View source for South Australian Legislative Council

{{Short description|Upper house of the parliament in South Australia, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox legislature
 |background_color = firebrick
 |name          = Legislative Council
 | legislature   = [[Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 2022–2026|55th Parliament]]
 | coa_pic       = South Australian Coat of Arms.svg
 | coa_res       = 
 | foundation    = {{start date and age|1836}}
 | session_room  = South Australian Legislative Council Chamber.jpg
 | house_type    = Upper house
 | body          = Parliament of South Australia
 | leader1_type  = [[President of the South Australian Legislative Council|President]]
 | leader1       = [[Terry Stephens]]
 | party1        = [[South Australian Liberal Party|Liberal]]
 | election1     = 3 May 2022
 | leader2_type  = [[Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council (South Australia)|Leader of the Government]]
 | leader2       = [[Kyam Maher]]
 | party2        = [[South Australian Labor Party|Labor]]
 | election2     = 24 March 2022
 | leader3_type  = Leader of the Opposition
 | leader3       = [[Nicola Centofanti]]
 | party3        = [[South Australian Liberal Party|Liberal]]
 | election3     = 21 April 2022
 | leader4_type  = 
 | leader4       = 
 | party4        = 
 | election4     =
 | leader5_type  = 
 | leader5       = 
 | party5        = 
 | election5     =
 |structure1     = 55th South Australian Parliament Legislative Council Composition.svg
 |structure1_res = 200px
 | members       = 22
 | political_groups1  = '''[[Government of South Australia|Government]] (9)'''
*{{legend|{{party color|Australian Labor Party}}|[[South Australian Labor Party|Labor]] (9)}}
'''[[Opposition (Australia)|Opposition]] (8)'''
*{{legend|{{Australian politics/party colours|liberal sa}}|[[South Australian Liberal Party|Liberal]] (8)}}
'''[[Crossbencher|Crossbench]] (5)'''
*{{legend|#10c25b|[[Greens South Australia|Greens]] ([[Robert Simms (politician)|1]])}}
*{{legend|{{party color|Nick Xenophon Team}}|[[SA-Best]] ([[Connie Bonaros|1]])}}
*{{legend|{{Australian politics/party colours|Independent}}|[[Independent politician|Independent]] (3)}}{{efn|Current [[Independent politician|independent]] MLCs: [[Tammy Franks]], [[Sarah Game]], and [[Jing Lee]]}}
| term_length = 8 years 
|voting_system1    = [[Single transferable vote]]
| first_election1 = [[1851 South Australian colonial election|21 February 1851]] as [[unicameral]] <br/>[[1857 South Australian colonial election|9 March 1857]] as [[bicameral]]
| last_election1 = [[Results of the 2022 South Australian state election (Legislative Council)|19 March 2022]]
| next_election1 = [[2026 South Australian state election|21 March 2026]]
 | meeting_place = Legislative Council Chamber<br /> [[Parliament House, Adelaide|Parliament House]], [[Adelaide]],<br />[[South Australia]], [[Australia]]
 | website       = [https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Legislative-Council/Legislative-Council-Home SA Legislative Council]
}}

The '''Legislative Council''' is the [[upper house]] of the [[bicameralism|bicameral]] [[Parliament of South Australia]], the [[lower house]] being the [[South Australian House of Assembly|House of Assembly]].

Its central purpose is to act as a house of review for legislation passed through the House of Assembly. It sits in [[Parliament House, Adelaide|Parliament House]] in the state capital, [[Adelaide]]. The upper house has 22 members elected for [[staggered elections|staggered]] eight-year terms by [[proportional representation]], with half of the members facing re-election every four years. It is elected in a similar manner to its federal counterpart, the [[Australian Senate|Senate]]. [[Casual vacancy|Casual vacancies]]—where a member resigns or dies—are filled by a [[joint sitting]] of both houses, who then elect a replacement.

==History==
===Advisory council===
{{further|British colonisation of South Australia}}
At the founding of the Province of South Australia under the ''[[South Australia Act 1834]]'', governance of the new colony was divided between the [[Governor of South Australia]] and a [[Resident Commissioner]], who reported to a new body known as the ''South Australian Colonization Commission''. Under this arrangement, there was also a governing Council comprising the Governor, the [[Chief Justice of South Australia|Judge or Chief Justice]], the [[Chief Secretary of South Australia|Colonial Secretary]], the [[Advocate-General of South Australia|Advocate-General]] and the Resident Commissioner, with broad legislative and executive powers including the imposition of rates, duties, and taxes.<ref name=oic>{{cite web|url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-3.html|website=Museum of Australian Democracy|series=Documenting a democracy|title=Order-in-Council Establishing Government 23 February 1836 (UK)|access-date=16 November 2019}}</ref> This council was sometimes referred to as the "Legislative Council".<ref name="old"/> Confusion and dispute about the division of power between the two roles led to the ''South Australia Government Act 1838'', which combined the role of Resident Commissioner with that of the Governor.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Great Britain | title=An act to amend an act of the fourth and fifth years of His Majesty, empowering His Majesty to erect South Australia into a British province or provinces : 31st July 1838 | date=1838 | publisher=Printed by George Eyre and Andrew Spottiswoode | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/12899260 | accessdate=5 November 2019 }}</ref>

