The Liberal candidate for the southern Adelaide marginal seat of Boothby has conceded to Labor's Louise Miller-Frost, as the state Liberal Party director resigns.
In a statement published last night, Rachel Swift said that "while 30 per cent of the vote remains to be counted … it is most likely that Labor have secured a majority of the votes".
She went on to congratulate the Labor Party for its win and said she was disappointed that the country had not put more scientists into parliament.
"I firmly believe our country is in greatest need of these skills, in order to thrive now and into the future," the medical researcher said.
Ms Miller-Frost will become the seat's first Labor MP since 1949.
The seat was previously held by Nicolle Flint on a 1.4 per cent margin.
Boothby promises dependent on state action
Along with ramping up action on climate change, Ms Miller-Frost said her priorities would be getting work started on an expansion of the Flinders Medical Centre and removing the traffic bottleneck of Marion Road, Cross Road and Anzac Highway in Plympton.
Both projects are worth $400 million, with half the money coming from the state government.
SA Health Minister Chris Picton yesterday said work would start on the Flinders Hospital project in two years' time and finish by 2028.
Ms Miller-Frost was unsure of the timing of the project this morning, saying "we will be starting this straight away".
"The Malinauskas government has said they are already starting the planning," she said.
"We will get it at as fast as possible.
A traffic study on the Plympton project was released in March after being funded by a Liberal promise at the 2016 federal election.
It did not specify whether Marion Road would pass under the tram or if the Glenelg tramline would be put on an overpass over Marion Road similar to one on South Road.
Ms Miller-Frost said a decision on the design would be up to the state government.
"I would imagine that they would be looking within the state government at what would be the best model and perhaps a couple of models and going out to consultation," she said.
"We want to make sure that this works not only for the commuter traffic that goes through there but also for the local residents in the area and minimise the disruption."
State Liberal Party director resigns
South Australian Liberal Party director Sacha Meldrum resigned yesterday, following the Labor landslide at the March state election and Saturday's poor showing in the federal election.
Ms Meldrum has worked in political advisory and communication roles for more than two decades including serving as a key adviser for former Liberal premiers Rob Kerin and John Olsen, and as a media adviser for former senator Robert Hill.
Ms Meldrum said she had always planned to quit the post after the state and federal elections.
"It has always been my intention to hang up the boots this year after both elections," she in a message to party members.
"I would like to thank the party for the tremendous opportunity the role has provided me. It has been an honour to have served the party and I thank you for the support given to me and the team at headquarters over the past seven years.
"The party will now recruit for the role, and I will make myself available to help the new state director over the coming months to ensure there is a smooth transition."
State MP John Gardner commended her for her achievements and contribution to politics.
"She was a key person in helping us win the state election in 2018 and hold seats in the federal election in 2019 — I commend her for all her good work over the years," Mr Gardner said.
