See how we've assessed them for all policy statements included in the Build a Ballot tool. Want to suggest a revision? Send us an email at tool@buildaballot.org.au
Policy
Evidence of support
Support level
Streamline planning approvals for strata developments that meet good design standards in well-located areas
No announcements on planning reforms, but Labor is partnering with Adelaide Airport to allow for "pre-approval for increased heights of 10 to 15 floors across many areas of the CBD"
https://www.facebook.com/PMalinauskasMP/videos/4230460510571337/
Establish a fund to purchase land for housing and underwrite apartment construction projects
Labor have announced they would establish a $1 billion housing package to build more homes for South Australians through strategic measures that increase housing supply at pace
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/1b-to-fast-track-south-australian-homes
Build more social housing to reduce the public housing waitlist and plan for future demand
Labor have announced they would build 200 new supported accomodation places and upgrade 300 Housing Trust homes, helping to lower public housing vacancy rates and continuing Labor's work in increasing public housing stock
Cap rent increases in line with CPI
No announcements on rent caps, however, Labor are more focused on strengthening renters' rights (such as their announcement to establish a portable rental bonds scheme and previous rental reforms)
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/portable-rental-bonds
https://www.cbs.sa.gov.au/news/stronger-protections-for-tenants-now-in-effect
Remove stamp duty for eligible first homebuyers on existing homes and older South Australians downsizing to smaller homes
Labor have announced they would abolish stamp duty for downsizers buying new homes and build 6,877 homes for South Australian first homebuyers, but no announcements on removing stamp duty for first homebuyers on existing homes
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/abolishing-stamp-duty-for-downsizers-to-help-build-more-homes
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/more-homes-for-south-australian-first-home-buyers
Prohibit new residential gas connections from a specified date
No announcements, however, South Australia ruled out gas bans in 2023
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-29/push-to-ban-new-household-gas-730/102783164
Introduce measures such as grants to encourage landlords to install solar panels on rental properties
No announcements, however, Labor provides incentives called small-scale technology certificates (STCs) at the federal level and axed the Home Battery Scheme and Switch for Solar program at the state level
Set minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties (covering heating, cooling, hot water, shower heads, ceiling insulation and draughtproofing) from a specified date
No announcements, but Labor's 2024 rental reforms require landlords to comply with specific energy and water efficiency requirements when installing or replacing appliances, fittings or fixtures
Establish a fund to support more strata properties to connect to shared solar panel and battery systems, Virtual Power Plants and solar gardens
No announcements, but South Australia is delivering 18 community batteries for South Australia through the emPowering SA program
https://www.greenadelaide.sa.gov.au/news/2025-green-strategy-launched
Increase investment in green spaces, prioritising high-risk communities
No announcements, but South Australia launched an Urban Greening Strategy for Metropolitan Adelaide, backed by $15 million in grants with matching contribution by councils to grow the city’s tree canopy, cool urban areas and boost biodiversity in 2025
https://www.greenadelaide.sa.gov.au/news/2025-green-strategy-launched
Legislate a minimum standard of access to clean, safe and affordable water
No announcements on a basic level of service, but Labor has announced they would de-corporatise SA Water to enable more housing, industrial growth and jobs, and the Annual Water Security Update 2025 includes water security projects and initiatives underway in each region
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/sa-gas-and-water-trust
Establish clear, coordinated responsibilities across departments and agencies for preparing and responding to climate-related disasters (such as algal blooms, heatwaves, bushfires, flooding and droughts) and increase long-term multi-year funding for these activities
No announcements, but the Office for Algal Bloom Research is being established, based in South Australia, to undertake vital long-term research into the formation, spread and impact of algal bloom events
Expand fully protected zones and increase investment in acquiring and restoring high biodiversity land, freshwater and ocean ecosystems to protect under the National Parks and Wildlife Act
No announcements, but the 2025 Strategy for Protected and Conserved Land Areas is set to drive the strategic expansion and enhancement of South Australia’s protected and conserved areas, so that biodiversity can thrive, and that places of special value are protected
https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/park-management/strategy-protected-conserved-land-areas
Introduce a levy on plastic waste to encourage manufacturers to find alternatives and reduce waste generation
No announcements on a plastic levy, however, South Australia is taking a phased approach to banning single-use and other plastic products, enabling all South Australians to replace the waste by avoiding single-use plastics and adopting ‘clean and green’ alternatives
Increase funding for childcare services to build new centres and expand existing centres
No announcements, but Labor has invested $60 million in eight new preschools to meet the growing demand for three-year-old preschool and reached an agreement under the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund to deliver more not for profit early learning in South Australia
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/largest-education-reform-in-a-generation
Invest in inclusive school facilities for students with autism and provide extra support services (such as psychologists and speech pathologists) for students experiencing disadvantage
Labor have announced they would invest $10 million in new and upgraded inclusive education facilities, ensuring young people have what they need to feel safe and supported at school, but no further announcements (noting existing student support services)
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/more-inclusive-school-facilities
Invest in more apprenticeships, university scholarships, upskilling courses and technical colleges to support students to pursue skilled careers
Labor have announced they would invest $27 million to support more than 1,000 new university, trade and upskilling opportunities for South Australians
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/labors-plan-to-build-south-australias-aukus-skills
Fully cover all public school costs for families including materials and services charges and fees for extracurricular activities during school hours
Labor have announced they would abolish annual materials and services charges, making public education free for all South Australian children
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/making-public-school-free