In 1842, the ''[[South Australia Act 1842]]'' was passed in order to replace the South Australian Colonisation Commission appointed in 1834 with a more standard British model of government, with a Governor advised by a Legislative Council. The 1842 Act gave the British Government, which was responsible for appointing a Governor and at least seven other officers to the Legislative Council, full control of South Australia as a [[Crown Colony]], after financial mismanagement by the first administration had nearly bankrupted the colony.<ref name=bound>{{cite web|url=http://boundforsouthaustralia.com.au/journey-content/south-australian-colonization-commission.html|website=Bound for South Australia|title=South Australian Colonization Commission|publisher=[[History Trust of South Australia]]|others=Creative Commons 3.0|date=11 February 2011 |access-date=5 November 2019}}</ref> This new Legislative Council was the first true parliamentary body in South Australia. The Act also made provision for a commission to initiate the establishment of democratic government, electoral districts, requirements for voting rights, and terms of office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/resources/transcripts/sa6_doc_1842.pdf|website=Founding Documents|title=An Act to provide for the better Government of South Australia [30th July 1842]: Anno 5o et 6o Victoriae|access-date=13 November 2019}}</ref> Although the old  governing Council advising the Governor met at [[Government House, Adelaide|Government House]], this new Legislative Council met at a new purpose built chamber on North Terrace. This chamber eventually grew into what is now known as "Old Parliament House".<ref name = "old">{{cite book |title=The Life and Times of Old Parliament House|last=Stretton|first=Pat|year=1988|publisher=Old Parliament House, North Terrace, Adelaide |isbn=0-7243-7982-7}}</ref>

The council was originally appointed by the Governor (then [[Sir George Grey]]), and only served in an advisory capacity, as the Governor retained almost all legislative powers. It was expanded slightly in 1843, when several prominent landowners were allowed to join. In the same year, proceedings were opened to the general public.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

Public demand for some form of representative government had been growing throughout the 1840s, and this was reflected in a series of reforms in 1851, which created a partially representative Legislative Council. After the changes, it consisted of 24 members, four official (filling what would be today ministerial positions) and four non-official members, both nominated by the governor on behalf of the Crown, and 16 elected members. The right to vote for these positions was not universal, however, being limited to propertied men. In addition, the reforms meant that the Governor no longer oversaw proceedings, with the role being filled by a Speaker who had been elected by the members.<ref>Australian Colonies Government Act 1850</ref><ref>Legislative Council Act 1851 (SA)</ref>

[[File:South Australian Legislative Council, Old Parliament House 1939.jpg|250px|thumb|The Legislative Council chamber in Old Parliament House circa 1939]]

===Self-government===
In 1856, the Legislative Council passed the ''Constitution Act 1856'' (SA), which prepared what was to become the 1857 [[Constitution of South Australia]]. This laid out the means for true self-government, and created a [[bicameral system]], which involved delegating most of its legislative powers to the new House of Assembly. While all adult males could vote in the new Assembly, the Council continued to limit voting rights to the wealthier classes; suffrage was male-only and dependent on certain property and wage requirements. The entire province was a single electorate for the Legislative Council, electing 18 members, with the scheme originally set up so that 6 members would be elected every 4 years to serve a 12 year term.<ref name="Jaensch">{{cite web |url=http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=483 |title=History of South Australian elections 1857-2006, volume 2 |first=Dean |last=Jaensch |author-link=Dean Jaensch |date=1 March 2007 |publisher=[[State Electoral Office of South Australia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308203512/http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=483 |access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=8 March 2016 }}</ref>{{rp|18}}

The council had its purpose in replicating the British [[House of Lords]] as a restricted "house of review" in a colonial context. When the Province of South Australia received its original constitution in 1857, it was the most democratic in the [[British Empire]], combining a universal-suffrage lower house (the [[South Australian House of Assembly|House of Assembly]]), with a restricted-suffrage upper house (the Legislative Council). The purpose of the Legislative Council was, as with the 19th century House of Lords, to safeguard the "longer term interests of the nation rather than just reacting to short term ephemeral issues of the day".{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

In 1882, the Legislative Council was increased to 24 members by the [[1882 South Australian Legislative Council election|a special election]] brought on by the ''[[Constitution Act Further Amendment Act 1881]]'', and the Province was then divided into four districts which each elected six members: [[Central District (South Australian Legislative Council)|Central]], [[North-Eastern District (South Australian Legislative Council)|North-Eastern]], [[Northern District (South Australian Legislative Council)|Northern]] and [[Southern District (South Australian Legislative Council)|Southern]] districts.<ref name="Jaensch"/>{{rp|11}} At the same time, the electoral schedule was shifted so that half of the Council was elected at each House of Assembly election.

