Liberal MP Adrian Pederick hopes to serve for a sixth term

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Long-serving Liberal MP Adrian Pederick still has “plenty of fire in the belly” as he campaigns to win a sixth term in office, he says.

His role in the party’s team has not changed much under new Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn, who succeeded Vincent Tarzia earlier this month.

Mr Pederick will continue as the Liberals’ spokesman for regional roads and veterans’ affairs – portfolios he was “very pleased” to keep – but will lose marine infrastructure.

Also unchanged is his optimism about the coming election, both locally in the electorate of Hammond and at a state level.

The Liberals might be behind in the polls, and might only have a small team on the parliamentary benches, but he would never say never.

“Anything can happen from here, including a win,” he said.

“I’ve read all the stories, I’ve seen all the talk about a rabble, but it couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I get it: we’re low on numbers, with 13 in the House (of Assembly).

“But … we’ll be campaigning to win.”

Retaining Hammond would be essential if the Liberals were to form government next March, he said.

He described Ms Hurn as an extremely impressive leader, a “beacon of light” who brought to the role a wealth of experience in both state and federal politics, as a staffer and then an MP.

He also paid tribute to Mr Tarzia for his hard work over the past year and a half.

Why vote for Adrian Pederick?

Hammond – the electorate which includes Murray Bridge, Mannum and Strathalbyn – has traditionally been a safe bet for the Liberals.

Mr Pederick has won at least 55 per cent of votes, on a two-candidate-preferred basis, at each of his five previous elections.

But with Labor having announced its candidate earlier than ever, a reasonably high-profile independent having a second crack, and other contenders lining up, next year’s election looms as his biggest challenge in 20 years.

Asked why voters should stick with him, Mr Pederick pointed to his track record and his dedication to the community.

A state MP’s role, especially in opposition, was to act as a go-between, he suggested: to liaise and negotiate with government MPs, industry and community leaders, and ordinary folks who needed the system to work better for them.

Over his 20 year-career so far, that had meant:

• Campaigning on big issues, like stopping a weir at Wellington or getting temporary levees built during the 2022-23 floods
• Standing up for what was right, like making corporations use falling number machines to value grain at harvest time, or granting foster families greater rights after the death of a child in their care
• Working with industry on projects like Thomas Foods’ new plant, Golden North’s move, the new Bridgeport Hotel, the Gifford Hill development, and expansions by the likes of Costa Adelaide Mushrooms and Ingham’s
• Securing government investment in things like town entrances, bridge repairs, local schools and Murray Bridge’s hospital
• Individual wins like ensuring free oxygen for a patient who had been paying $100 a week for it, or standing up for a retail worker who had copped abuse at a supermarket

“I’m ready to keep working for Hammond, keep supporting people, keep supporting the community,” he said.

“I have the contacts, I have the reach, I have the determination to make sure we get the right outcomes.

“I do the work so that our communities can work … and all I’ll ever do is have the community’s interests at heart.”

The election will be held on March 21, 2026.

• More information: Visit www.adrianpederick.com or search for Adrian Pederick on Facebook or Instagram.
• Enrol to vote or check your details: www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/enrolment.