Who is Stephen Pallaras?
Stephen Pallaras KC, former Director of Public Prosecutions for South Australia has over 40 years’ experience in criminal law. He has worked as a defence counsel, prosecutor and Supreme Court judge. Stephen has practised in three Australian States and a number of countries internationally where his contributions to criminal justice have been recognised.
During his time as DPP he became known for his fearless commitment to justice, even when it meant challenging the Government. Stephen was instrumental in calling for the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption and tougher anti-bikie legislation.
He is a fierce campaigner against domestic violence and for women’s rights. During his time working in the Solomon Islands he came to be known as the Human Rights Champion of the Pacific. Stephen has been married to wife Stacey for 45 years and is a father and grandfather.
His grandparents were among the first Greeks to migrate to Australia in the 1890s, settling in Port Pirie. Stephen is a keen bouzouki player and loves his Greek music.
Why is Stephen running?
Stephen is tired of some politicians who are in it for themselves. He is tired of inaction on domestic violence and fixing ambulance ramping. Like you, he is tired of broken promises.
He knows what changes to law are needed to make the justice system fairer to victims of domestic violence, particularly women and children and he knows he can make a difference for a better and fairer South Australia by entering parliament.
Stephen is running to represent all of South Australia in the Upper House of Parliament, the Legislative Council. If elected he will have the power to propose new laws himself, especially to support women facing domestic violence and to improve the justice system.
Known for his integrity and fearlessness, he will hold the government accountable and ensure laws serve the community, not politicians.
Because the major parties have altered electoral laws making it almost impossible for independent candidates to be elected, Stephen has had to form a new political party, Stephen Pallaras Real Change SA, to have any chance of being elected. If elected, he will work with politicians to get important changes through the parliament.
What are Stephen’s Key Priorities?
“We need politicians to be accountable. I’m tired of all the broken promises and politicians prioritising what’s best for them over what’s best for the community, who fail to prioritise the most urgent needs of the South Australian community. We have major issues that need to be addressed, like the drought, housing affordability, cost of living, the health system and ambulance ramping and most importantly, domestic violence. Who is doing anything about these critical issues in our State? Ambulance ramping has not been fixed, no matter how many skewed statistics the politicians throw at us.
Meanwhile, they have all but destroyed the Independent Commission Against Corruption, so that they themselves, the politicians, are beyond its reach. Did you know that every member of parliament voted for this change? At the same time, they have passed legislation that allows established political parties to dig deeper into the public purse to fund their election campaigns, making it harder for newcomers, all under the guise of “capping electoral donations”.
I was never afraid to speak out when I was DPP and if elected, as your voice in the Parliament, I intend to do so again!”
– Stephen Pallaras
Stephen’s Key Policies
Stephen sees the urgency of tackling domestic violence. He advocates for strengthening intervention orders, ensuring perpetrators—not victims—are removed from their homes. He proposes additional educational programs in schools to raise awareness and specialised police units and courts to respond immediately and effectively to such incidents.
Stephen believes that much more can be done to improve housing afforability in South Australia. This would include a tradies relocation bonus, effective commercial-to-residential adaptation grants and reasonable time-limits on how long a property can remain vacant without being sold or redeveloped. He has stood up for renters unfairly affected by meth contamination and is unimpressed by the government’s inaction to protect renters.
Protection of the Most Vulnerable
South Australia’s child protection and foster care system needs a complete overhaul, not tinkering around the edges. Stephen believes reform must include input from parents and experienced foster carers, who best understand its flaws. Aged care is also a pressing issue. Families still struggle with high costs and reports of abuse in care facilities, even as media attention fades.
Stephen has been a vocal opponent of parole and says it should be abolished. “Prisoners should serve their full sentences, with extensions for people who misbehave in jail, instead of being granted early release for good behaviour. This will improve public safety by preventing repeat offences being committed by people out on parole.
Cost of Living
Stephen wants to ensure that consumers get a fair go with better regulated price changes at the petrol bowser and the supermarket. Petrol price changes and the steeply rising cost of groceries have been ignored by local politicians. Social housing projects should be fast-tracked and there should be better incentives for affordable rentals and careful disincentives for short-term rentals.
Justice System Reform
Recognising the challenges within the criminal justice system, Stephen seeks to make it more accessible and equitable, particularly for women. His proposals include revising the way rape trials are held to ensure fairness and improve outcomes for victims.
Stephen is committed to strengthening the justice system so it better supports victims and delivers fair outcomes. Proposed reforms include clarifying consent laws, improving how juries are guided in sexual assault cases, reducing unnecessary trauma for victims during court processes, and providing victims with access to legal representation.
Stephen believes those who damage our environment must be held accountable. The policy supports stronger environmental laws, higher penalties for polluters, and a genuine “polluter pays” approach that ensures those responsible fund clean-up efforts. His reforms aim to protect South Australia’s waterways, environment and communities.
Stephen believes victims deserve protection, communities deserve safety and offenders must be held accountable. But automatic detention policies promoted by the major parties are blunt instruments that often make communities less safe. He supports a smarter, evidence-based youth justice system focused on reducing re-offending and protecting the community.
Stephen supports a clear, prevention-first approach that focuses on early intervention, consistent standards and stronger protection for victims. The policy will clearly define bullying, require institutions to act when behaviour first emerges and ensure safe reporting and support pathways.