Women earned the right to vote in the Council at the same time as the Assembly, [[Constitutional Amendment (Adult Suffrage) Act 1894|in 1895]], the first Parliament in Australia to do so, under the radical Premier [[Charles Kingston]].<ref>[https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/education/teachers/Documents/Women's%20Petition%20Photograph.pdf Women’s Suffrage Petition 1894: parliament.sa.gov.au]</ref>

===Federation===
In 1902, following the [[Federation of Australia]], the ''[[Constitution Act Amendment Act 1901]]'' reduced the size of the legislative council from 24 back to 18 members - 6 from Central District and four each from Northern, North-Eastern and Southern districts.<ref name="Jaensch"/>{{rp|94}} North-Eastern District was replaced by [[Midland District (South Australian Legislative Council)|Midland District]] from the 1910 election, and the restricted franchise was extended to include ministers of religion, school head teachers, postmasters, railway stationmasters, and the officer in charge of a police station.<ref name="Jaensch"/>{{rp|112}}

In 1913 the franchise extended to the inhabitant occupier of a house (but not their spouse) and the council expanded to 20 people, four from each of five districts, with the Central district being replaced by [[Central District No. 1 (South Australian Legislative Council)|Central District No. 1]] and [[Central District No. 2 (South Australian Legislative Council)|Central District No. 2]].<ref name="Jaensch"/>{{rp|127}} "[[Contingent vote|Contingency voting]]", a form of [[single transferable vote|preferential voting]], was introduced from 1930.<ref name="Jaensch"/>{{rp|140}}

===Composition of Council over time===
The council's numbers varied over time. From inception to 1882, it had 18 members elected by a single colony-wide district. From then until 1902 it had 24 members; until 1915, 18 members; and until 1975, 20 members. The electoral districts were drawn with a heavy bias in favour of rural areas in place, with half of the council being elected each time. From 1915 to 1975, Labor did not gain more than two members at each election, with the conservative parties always holding a sizeable majority. From 1975, the council was increased to 22 members, with half (11) to be elected at each election.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

The conservative members in the council were very independent, and differed markedly from their counterparts in the House of Assembly. During the long reign of [[Liberal and Country League]] (LCL) Premier [[Thomas Playford IV|Sir Thomas Playford]], they would prove to be an irritant, and Labor support was sometimes required for bills to pass. When a Labor government was eventually elected in 1965 and began introducing social legislation that was anathema to LCL councillors, they would delay, obstruct and modify such bills. The councillors, however, saw their actions (in the words of MLC [[Arthur Campbell Rymill|Sir Arthur Rymill]]) necessary to "oppose... radical moves that I feel would not be in the permanent will of the people."<ref>{{cite book|last=Blewett |first=Neal |year=1971 |title=Playford to Dunstan: The Politics of Transition |publisher=Griffin Press Limited |pages=41 |isbn=0-7015-1299-7}}</ref> The House of Assembly contained some progressive Liberals, and its membership would usually abide by the party line. The council contained none, and its members rebelled regularly against the decisions of the party leadership and the popular will of the people.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

[[File:Adelaide parliament house.JPG|right|240px|thumb|Parliament House on North Terrace, Adelaide.]]

===Universal suffrage===
Even after electoral legislation had been implemented in 1967 by [[Steele Hall (Australian politician)|Steele Hall]] that produced a fairer electoral system for the House of Assembly, the council remained a house of property.

