In front of more than a thousand supporters, Jing Lee has officially launched her re-election campaign under a new banner — Better Community — marking a defining moment in her fifteen-year journey serving South Australians. The event, attended by registered guests and dozens of volunteers, showcased the groundswell of support around her renewed mission: building a better community, a safer society and a stronger economy.
Reflecting on her long-standing connection with the community, Lee spoke openly about the challenges and triumphs shared over the past decade and a half. “During the pandemic, and the drought, and the bushfire… I’ve been with you 365 days for the last 15 years,” she said, emphasising how these experiences fortified her commitment to public service. Becoming an independent earlier this year was a pivotal moment, but she said it was the community that urged her to continue. “It was you standing beside me, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart… to let me know that you still need me in Parliament to keep government accountable.”
Her new movement, Jing Lee Better Community, will appear above the line on the Legislative Council ballot — a change she says will make it easier for voters to identify her and understand her platform.
Outlining her vision, Lee introduced her three foundational pillars: Better Services, Safer Society, and a Stronger Economy. Central to her priorities is easing cost-of-living pressures, something she says she hears about “every single day” from families, business owners and individuals trying to keep their households afloat. She highlighted the struggles of local businesses navigating compliance burdens, high taxes and rising operating costs, committing to advocate for reduced red tape and more supportive conditions to help them grow.
Lee also emphasised the importance of upskilling and recognising international talent to bolster workforce capacity — a key driver, she says, in strengthening South Australia’s competitiveness on the world stage. “We need to upskill people… to actually recognise international talents in South Australia so that they can have better opportunities to contribute back to our industry.”
A significant part of her message focused on protecting the state’s most vulnerable — including seniors experiencing abuse, children in a failing protection system, and women fleeing domestic violence. She reaffirmed her commitment to championing policies that ensure everyone feels safe “in their neighbourhood, in the workplace, and around our community.”
Despite running as a single-member party, Lee said she has never felt alone. She described her supporters as the driving force behind her campaign, injecting “energy, advice and guidance” into her work. She also paid heartfelt tribute to her small but dedicated team, her volunteers, and her family — especially her husband Eddie. With signature humour and affection, she said, “He is like the lighthouse, and I’m the speedboat… the lighthouse has to beam to bring me home.”
As the campaign enters the final 100 days before the March 2026 election, Lee urged the community to carry the message forward. “I want you… to spread the news, share with everyone about this new platform of putting community first above politics,” she said, positioning herself as the “independent, alternative choice going forward to be the strong positive change for South Australia.”
