STATE ELECTIONS: SA’S THREE-PARTY CONTEST AND TASMANIA’S CONCERNS FOR A FUTURE HUNG PARLIAMENT

The SA election campaign has kicked off and we will be watching the state closely for the next month, with the election to be held on 17 March.

Following Nick Xenophon’s popularity, the margins in the 47 electorates are not as predictable as they once were. Mr Xenophon’s party, SA Best, can win the balance of power if its state-wide vote, and preference flows, go their way. Central to the election will be the seat of Hartley which currently holds a 3.1 per cent margin for sitting Liberal MP, Vincent Tarzia. Also running in the seat is Nick Xenophon and Labor member Grace Portolesi?—?the Hartley seat represents an overarching theme of the election: three major contenders for an historically two-party contest.

Incumbent Labor Premier Jay Weatherill has propelled energy security to the centre of the state’s campaign dialogue. Committing Labor to a 75 per cent renewable energy target by 2025, the Weatherill Government already sources an average of 48.9 per cent of its energy from renewables. Mr Weatherill plans to use $20 million over four years to leverage private sector investment in extra storage, with Germany Company Sonnen already announcing a battery manufacturing centre and corporate HQ to be set up in Adelaide. Liberal leader Steven Marshall has vowed to scrap the renewable target, citing South Australia as the State with the highest power prices in Australia?—?he has contrasted Labor’s plans for self-sufficiency with the Liberal promise for interconnectivity with other states.

Tasmanians will also be heading to the polls on March 3 to determine whether Liberal Premier Will Hodgman will be able to retain his majority and become the second only Liberal Premier re-elected majority government. The Liberal Party holds 15 of the 25 seats and the loss of only three seats would lead to minority government, which could mean another period of a hung parliament.

For those interested what the bookies are thinking here are Friday afternoon’s odds.

South Australian Election odds thanks to TAB:

Labor $2.30

SA Best $2.70

Liberals $3.25

Tasmanian Election odds thanks to TAB:

Liberal $1.85

Labor $1.95

Any other party $21.0