The SA Liberals suffered a humiliating and record loss, reduced to single digits, with perhaps as few as six seats in the lower house.

Party insiders told The Australia Today that Heath secured 59 votes to Smethurst’s 31, giving the conservative right faction member a decisive victory.

“It’s been 2.5 years since I was elected to Parliament. What has surprised me most is the nastiness in the Chamber.”

Petrol prices in Australia’s five largest cities averaged about $2.19 a litre last week, while diesel was above $2.40 a litre on average.

Overall offending is rising, youth offenders remain heavily over-represented in serious street crimes, and car theft has reached its highest level in more than two decades.

If an objection is lodged, it falls to the state’s electoral commissioner to judge whether the material is inaccurate or misleading.

Welcoming the Danish monarchs during their official visit to Australia, PM Albanese said the trip marked the King’s first to the country since his accession and reflected a longstanding relationship grounded in shared democratic values and common global challenges.

One Nation on 24 per cent and the Liberals on 14 per cent, prompting analysts to question whether the Liberals could hold seats if those numbers were replicated on election day.

Dr Rahman released a statement earlier this week defending his professional record and noting he was considering legal action over media coverage of the allegations.

Canavan’s first electoral test will come quickly, with the Nationals preparing for the Farrer by-election in May, which was triggered by the resignation of former Liberal leader Sussan Ley.