Under the original 1856 Constitution, the franchise was restricted to men, "having a [[Freehold (law)|freehold]] estate in possession, either legal or equitable, situate within the said Province, of the clear value of Fifty Pounds sterling money above all charges and encumbrances affecting the same, or having a [[leasehold estate]] in possession, situate within the said Province, the lease thereof having been registered in the General Registry Office, for the registration of deeds, and having three years to run at the time of voting, or containing a clause authorising the lessee to become the purchaser of the land thereby demised, or occupy a dwelling house of the clear annual value of Twenty-five Pounds sterling money."<ref name="Community">{{cite news| last = Jaensch| first =  Dean| title =  Community access to the electoral processes in South Australia since 1850 | year = 2002 |publisher= South Australian State Electoral Office| url =http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=479| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308203426/http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=479| archive-date = 8 March 2016}} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Text was copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/ Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY 3.0 AU)] license.</ref>

In 1907, the right to vote was extended to any person occupying a dwelling house, or "dwelling house and premises appurtenant thereto", with an annual rent of at least 17 pounds per annum (excluding any payment of rent by a wife to her husband); to a registered proprietor of a leasehold on which there were improvements to the value of at least 50 pounds and which were the property of the proprietor. At the same time, the franchise was also extended to ministers of religion, school head teachers, postmasters, railway stationmasters, and the officer in charge of a police station.<ref name="Community" />

A further extension of the franchise came in 1913, when the qualification of an occupier of a dwelling house was altered to include any inhabitant occupier, whether owner or tenant.<ref name="Community" />

In 1918, the right to vote for members of the upper house was extended to all those who had served in armed forced in the First World War. This was subsequently extended to Second World War veterans in 1940 and in 1969, it was simplified to apply to all Australian war veterans regardless of the war they served in.<ref name="Community" />

In 1969, the franchise was granted to any person who owned or rented property, regardless of the value of the property. Further, the franchise was extended to the wedded spouse of the owner or renter.<ref name="Community" />

Major changes came in 1973 under [[Don Dunstan]]. Dunstan, a social reformist, tired of the council's obstructionist attitude, and put forward bills for its reform. These changes would remove the council's rural bias as well as all restrictions on suffrage (other than the [[age of majority]], though this was lowered from 21 to 18 years). Initially rejected by the council, the reform created a single statewide electorate of 22 members, with 11 being elected each general election. It eventually passed with bipartisan support.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dunstan |first=Don |year=1981 |title=Felicia: The political memoirs of Don Dunstan |publisher=Griffin Press Limited |pages=214–215 |isbn=0-333-33815-4}}</ref>

The new council was designed to be deadlocked, and for a party majority to be hard to gain. Its proportional electoral system proved favourable to minor parties and they have usually held the balance of power. The [[Liberal Movement (Australia)|Liberal Movement]], in 1975, was the first minor party to have members elected to the council, and its successor, the [[Australian Democrats]], held the balance until 1997 when [[No Pokies]] [[Nick Xenophon]] was elected. The [[Family First Party]] and the [[Greens South Australia|Greens]] gained representation in 2002 and 2006 respectively.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/elections/sa/2006/guide/pastelec.htm ABC Elections. Past election results.] Accessed 19-01-2007.</ref>

[[File:South Australian Legislative Council Ballot Paper.png|thumb|left|South Australian Legislative Council ballot paper]]
The proportional system used in 1973 was [[party-list proportional representation]], but this was modified in 1985. The federal government of [[Bob Hawke]] had introduced a new [[single transferable vote]] system for the [[Australian Senate]], enabling voters to choose between voting 'above the line' (for a single party preference ticket that ranked all candidates on the ballot paper in the party's preferred order) or 'below the line' and number all candidates in order of preference, on the ballot paper. The [[John Bannon|Bannon]] state government copied this arrangement for the council.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/elections/sa/2006/guide/lchistory.htm ABC Elections. Legislative Council Background.] Accessed 19-01-2007.</ref>

Following the similar [[Australian Senate|Senate]] changes which took effect from the [[2016 Australian federal election|2016 federal election]], as of the [[2018 South Australian state election|2018 state election]], South Australia's [[single transferable vote]] in the [[proportional representation|proportionally represented]] upper house was changed from [[group voting ticket]]s to [[optional preferential voting]] − instructions for above the line votes are to mark '1' and then further preferences are optional as opposed to preference flows from simply '1' above the line being determined by group voting tickets, while instructions for voters who instead opt to vote below the line are to provide at least 12 preferences as opposed to having to number all candidates, and with a savings provision to admit ballot papers which indicate at least 6 below the line preferences.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170920200803/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2017/08/reform-of-sa-legislative-councils-electoral-system-set-to-pass.html New Electoral System Adopted for the South Australian Legislative Council: Antony Green ABC 9 August 2017]</ref>

==Membership==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Year
! width=50px | 1856
! width=50px | 1881
! width=50px | 1901
! width=50px | 1913
! width=50px | 1973
|-
!Districts
|1
|colspan=2 | 4
|5
|1
|-
!Members
|18
|24
|18
|20
|22
|}

==Distribution of Seats==
{{see|List of South Australian Legislative Councillors}}
Below is the history of the composition of the Legislative Council since the introduction of Proportional Representation at the 1975 election.

