MEDIA RELEASE: Local Renter, Ahmed Azhar, Takes on the Premier in Croydon

Local Renter, Ahmed Azhar, Takes on the Premier in Croydon

19 January 2026

A local renter and prominent Pro-Palestine activist, Ahmed Azhar, has announced he will run in the seat of Croydon, mounting a grassroots challenge against sitting South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Azhar has been a regular MC for Adelaide’s pro-Palestine movement for more than two years. In late 2025, he was arrested following a peaceful protest in Rundle Mall and spent 17 hours in custody under South Australia’s draconian anti-protest laws - legislation introduced by the Malinauskas Government.

If elected, Azhar, a member of SA Socialists, will push to end subsidies to the weapons industry, reverse energy privatisation, implement a rent freeze and put politicians on an average worker’s wage.

Quotes Attributable to Ahmed Azhar, Independent Candidate for Croydon:

While the Premier indulges in racist culture wars and destroying Adelaide’s Writers Week, I’ve been knocking on doors across the community. People are fed up with Labor. The Malinauskas Government was elected on the promise of fixing ramping and bringing down the cost of living, but while banks and big corporations rake in profits, life has only gotten harder for everyday people.

I’m running because I know South Australia can be a place where everyone has what they need to live a decent life. There is no reason that, while millions of dollars are poured into weapons companies, or fossil fuel giants like Santos dodge their taxes, a single person shouldn’t have a home.

I’m taking on the billionaires, I’m taking on the big corporations, and I’m taking on the major parties that have served them year after year. There is no reason in a state as wealthy as ours that families should have to choose between buying groceries or seeing a doctor.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Ahmed on 0433 196 160