The Liberal Party has acknowledged their loss in the South Australian state seat of Dunstan, showcasing a significant shift in the political landscape after the departure of former premier Steven Marshall prompted a by-election. As post-election ballot counting progressed, the lead held by the Liberal candidate Anna Finizio dwindled, ultimately resulting in a victory for the Labor Party's Cressida O'Hanlon in Dunstan.
In a gracious statement, Opposition Leader David Speirs praised Anna Finizio for her dedication to the campaign and congratulated Premier Peter Malinauskas on his party's success in clinching the seat. Despite Dr. Finizio winning the primary vote comfortably, the preference flow did not favor the Liberals, leading to their loss by a narrow margin in Dunstan. The Labor Party secured victory in Dunstan with 50.8 percent of the two party preferred result, as both major parties experienced a decline in their primary votes.
Anna Finizio expressed gratitude to the residents of Dunstan while conceding defeat and acknowledged the efforts of her supporters and volunteers during the campaign. The Liberal leader, Mr. Speirs, recognized the challenges of holding the seat and acknowledged the difficulty but remained committed to his role despite the disappointing by-election results. The political campaign leading up to the by-election was marked by tension and accusations between the Labor and Liberal parties regarding their candidates' backgrounds, adding an element of acrimony to the electoral process.