Greg Powell, Finniss

Recently retired premium wine producer Greg Powell knows firsthand the importance of strong primary industries and tourism on the Fleurieu Peninsula, where he has lived since the 1990s. He is now seeking to represent the region in Parliament as One Nation’s candidate for the seat of Finniss at the 2026 South Australian election.

Primary industries in the region — particularly wine, livestock, and dairy — are at a crossroads. The Fleurieu boasts fertile soils, relatively high rainfall, and close proximity to export terminals in Adelaide. However, the global wine market is in significant decline. There is no local abattoir to process the region’s premium lamb and beef, and some local roads are unable to accommodate B-double trucks, limiting farmers’ access to more efficient freight options.

The local dairy industry is struggling under Labor’s record electricity prices. Looming over all of this is a potentially disastrous bid for UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Mount Lofty Ranges — a proposal still being pursued by the Labor state government with the support of compliant local councils.

“I’ve got a lot of experience in agricultural industries — not just as a wine producer, but also through my work with one of Australia’s largest and oldest agricultural companies,” Greg says. “I will always support the growers and farmers of Finniss and do everything I can to ensure they can thrive and prosper.”

Greg, 68, has also been deeply concerned by the impact of South Australia’s algal bloom disaster on Finniss — the area where the problem first emerged.

“The economy of the Fleurieu and the South Coast relies heavily on tourism and recreational fishing, but the bloom, along with Labor’s poor response, is hitting these sectors hard,” he says. “Instead of imposing even harsher restrictions on the state’s 300,000 recreational fishers, those restrictions should be eased. The recreational fishing sector contributes around $1 billion annually to South Australia’s economy and can play a vital role in helping coastal communities recover. One Nation supports the right to fish.”

“I’m also backing One Nation’s call for a full Parliamentary inquiry into the real causes of the bloom, how best to support affected communities, and what prevention or mitigation measures can be put in place for the future. We should explore every option to ensure this never happens again — or that we know how to fix it if it does.”

Since retiring, Greg has become a keen observer of politics.

“People in this region — and across the country — are starting to wake up to the true agendas of the major parties,” he says. “Policies at federal, state, and local government levels consistently put Australians last and fail to reflect what voters actually want.”

“I’m a strong supporter of One Nation’s plan to reform local government, restore democracy to councils, and lower rates. We want to put ratepayers back in charge.”

“I also want to put the voters of Finniss back in charge. The politicians who have been running South Australia into the ground need to be held to account. I’m putting my hand up for One Nation in Finniss because this community deserves a representative who will always put their interests first.”