Increase funding for infrastructure upgrades at schools, preschools and childcare centres
Labor have announced they would invest more than $500 million in preschool and school infrastructure, upgrading and replacing facilities across South Australia
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/investment-in-school-infrastructure
Commit to 100% renewable energy generation, increase investment in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure, and implement measures to ensure responsible delivery (such as benefit sharing guidelines and payment schemes)
No announcements, but South Australia’s aspiration is to achieve 100% net renewables by 2027, there is over A$20 billion in the investment pipeline, and companies must comply with strict consultation regulations to receive a licence for hydrogen and renewable energy projects
https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/hydrogen-and-renewable-energy/leading-the-green-economy
Phase out subsidies for fossil fuel companies
South Australia provided $37 million in assistance to fossil fuel industries in 2024–25, with longer-term commitments worth $98 million, and, in addition, Labor has allocated $17.5 million to the 2025 SA Gas Initiative and signed a ten-year gas contract with Santos for the new State Strategic Gas Reserve
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/sa-gas-and-water-trust
Strengthen state planning and environment laws to stop new gas approvals and expansions
No announcements, however, successful projects under the SA Gas Initiative include drilling exploration and additional wells
Increase recruitment and retention incentives (such as relocation packages and bonuses) for healthcare professionals, particularly in regional areas
Labor have announced they would build a new a $13 million medical school training centre in Mount Gambier, boosting the medical workforce in regional South Australia and strengthening healthcare access for country communities, but no further announcements on financial incentives for healthcare workers
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/more-health-workers-for-a-bigger-health-system
Build new mental health assessment units at major hospitals
Labor have announced they would construct three New Mental Health Assessment Units next to Emergency Departments
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/more-health-workers-for-a-bigger-health-system
Expand the remit of Preventative Health SA and increase funding for its programs
No announcements, but Preventive Health SA was formed in February 2024, consolidating key prevention functions into a single government agency
https://www.preventivehealth.sa.gov.au/about/news-announcements/landmark-legislation-passed
Remove payroll tax on GPs and provide funding to support GPs to extend their opening hours
No announcements, however, South Australia introduced a bulk billing exemption on the wages paid or payable by medical practices to employee and contractor GPs for bulk billed services from 1 July 2024, and Health Minister Chris Picton confirmed Labor would not match the policy to expand after-hours GP appointments as GPs are ‘the responsibility of the federal government’
https://revenuesa.sa.gov.au/payrolltax/payroll-tax-and-the-medical-industry
Protect South Australia’s current abortion laws and continue to treat abortion as a healthcare service
Labor parliamentarians have said they are highly supportive of keeping the termination of pregnancy inside the realm of healthcare
Provide rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing and fertility treatments
Labor have announced they would introduce South Australia’s first ever fertility rebates to make IVF treatment more affordable for thousands of South Australian women and families
Increase investment in network of EV charging infrastructure, particularly in rural and regional South Australia
No announcements, but Labor invested in the RAA Charge network (now one of the most comprehensive state-wide EV charging networks in Australia) and smart charging trials to inform the future direction of EVs
Increase investment in road maintenance to address South Australia’s increasing backlog
Labor have announced they would invest $90 million to increase road safety and improve freight efficiency on the Horrocks Highway and $80 million to widen the Adelaide and Hawthorn roads intersection and install traffic lights
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/our-policies/creating-a-safer-horrocks-highway
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/assets/documents/pdfs/Labors-Plan-for-Mount-Barker.pdf
Increase investment in public transport infrastructure and services to improve the frequency and reliability of public transport across South Australia
Labor have announced they would invest $103 million to increase the frequency of buses between Murray Bridge and Mount Barker, and Murray Bridge and Adelaide, but no further announcements on public transport improvements
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-21/opposition-announces-public-transport-policy/105799654
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/assets/documents/MURRAY-BRIDGE-Labors-Plan-Policy-Booklet-v.1-Final.pdf
Introduce a 50 cent flat fare for all public transport trips
Labor said the Liberals' proposal of a flat 50-cent fare was "underfunded to the tune of $75 million dollars" and announced they would instead expand the MetroCARD zone to Murray Bridge, making it cheaper to travel from Murray Bridge straight to Adelaide or via Mount Barker
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-21/opposition-announces-public-transport-policy/105799654
https://www.sa.alp.org.au/assets/documents/MURRAY-BRIDGE-Labors-Plan-Policy-Booklet-v.1-Final.pdf
Increase investment in active transport infrastructure to deliver on South Australia’s Walking Strategy and Cycling Strategy
No announcements, but South Australia received $46 million in federal funding in 2025 for seven new projects across the state under the Active Transport Fund to build or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/active-transport-boost-south-australia
Increase funding for evidence-based early intervention and community support programs
No announcements, however, Labor's 2025-26 State Budget focused on police, courts and corrections rather than early intervention and community support programs (noting the existing Child and Family Support System)
https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1159486/Budget-Pack-Overview-.pdf
https://dhs.sa.gov.au/how-we-help/child-and-family-support/about-the-child-and-family-support-system
Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 14
No announcements, however, while Police Minister Stephen Mullighan ruled out any changes after consulting on raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility to 12, he said "it might be something a future government considers"
Provide grants to businesses and councils for security measures such as CCTV, alarm and intercom systems, lighting, fences and gates
No announcements, but Labor has provided funding to boost safety and security in Port Augusta in 2026, including expanded CCTV coverage and support for small business operators to improve shopfront safety
https://dhs.sa.gov.au/news/2026/Funding-to-boost-safety-and-security-in-Port-Augusta