | Other Healthy Communities Policies |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | | |
| Liberal | | |
| Greens | NA | |
| SA-BEST | NA | |
| Jing Lee Better Community | NA | |
| Sarah Game Fair Go for Australians | NA | |
| Tammy Franks, Independent | NA | |
| One Nation | NA | |
DNR = Did Not Reply NA = Not Asked
SACOSS’ main healthy communities priority is securing ongoing and increased funding for the People’s Health Voice. Labor has committed to ongoing funding, while the Liberals’ response did not address the issue. Beyond this, SACOSS focuses on preventive health policies, drawing on broader public health sector analysis and party responses at a recent forum. Labor has advanced preventive health through Preventive Health SA, introducing junk‑food advertising bans, stronger tobacco and vaping laws, and school lunch initiatives, though its investment remains overshadowed by tertiary health spending. The Liberals emphasise system efficiency and workforce measures with limited focus on prevention.
Cross‑bench parties cannot implement programs but strongly influence legislation: Tammy Franks and the Greens lead with comprehensive prevention‑focused and rights‑based agendas, SA‑BEST supports key prevention measures, and Jing Lee Better Community offers targeted but limited initiatives. By contrast, Sarah Game and One Nation have few policies relevant to SACOSS’ platform and hold positions, particularly on reproductive and gender rights, that SACOSS views as harmful. While the Greens and Jing Lee both support free ambulance cover for pensioners, SACOSS believes that the immediate priority should be extending existing concessions to unemployed people and those in waged poverty.
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