Historic Shift in Adelaide Suburbs as Long-Standing Seat of Sturt Falls to Labor

For the first time in over fifty years, the iconic seat of Sturt in Adelaide’s east has swung to Labor, marking a significant political milestone. The result, along with the Liberals’ loss of Boothby, leaves the party without a single suburban MP in Adelaide, signaling a dramatic shift in the local political landscape.

Counting votes in both of these marginal seats reveals swings toward Labor and away from the Liberals, amid a broader nationwide trend favoring the incumbent government. Sturt, once the most marginal seat in the state after the 2022 election when it was held by Liberal James Stevens on a razor-thin 0.5 percent margin, has now flipped.

In a concession speech at the Robin Hood Hotel in Adelaide’s east, Mr. Stevens acknowledged the defeat. “About half an hour ago I called Labor candidate Claire Clutterham and congratulated her on winning the seat of Sturt,” he said. “It’s a very disappointing night for the Liberal Party across the country. I’m very disappointed for all of us and for our party. We have not been successful locally tonight, and we have not been successful nationally. I concede that, and I understand that is the decision of our community.”

Former Liberal MP Christopher Pyne, speaking earlier, described the outcome as a “big blow.” On Channel Nine, he noted, “My gut out of Sturt is that we will not win it tonight. I am being told by my successor that it will be very, very difficult for us to win.”

In the nearby seat of Boothby, where former Liberal MP Nicolle Flint challenged three years after stepping back from politics, the swing away from the Liberals appears even more pronounced. Ms. Flint has conceded defeat to incumbent Labor MP Louise Miller-Frost.

“We have worked harder and fought harder than I think we ever have in the seat of Boothby,” Ms. Flint told supporters. “It’s disappointing that we are conceding tonight, it’s disappointing for us but also for the Australian people. But as the great John Howard always said, the Australian people never get it wrong, so we respect their decision and hear them.”