===Current===
{{see|2022 South Australian state election}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Party || Seats held
! colspan=9 | Current Council
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 9&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 9 -->
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 7&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
|-
| [[Greens South Australia|Greens]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|One Nation}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|-
| [[SA-Best|SA-BEST]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Nick Xenophon Team}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|-
| Independents (*)
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|}
(*) In December 2023, [[Frank Pangallo]] left the SA-Best party.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/former-journalist-frank-pangallo-quits-sabest-after-falling-out-with-colleague-connie-bonaros/news-story/b85c7468122827313aa7d755fb3c9058|title=Pangallo quits SA-Best after feud erupts}}</ref> [[Jing Lee]]  Resigned from the Liberal Party on 10 January 2025.

At the [[2022 South Australian state election|2022 election]], the eleven seats up for election (the other eleven members had continuing terms) had been held by four [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal]], four [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Labor]], and one each of [[Greens South Australia|Greens]], [[Advance SA]] and an independent. The result elected five Labor, four Liberal, and one each of Greens and [[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]]. Consequently the new Labor government would require an additional three non-government votes to pass legislation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-27/sa-gets-first-one-nation-mp-legislative-council/101017738|title=South Australia gets first One Nation MP with Sarah Game elected to Legislative Council|date=27 April 2022|work=ABC News}}</ref> However, the Liberal [[President of the South Australian Legislative Council|upper house President]] was unexpectedly re-elected to the Presidency, which would give the Labor government nine of 21 seats during votes on the floor, meaning that only an additional two non-government votes are required to pass legislation.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-03/drama-in-sa-parliament-as-liberal-elected-to-top-position/101031466 | title=Drama in SA parliament as Liberal investigated by ICAC returned to top position | newspaper=ABC News | date=3 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/05/03/beggars-belief-labor-coup-sidelines-libs-crossbench/ | title='Beggars belief': Labor coup sidelines Libs, crossbench | date=3 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://antonygreen.com.au/sa-2022-legislative-council-result-finalised/ | title=SA 2022 – Legislative Council Result Finalised – Antony Green's Election Blog | date=27 April 2022 }}</ref>

On 13 May 2025, Tammy Franks resigned from the South Australian Greens and reiterated that she will not contest the [[2026 South Australian state election|next election]]. In her resignation statement, she cited tensions within the party.<ref name="Resignation">{{cite news |access-date=13 May 2025 |date=13 May 2025 |archive-date=13 May 2025 |title=SA Greens MLC Tammy Franks resigns from party, citing 'unfair' behaviour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513034835/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-13/sa-greens-mp-tammy-franks-resign/105286058 |url-status=live |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-13/sa-greens-mp-tammy-franks-resign/105286058}}</ref>

{| class="toccolours" style="table-layout:fixed;"
|-
! colspan="5" style="background:lavender;text-align:center;" |[[Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 2022–2026]]
|-style="background:lavender;text-align:center;"
|-style="background:lavender;text-align:center;"
![[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Labor]] (9)
![[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal]] (8)
![[SA-Best|SA-BEST]] (2)
![[Greens South Australia|Greens SA]] (2)
![[Pauline Hanson's One Nation|One Nation]] (1)
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
| <!-- Labor -->
''elected 2022:'' {{plainlist|
* [[Ian Hunter (politician)|Ian Hunter]]
* [[Kyam Maher]]
* [[Reggie Martin]]
* [[Tung Ngo]]
* [[Russell Wortley]]
}}
| <!-- Liberal -->
''elected 2022:'' {{plainlist|
* [[Nicola Centofanti]]
* [[Laura Curran (Australian politician)|Laura Curran]]
* [[Dennis Hood]]
* [[Michelle Lensink]]
}}
| <!-- SA-BEST -->
| <!-- Greens -->
''elected 2022:'' {{plainlist|
*[[Robert Simms (politician)|Robert Simms]]
}}
|<!-- One Nation-->
''elected 2022:'' {{plainlist|
*[[Sarah Game]]
}}
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
|<!-- Labor -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Emily Bourke]]<br/>
[[Justin Hanson]]<br/>
[[Mira El Dannawi]] ^<br/>
<small>^ Appointed to replace retiring <br /> [[Irene Pnevmatikos]] in Oct 2023&nbsp;</small><br />
[[Clare Scriven]]<br />
| <!-- Liberal -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Heidi Girolamo]] ^<br/>
<small>^ Appointed to replace retiring <br/>[[David Ridgway (politician)|David Ridgway]] in Aug 2021&nbsp;</small><br/>
[[Ben Hood]] ^<br/><small>^ Appointed to replace retiring<br/> [[Stephen Wade (politician)|Stephen Wade]] in Feb 2023</small><br/>
[[Terry Stephens]]<br/>
[[Jing Lee]]^<br/><small>^ Resigned from the Liberal Party<br/> on 10 Jan 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;</small><br/>
| <!-- SA-BEST -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Connie Bonaros]]<br/>
[[Frank Pangallo]] ^<br/><small>^ Resigned from SA Best<br/> on 30 Nov 2023&nbsp;&nbsp;</small><br/>
| <!-- Greens -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Tammy Franks]] ^<br/><small>^ Resigned from Greens<br/> on 13 May 2025&nbsp;&nbsp;</small><br/>
|<!-- One Nation-->
|}

