The loss was the first for any incumbent state or territory government during the pandemic.
Retiring federal Liberal MP Nicolle Flint said the party would need to pay attention to the requirements of Morrison’s “quiet Australians”, who were devastated by issues such as the SA Liberal government’s decision to axe the Adelaide 500 Supercars race.
She said suburban voters, who were already impacted by the loss of car manufacturing jobs and the COVID-19 pandemic, felt the motor race decision was like “another nail in the coffin”.
Labor MP Amanda Rishworth said while the Morrison government had talked about jobs, voters in suburban SA had not benefited.
“The messaging around the economy and jobs has not been as tangible as it should have been out in the suburbs,” she told Sky News.
“We have toxjmtzyw speak to bread and butter issues – that is the lesson.”
Cabinet minister Anne Ruston said the state election had been fought on issues around health and the Marshall government’s management of the pandemic, not federal issues.
Ruston said when it came to the federal election, it would be fought on jobs and national security.
“They are two different elections and they are going to be fought on two different grounds,” she said.
She rejected suggestions Marshall should have picked more of a fight with Canberra in order to be seen as a strong leader for his state.
