The election of Jason Virgo to the South Australian Parliament under the One Nation banner surprised many observers who remember him as a visible ally of the LGBTQIA+ movement. As a former organiser with Equal Love and a candidate for the Australian Sex Party, Virgo’s earlier activism included public rallies and a high-profile appearance during the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex-phobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). His recent victory in the seat of MacKillop came amid a broader One Nation surge in the state, a result that juxtaposes his past campaigning with the party’s established positions on social issues. The outcome has prompted immediate discussion about continuity, change and representation for his constituents.
Personal and political background
Virgo’s pathway to parliament is marked by several shifts in affiliation and public roles. He first joined the Australian Labor Party as a teenager, later stood as a candidate for the Australian Sex Party in 2010 and 2013, and served locally on the Mount Gambier City Council before contesting state parliament. Outside politics he has worked in security roles and at an immigration detention facility, studied communications and been training as a mortgage broker. Those diverse experiences feed into how he frames his public change, arguing that youthful activism differs from his present priorities. Still, his record as an organiser for marriage equality remains a focal point for community interest and media questions.
How the election unfolded
The South Australian vote delivered a mixed political picture: a broad win for Labor at state level coincided with a record result for One Nation in regional and upper house contests. In MacKillop, a seat long held by the Liberals, Virgo overturned a substantial margin to defeat incumbent Rebekah Rosser after a tight count. Party leaders including Cory Bernardi also secured places in the Legislative Council, reinforcing One Nation’s newfound foothold. That success has intensified scrutiny of individual victors like Virgo, since the party’s platform has frequently included opposition to various reforms affecting rainbow families and transgender rights, making the presence of a former equality campaigner inside One Nation especially notable.
Questions and reactions
Community concerns
Members of the LGBTQIA+ community and civil society groups have reacted with confusion and concern to Virgo’s election on a One Nation ticket. Activists and former allies note his previous role organising same-sex wedding events and public rallies in the campaign for marriage equality, and many are seeking clarification about whether his views have shifted on core rights issues. Former Australian Sex Party figures expressed surprise at his political migration, while some conservative figures have openly demanded that he state whether he shares One Nation’s stance on matters such as family policy and gender in schools. Virgo’s relative silence to date has only amplified calls for transparency from those directly affected.
Political responses
Responses from politicians have been mixed and sometimes pointed. One Nation colleagues celebrated the party’s gains and described internal unity, with public references to personal rapport between Virgo and state leader Cory Bernardi. Meanwhile, conservative activists like Lyle Shelton — a longtime campaigner against marriage equality who now represents Family First — have pressed Virgo for explicit commitments on social policy, questioning whether One Nation might be becoming ambiguous on these issues. The juxtaposition of Virgo’s equality credentials with Bernardi’s past comments linking reform to extreme examples has produced sharp commentary and a demand for clarity about where the new MP stands.
Looking ahead: representation and accountability
For voters in MacKillop and observers across South Australia, the central issue now is how Virgo will translate his campaign promises into parliamentary action. He has emphasised local priorities and criticised complacency about the electorate, framing his move as a focus on constituency service. Nevertheless, advocacy groups and political opponents alike will expect him to outline positions on LGBTQIA+ rights and related social questions. The coming months will likely bring requests for interviews, formal policy statements and scrutiny of his voting record, offering a clearer picture of whether his views have evolved or whether his election signals a broader shift in party alignments and messaging.