===2018–2022===
{{see|South Australian state election, 2018}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Party || Seats held
! colspan=8 | Current Council
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[SA-Best|SA-BEST]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Nick Xenophon Team}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Nick Xenophon Team}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
|-
| [[Greens South Australia|Greens]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Advance SA]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#10294F | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|-
| Independents (*)
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|}
:(*) [[John Dawkins (South Australian politician)|John Dawkins]] was expelled from the Liberal Party in 2020 after successfully running against the party's nominee for Legislative Council President. This was against the party's rules.<ref name=dawkins>[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-09/sa-legislative-council-president-fallout-continues/12644144 'White-hot anger' sees John Dawkins expelled from SA Liberal Party after taking presidency]</ref>

At the [[2018 South Australian state election|2018 election]], the 11 of 22 seats up for election were 4 [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal]], 4 [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Labor]], 1 [[Greens South Australia|Green]], 1 [[Australian Conservatives|Conservative]] and 1 [[Dignity Party (South Australia)|Dignity]]. The final outcome was 4 Liberal, 4 Labor, 2 [[SA-Best|SA Best]] and 1 Green.<ref name=AntonyFinal>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-04/final-results-of-the-2018-south-australian-election/9612312 Final Results of the 2018 South Australian Election: Antony Green 4 April 2018]</ref><ref>[https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/elections/2018-legislative-council-election-results 2018 Legislative Council election results: ECSA 23 April 2018]</ref><ref name=PB18Mar>[https://www.pollbludger.net/2018/03/18/third-time-lucky-2/ Third time lucky: The Poll Bludger 18 March 2018]</ref> Conservative MLC [[Dennis Hood]], who had been elected as a [[Family First Party|Family First]] MLC in 2014, defected to the Liberals nine days after the 2018 state election.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-26/australian-conservatives-mp-dennis-hood-joins-liberals/9586822 Dennis Hood dumps Cory Bernardi's Australian Conservatives to join SA Liberals: ABC 26 March 2017]</ref><ref>[https://indaily.com.au/news/politics/2018/03/20/didnt-realise-power-family-first-fallen-conservative-rues-botched-re-branding/ "We didn’t realise the power of Family First": Fallen Conservative rues botched re-branding: InDaily 20 March 2018]</ref> [[John Dawkins (South Australian politician)|John Dawkins]] was expelled from the Liberal Party in 2020 after successfully running against the party's nominee for Legislative Council President. This was against the party's rules.<ref name=dawkins /> The 22 seat upper house composition is therefore 8 Liberal on the government benches, 8 Labor on the opposition benches, and 5 to minor parties and 1 independent on the [[Crossbencher|crossbench]], consisting of 2 SA Best, 2 Green, 1 [[Advance SA]] and John Dawkins.<ref name=AntonyFinal/> The government would therefore require at least four additional non-government members to form a majority and carry votes on the floor.<ref>[https://indaily.com.au/news/politics/2018/04/23/theyre-dickheads-darley/ "They're dickheads": Darley kills off power-sharing deal with X-colleagues: InDaily 23 April 2018]</ref>

{| class="toccolours" style="table-layout:fixed;"
|-
! colspan="6" style="background:lavender;text-align:center;" |[[Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 2018–2022]]
|-style="background:lavender;text-align:center;"
![[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal]] (8)
![[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Labor]] (8)
![[SA-Best|SA-BEST]] (2)
![[Greens South Australia|Greens SA]] (2)
![[Advance SA]] (1)
![[Independent politician|Independent]] (1)
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
| <!-- Liberal -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[David Ridgway (politician)|David Ridgway]]<br/>
[[Stephen Wade (politician)|Stephen Wade]]<br/>
[[Terry Stephens]]<br/>
[[Jing Lee]]<br/>

