Citizens’ agenda: What do you want the election candidates for Hammond to talk about?

A state election is coming up on March 21, and Murray Bridge News can help you decide how to vote.

What are the issues that matter most to you?

What do you want to know about the candidates for Hammond?

Take our two-minute survey and let us know.

Instead of letting political parties set the agenda, we’d like the Murraylands’ voters to determine what the candidates talk about in the lead-up to polling day.

We’ll turn your ideas into a citizens’ agenda: a list of all the things locals want from their next state MP.

In the weeks leading up to the election, we’ll ask the candidates about the issues that are most important to you.

During March, we’ll also host a candidates’ forum in Murray Bridge, where you can come and ask questions in person.

Take our two-minute survey and let us know what you’d like to ask about.

When will the state election be held?

The next South Australian election will be held on March 21, 2026.

All Australian citizens who will be aged 18 or older on that date, and who live in South Australia, will be eligible to vote.

You have until February 27 to enrol to vote – that is, to register your details with the Australian Electoral Commission.

• Enrol to vote: Visit www.aec.gov.au/enrol, or check that your enrolment is up to date at check.aec.gov.au.

Who will I be voting for?

Murray Bridge, Mannum, Strathalbyn and most surrounding towns are part of the electorate of Hammond, represented in SA’s parliament for the past 20 years by Liberal MP Adrian Pederick.

Also running in Hammond, at this stage, are Labor’s Simone Bailey, One Nation’s Robert Roylance and independents Airlie Keen and Lucas Hope.

Tailem Bend and the Coorong district are part of the electorate of Mackillop, represented by independent MP Nick McBride for the past eight years.

So far, the other candidates in that electorate are the Liberals’ Rebekah Rosser and Labor’s Mark Braes.

More candidates may announce their nominations between now and March 2.

Why does this matter?

The MPs we elect this March will represent the Murraylands in South Australia’s parliament for the next four years, making laws and advocating for our interests.

If their party forms government, they may play an important role; and if they end up in opposition or on the crossbench, it will be their job to keep the government accountable.

Historically, both Hammond and Mackillop have been fairly “safe” seats for the Liberal Party, but that means nothing on election day.

Every election is a clean slate, and every vote counts.

It’s not just about who wins, either – candidates who receive at least four per cent of votes will get between $5.50 and $9 per vote from the Electoral Commission of South Australia.

So who deserves your taxpayer funds, and your vote?

Tell us about the issues that matter to you and we’ll help you decide.