CRAIG HASLAM INDEPENDENT FOR FLINDERS
MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 1 December 2025
Eyre Peninsula tourism operator Craig “Hassie” Haslam has announced he will run as an independent candidate for Flinders at the March 2026 South Australian state election.
Mr Haslam said he had put his hand up because the region is not getting the attention it deserves from the government.
“We’ve been a safe seat for too long, and the major parties have ignored us,” he said. “I’m putting my hand up to change that.”
Craig brings experience in tourism, local government, regional development and transport, and has built and run several successful Eyre Peninsula businesses.
Now based in Port Lincoln, the former Port Kenny Hotel publican and eco-accommodation business owner has worked in government and community roles across the Eyre Peninsula, including with the Australian Sports Commission, the Regional Development Board and in local government. He’s been a sports coach, a Justice of the Peace, and a business mentor.
“I understand the day-to-day realities of keeping a regional business and a regional community moving. I’m approachable, inclusive, I’ll listen, and I'll make balanced, measured decisions. If our region wants a representative who will work with them to deliver practical outcomes for our towns, our people and our natural places, that’s the work I’ve done for decades, and it’s what I’ll keep doing as the Independent for Flinders.”
Mr Haslam recently appointed a General Manager to lead his successful national tourism business, Untamed Escapes, freeing him to step aside and contest the seat, dedicating the next four months to listening to communities across the electorate.
“As a proud husband, father and grandparent, I want to see our towns grow, our economy diversify, and our beautiful natural landscapes preserved for current and future generations to enjoy.
To achieve this, we need government to work alongside us to make sure we have the infrastructure and services to support growth, and investment into local programs that support local people with local training and local jobs.
I’m about honest leadership, straight talk and decisions made with us, not for us, so our region has the services, jobs and support it needs for the future.”
Former federal Independent candidate Anita Kuss said she fully supports Mr Haslam’s run at politics.
“I’ve known Hassie for over 20 years, since we both worked in local government together on Eyre Peninsula, so I was stoked when he said he was running as an Independent.” Ms. Kuss said. “He’s fiercely passionate about this region, and when he takes something on, he gives it absolutely everything. For him, politics isn’t about power and ego, it’s about people.”