[[Heidi Girolamo]] ^<br/>
<small>^ Appointed to replace retiring <br/>[[David Ridgway (politician)|David Ridgway]] in Aug 2021&nbsp;</small><br/>
| <!-- Labor -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Emily Bourke]]<br/>
[[Justin Hanson]]<br/>
[[Irene Pnevmatikos]]<br/>
[[Clare Scriven]]<br/>
| <!-- SA-BEST -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Connie Bonaros]]<br/>
[[Frank Pangallo]]<br/>
| <!-- Greens -->
''elected 2018:''<br/>
[[Tammy Franks]]<br/>
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
| <!-- Liberal -->
''elected 2014:''<br/>
[[Rob Lucas]]<br/>
[[Michelle Lensink]]<br/>
&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Nicola Centofanti]] ^<br/><small>^ Appointed to replace resigning [[Andrew McLachlan]] in 2020&nbsp;&nbsp;</small><br/>
&nbsp;&nbsp;[[Dennis Hood]] ^<br/><small>^ defected from [[Australian Conservatives|AC]]/[[Family First Party|FFP]] after 2018 election&nbsp;&nbsp;</small>
| <!-- Labor -->
''elected 2014:''<br/>
[[Russell Wortley]]<br/>
[[Ian Hunter (politician)|Ian Hunter]]<br/>
[[Tung Ngo]]<br/>
[[Kyam Maher]]<br/>
|
| <!-- Greens -->
''elected 2014:''<br/>
[[Robert Simms (politician)|Robert Simms]] ^<br/><small>^ Appointed to replace resigning [[Mark Parnell]] in 2021&nbsp;&nbsp;</small><br/>
| <!-- Advance SA -->
''elected 2014:''<br/>
[[John Darley (politician)|John Darley]]<br/>
| <!-- Independent -->
''elected 2014:''<br/>
&nbsp;&nbsp;[[John Dawkins (South Australian politician)|John Dawkins]] ^<br/><small>^ expelled from the [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party]] in 2020&nbsp;&nbsp;</small>
|- style="vertical-align:top; text-align:center;"
|}

===2014–2018===
{{see|South Australian state election, 2014}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! Party || Seats held
! colspan=8 | Current Council
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp; 
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[Greens South Australia|Greens]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Conservatives|Conservatives]]<sup>1</sup>
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
|-
| [[Dignity Party SA|Dignity]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#69359C | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|-
| [[Advance SA]]<sup>2</sup>
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#10294F | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|}

<sup>1</sup> The two Conservative MPs were elected as members of the [[Family First Party]], which merged into the Australian Conservatives in April 2017.
<br /><sup>2</sup> One ex-Independent/[[Nick Xenophon Team]] MP was created a new state political party named [[Advance SA]] in September 2017.

===2010–2014===
{{see|South Australian state election, 2010}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! Party || Seats held
! colspan=8 | 2010 Council
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 7&nbsp; 
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
|-
| [[Greens South Australia|Greens]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Family First Party]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
|-
| [[No Pokies]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
|-
| [[Dignity Party SA|Dignity]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#69359C | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
|}

===2006–2010===
{{for|members 2006–2010|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 2006–2010}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! Party || [[2006 South Australian legislative election|2006]]
! colspan=9 | [[2006 South Australian legislative election|2006 Council]]
! 2009
! colspan=9 | Council @ 2009
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
| &nbsp; <!-- 9 -->
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
| &nbsp; <!-- 9 -->
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
|-
| [[Family First Party]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; <!-- 3 - 9 -->
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
|-
| [[No Pokies]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; <!-- 3 - 9 -->
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Greens South Australia|Greens]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; <!-- 2 - 9 -->
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Greens}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Democrats]] (*)
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; <!-- 2 - 9 -->
| align=right | 0&nbsp;
|-
| Independents (*)
| align=right | 0&nbsp;
| &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; <!-- 1 - 9 -->
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
|}

:(*) [[Sandra Kanck]] was re-elected for a second eight-year term as a Democrat in 2002. In 2009, [[David Winderlich]] replaced Kanck due to her resignation. Later in 2009 Winderlich resigned from the Democrats to sit in parliament as an independent.

===2002–2006===
{{for|members 2002–2006|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 2002–2006}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! Party || Seats held
! colspan=9 | 2002–2006 Council
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 9&nbsp; 
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 8 -->
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp; <!-- 9 -->
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 7&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 1 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 2 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 3 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 4 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 5 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 6 -->
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp; <!-- 7 -->
|-
| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 3&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Family First Party]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Family First}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[No Pokies]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
|-
| Independents (*)
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
|}

:(*) [[Terry Cameron]] had been elected as a Labor member, but had resigned from the party, initially sitting as an independent, and then founding the [[SA First]] party in 1999. He did not face re-election in 2002, but the party disbanded soon after the election, and Cameron subsequently returned to being an independent MLC.

