This is an independent guide from an alliance of environment and community organisations across South Australia. We are proudly independent and non-partisan.

We sent a survey based on the issues raised in South Australia: Our Future to Premier Steven Marshall, Labor leader Peter Malinauskas, lead candidate for the Greens (SA) Robert Simms and SA Best leaders Connie Bonaros and Frank Pangallo.

Their responses have been thoroughly evaluated and the scorecard shows the result of that evaluation.

The result will help South Australians make informed choices based on what the parties have committed to do, if elected, when it comes to stopping climate pollution, ramping up clean energy, and ensuring our communities and natural environment can thrive.

Despite some welcome achievements over the last four years, including banning single-use plastics, support for batteries and other energy transition strategies, and celebrated increases in protected areas such as Australia’s largest National Park in the Munga-Thirri–Simpson Desert, the Liberal party has decided not to respond directly to the questions asked by the Alliance and provide commitments on what they will deliver in the next term of government.

The Alliance’s ranking of parties and candidates is based on an assessment of commitments made for the next term of government, not on past records or achievements.

How did we calculate these results?

To develop this scorecard, we first sought input from a network of nature, climate, community and conservation organisations.  A series of workshops was held to refine the key issues and develop tests for potential future leaders.

We gathered initial information regarding the policy commitments via an online questionnaire responding to South Australia: Our Future – Actions to Protect People, Places & Wildlife. 

Read the parties' (signed) responses here: Liberal statement  |  Labor survey response  |  Greens survey response  |  SA Best survey response

In addition to the parties included on our scorecard, we also received a formal response from the SA Party – Stop Overdevelopment & Corruption and the Animal Justice Party

 We rated parties based on their responses, with partial scores attributed for steps towards full commitment. The results were then adjusted based on additional public statements, media releases and announcements.

We ensured total points were distributed equally between:

• Clean & Clever: Our Heritage, Our Future – policy commitments relating to climate change, energy, waste and transport; and,
• Nature for Everyone: Respect & Protect – policy commitments relating the nature protection and restoration

Of the 71 policy tests, commitments given to the following policy areas were given greater weight:

• Keeping gas in the ground
• Law reform to protect big trees
• No nuclear waste dump
• Investing in nature protection and restoration
• Ensuring protection of important areas
• Standing up for the Murray