By Ashlyn Vice, Australian Christian Lobby SA Director
The March 2026 South Australian election posed a very real risk.
While a majority Labor government in the Lower House was widely anticipated, all eyes were on the Legislative Council.
If Labor and the Greens had secured control of the Upper House, the consequences for issues such as religious freedom, abortion, gender ideology, and freedom of conscience could have been profound.
From the beginning, it was clear that the composition of the Legislative Council would be critical.
SA VOTES FOR A MAJORITY PRO-LIFE SOCIALLY CONSERVATIVE UPPER HOUSE
It would determine whether there would be any meaningful restraint on bad legislation and ideological activism within Parliament.
The left faction within Labor remains a significant force and has demonstrated an appetite to advance socially progressive reforms.
But six weeks after election day, the final result has now been confirmed – and it is very good news.
South Australia now has a majority pro-life, socially conservative Upper House.
“A SIGNIFICANT AND DEEPLY ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT”
For Christians and pro-life advocates across our state, this election result represents a significant and deeply encouraging development.
Importantly, this outcome was secured in part because many Christian voters took the time to carefully vote below the line and support pro-life candidates.
The race for the final Legislative Council came down to Clare Scriven, Labor’s strongest pro-life MP, and a second Greens candidate.
Despite serving as a senior Minister, Clare Scriven had been relegated to fifth position on Labor’s ticket, ultimately meaning her election came down to below-the-line votes.
HOW CHRISTIANS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN SECURING A PRO-LIFE UPPER HOUSE
Throughout the election campaign, we at the ACL worked hard to educate voters about the importance of below-the-line voting and the practical impact of individually supporting those who are pro-life.
Following her successful declaration, Clare Scriven specifically thanked the pro-life movement for its support.
Her election and the result of having 11 pro-life votes on the floor – an advantage enjoyed by no other Australian Parliament — is a reminder that Christian engagement can make a powerful difference.
The opportunity presented by a pro-life Upper House is significant.
Unlike Ben Hood’s bill in 2024 and Sarah Game’s bill in 2025, future pro-life debates may no longer remain confined to a single chamber of Parliament.
THE PRO-LIFE BILLS THAT JUST FAILED TO GET ACROSS THE LINE
The Termination of Pregnancy (Terminations and Live Births) Amendment Bill 2024, introduced by Ben Hood MLC, was a proposed law aiming to prohibit abortions after 27 weeks and six days gestation.
The bill, which would have required inducing labor to deliver the baby alive rather than in-utero termination, was defeated by the narrowest of margins in the SA Legislative Council with a 10-9 vote.
In November 2025, the Upper House voted down an anti-abortion bill introduced by independent MLC Sarah Game, which sought to restrict abortions after 22 weeks and six days.
The proposed Termination of Pregnancy (Restriction on Termination after 22 Weeks and 6 Days) Amendment Bill 2025 was defeated 11-8.
“THERE IS NOW A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH ISSUES CHRISTIANS CARE ABOUT”
Now, for the first time in many years, there is a genuine opportunity to bring these issues more directly before the Lower House, require MPs to publicly reveal their positions, and foster broader public debate across South Australia.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and vigilance in voting.
We look forward to seeing what God will do over the next four years.
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