===1997–2002===
{{for|members 1997–2002|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1997–2002}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=10 | 1997–2002 Council
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp; 
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 8&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 3&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[No Pokies]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| bgcolor=#C0C0C0 | &nbsp;
|}

===1993–1997===
{{for|members 1993–1997|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1993–1997}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=11 | 1993–1997 Council
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 11&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 9&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|}

===1989–1993===
{{for|members 1989–1993|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1989–1993}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=11 | 1989–1993 Council
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|}

===1985–1989===
{{for|members 1985–1989|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1985–1989}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=11 | 1985–1989 Council
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|}

===1982–1985===
{{for|members 1982–1985|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1982–1985}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=11 | 1982–1985 Council
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 11&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 9&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|}

===1979–1982===
{{for|members 1979–1982|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1979–1982}}
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=11 | 1979–1982 Council
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 11&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[Australian Democrats]]
| align=right | 1&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Democrats}} | &nbsp;
|}

===1975–1979===
{{for|members 1979–1982|Members of the South Australian Legislative Council, 1975–1979}}
As part of the transitional arrangements associated with the expansion of the Council from 20 members to 22 members, the Council in this period had 21 members.
{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! rowspan=1 | Party
! colspan=1 | Seats held
! rowspan=1 colspan=11 | 1975–1979 Council
|-
| [[Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)|Australian Labor Party]]
| align=right | 10&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Labor}} | &nbsp;
|-
| [[Liberal Party of Australia (South Australian Division)|Liberal Party of Australia]]
| align=right | 9&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal}} | &nbsp;
|-
|| [[Liberal Movement (Australia)|Liberal Movement]]
| align=right | 2&nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal Movement}} | &nbsp;
| {{Australian party style|Liberal Movement}} | &nbsp;
|}

==See also==
*[[2018 South Australian state election]]
*[[List of elections in South Australia]]
*[[List of South Australian Legislative Council appointments]]
*[[List of South Australian Legislative Council by-elections]]
*[[Parliaments of the Australian states and territories]]
*[[2008 Parnell–Bressington filibuster]]
*Lists of [[Members of the South Australian Legislative Council]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal| last = Blewett| first = Neal| title =  Dunstan, the Council, and Electoral Innovation | journal= The Australian Quarterly  |volume= 48 |issue= 3| pages=  83–97 | year = 1976| doi = 10.2307/20634860| jstor = 20634860| url = http://www.jstor.org/stable/20634860 |access-date= 28 July 2020| url-access = subscription}}
* {{cite news| last = Dunstan| first = Don| title =  John Curtin Memorial Lecture: Electoral reform in South Australia | year = 1976| url =https://dspace.flinders.edu.au/xmlui/bitstream/handle/2328/27911/2931.pdf}}
* {{cite book| last1 = Griffith| first1 = Gareth| last2 = Srinivasan| first2 = Sharath| title = State Upper Houses in Australia | publisher =  New South Wales Parliamentary Library Service| year = 2001| url =https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/researchpapers/Documents/state-upper-houses-in-australia/bg01-01.pdf}}
* {{cite news| last = Jaensch| first =  Dean| title =  Community access to the electoral processes in South Australia since 1850 | year = 2002 |publisher= South Australian State Electoral Office| url =http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=479| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308203426/http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=479| archive-date = 8 March 2016}}
* {{cite book| last = Bastoni| first = Jordan| title = Does the South Australian Legislative Council have a future?| publisher =  Democratic Audit of Australia| year = 2006| url =https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2006/10/apo-nid626-1085336.pdf}}
* {{cite book| last = Bastoni| first = Jordan| title = The Upper House Question: South Australian Bicameralism in Comparative Perspective| publisher =  University of Adelaide| year = 2009| url =https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/2440/65137/8/02whole.pdf}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=483 |title=History of South Australian elections 1857-2006, volume 2 |first=Dean |last=Jaensch |author-link=Dean Jaensch |date=1 March 2007 |publisher=[[State Electoral Office of South Australia]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308203512/http://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/publications?view=document&id=483 |access-date=24 June 2020|archive-date=8 March 2016 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/LegislativeCouncil/Pages/LegislativeCouncil.aspx Leglislative Council Homepage]
* [https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/australias-upper-houses/11038996 Australia's Upper Houses - ABC Rear Vision] A podcast about the development of Australia's upper houses into STV proportional representation elected chambers.

{{Parliaments of Australia}}
{{Members of the Parliament of South Australia}}
{{South Australian elections}}
{{Government of South Australia}}

[[Category:Parliament of South Australia]]
[[Category:State upper houses in Australia|South Australia]]
[[Category:1840 establishments in Australia]]