HON. FRANK PANGALLO
Liberal MLC
Candidate for Waite
Injustice warrior and watchdog of the people, for the people
ABOUT FRANK
Frank Pangallo – The People’s Watchdog for Waite
Frank Pangallo is a fearless advocate for integrity, justice and accountability — values he’s championed throughout his career as an investigative journalist and now in Parliament.
Since entering the South Australian Legislative Council in 2018, Frank has delivered real results, including world-first laws mandating life-saving defibrillators in public places.
He’s tackled critical issues such as crime, justice, health, aged care, housing affordability, consumer protection and government transparency and accountability.
Frank isn’t afraid to ask the tough questions — and question the answers. His trademark tenacity has taken him across South Australia, Australia, and beyond in pursuit of justice for everyday people.
Before politics, Frank was a household name as a hard-hitting reporter and producer on Today Tonight, backed by a decorated career in print, radio and television journalism.
Frank and his wife Angela - a recipient of the Order of Australia and Mitcham Citizen of the Year - have lived in the Waite electorate for over 30 years.
They raised their family in Waite and are deeply invested in the future of the community.
Frank knows Waite’s challenges - from poor road conditions, the ongoing Blackwood roundabout debacle, transport failures and Local Council governance, expenditure and escalating rates - and he’s committed to delivering practical solutions for families, businesses, senior citizens, veterans and young people.
He will also work tirelessly to keep the doors open at Bedford Industries.
As part of Vincent Tarzia’s Liberal team, Frank is ready to keep fighting for Waite — and for you.
Frank became an Independent Member of the Legislative Council in December 2023 after initially being elected at the 2018 state election under the SA-BEST banner established by Nick Xenophon.
He was born, raised and educated in Adelaide’s western suburbs to Italian Australian immigrant parents who worked hard to give their children the opportunities they did not have.
He has been married to Angela for 30 years and is a father of three, and a grandfather of two.
Frank has brought to his role as an MLC an in-depth understanding of the issues facing South Australians, having worked in the media for over five decades as a national and state TV current affairs executive producer and investigative reporter, newspaper editor, print journalist and radio broadcaster.
He has a love of sport and was an outspoken supporter of the return of the Supercars – now the Vailo Adelaide 500 - to the streets of Adelaide.
Frank has maintained the reputation of a fearless crusader for the “underdog” and an advocate for social justice he earned in the media.
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As a Member of the Legislative Council, Frank’s reputation for courageously driving change and tackling the hard issues has continued.
His track record over the past seven years speaks for itself and is testimony to his hard work, determination and commitment to the people he was elected to serve.
He has successfully introduced a number of Private Member’s Bills to better protect consumers as well as provide better protections and safety benefits for our front-line emergency services workers.
He Chaired Parliament’s Crime and Public Integrity Policy Committee which has tackled complex and controversial issues concerning the public sector, police and parliamentary accountability.
Frank was a catalyst for an inquiry into the Attorney-General and Planning Minister’s rejection of the Smith Bay deep-sea port proposal on Kangaroo Island. The final report into that matter confirmed Frank’s serious concerns about the assessment and approval process.
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Some of his achievements have been very hard won, including securing 100% support of the Legislative Council and the House of Assembly for his Independent Commission Against Corruption Amendment Bill, which substantially reformed our corruption watchdog in this state to refocus its functions, better pursue corruption, maladministration and misconduct, with greater accountability and less harm and damage to those wrongly accused.
Frank has persistently asked the hard questions in the Legislative Council on critical issues such as health, aged care, transport and government accountability and transparency.
His actions have led to a number of aged care and nursing homes improving their care and treatment of the aged.
Some of his quiet achievements are lesser known but nonetheless just as significant for the families or individuals involved.
This includes being a fierce and outspoken advocate for the devastated Jenkins family whose wife, mother and grandmother, Adelaide woman, Annapuranee Jenkins, was abducted and murdered in Penang, Malaysia in 2017 – and who have been fighting incompetent authorities in Malaysia for justice ever since!
But Frank still has much to achieve in the lead up to the 2026 State election – and hopefully beyond - with an ambitious legislative agenda including Private Member’s Bills dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in emergency service occupations, CCTV cameras in aged care facilities, separate reforms to the retirement village and funeral industries, and reforms to the Parole Board to give victims of crime access to critical information.
In recent months I have been considering a range of options that will give me the best opportunity to continue to serve the people of South Australia and help make this state reach its full potential, while keeping the arrogant Malinauskas Government accountable.
I believe standing as the Liberals candidate for Waite gives me the best opportunity to achieve that.
Too many people feel they’re falling behind. I’m not here to make excuses — I’m here to get results. Waite needs a fearless watchdog, and that’s exactly what I’ll be.