The Committee for Adelaide is calling for ambitious and inclusive action to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all South Australians becomes a central focus of the 2026 State Election agenda.

While our State has many strengths, members and stakeholders have voiced concern about increasing pressure on the healthcare system, ageing demographics, youth disengagement and the risk of rising inequality undermining community wellbeing.

As part of its 2026 State Election Priorities, the Committee is advocating for the following health and wellbeing actions to be adopted in the lead up to and beyond the March election:

• Advocate and work closely with the Federal Government to pilot a new innovative approach to healthcare and aged-care funding that better aligns funding cycles to community health needs and enables strategic and agile investment to be allocated by the State, as and when needed, to address key pressure areas.
• Commit to providing a capital investment into technology, data systems and innovation across the public health system to streamline tasks, provide timely and flexible access to health care information and services and enhance patient care.
• Continue to prioritise preventative care and early intervention, including screenings, vaccinations, mental health support, physical exercise programs and education across the community to help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health and wellbeing.
• Implement a permanent ‘Youth Voice to Parliament’ to ensure young people’s views are heard and considered in decision-making and that the unique health and wellbeing needs of young people are considered and addressed.
• Continue to provide cost of living relief for those who need it most, including concession payments, school vouchers and subsidies, and explore the introduction of a low-cost ‘Buy SA’ food and produce program.
• Provide safe, welcoming and inclusive ‘third spaces’ within the community including in schools, community centres, retail and hospitality precincts and other public areas to encourage face-to-face social connection and tackle loneliness and isolation.

The Committee’s 2025 Benchmarking Adelaide Report ranked Adelaide as 9^th out of 20 peer cities for liveability, affordability and wellbeing. While South Australians are living longer and are more physically active than the Australian average, the number of South Australians aged over 75 is set to increase by around 50% by 2040, placing increased demand on an already stretched public health system and aged care sector.

Concerningly, 27.7% of South Australians experience persistent loneliness, comparing unfavourably with other states and underlining the importance of investments in social infrastructure and third spaces.

“Strong communities require a strong health and wellbeing foundation. Our health system is world-class in crisis response, but we must invest more in digital innovation, prevention and early intervention if we’re to build a truly sustainable model, said Sam Dighton, CEO of the Committee for Adelaide.

“We must ensure our systems are proactive, not just reactive, and that wellbeing is built into our economy, our cities and our society for the long-term.”

“Health and wellbeing is not simply a service to manage; it’s the foundation upon which our state will succeed. By investing in prevention, equity and wellbeing, we lay the groundwork for a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable South Australia.”

“The Committee for Adelaide calls on all parties contesting the 2026 election to commit to long-term, cross-sectoral strategies involving governance, funding and partnerships that deliver real improvement in the lives of South Australians, now and into the future.”

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Click here for the Committee for Adelaide’s 2026 State Election Priorities.

Click here for the 2025 Benchmarking Adelaide Report.