KEY ISSUES AT THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ELECTION:
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POWER
Since the statewide blackout in 2016, energy issues have dominated politics in SA. The state government has embraced an ambitious renewable energy plan but the state still suffers from some of the highest energy prices in the country.
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JOBS
South Australia has been hit hard with business closures and job losses, culminating with the demise of car producer Holden last year. The Labor government says job creation is its top priority and it's managed to cut unemployment. But the Liberals say their strategy to encourage business investment is a better way and those struggling to find work may agree.
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HEALTH
The opening of the $2.3 billion Royal Adelaide Hospital was significant in Labor's controversial transforming health plan. The government has drawn a line under the reforms and called them a success but Opposition Leader Steven Marshall has promised to reverse some of the measures.
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USE-BY DATE
Labor is attempting to win a record fifth term in office to extend its hold on the government benches to 20 years. The party has only had two leaders in all that time, Mike Rann and Jay Weatherill. History would suggest many voters will simply be looking for a change on March 17.
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GOVERNMENT SCANDALS
Premier Jay Weatherill's government has been forced to carefully navigate a number of scandals since the last election. The abuse of children in state care and the poor treatment of nursing home residents are the foremost among them. It remains to be seen if they will still be issues weighing on the minds of voters next month.
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NICK XENOPHON
He's not just a candidate and leader of his own party, Nick Xenophon also looms over the election as an issue in his own right. How much of the vote will he and his candidates get? How will his presence shape the next government? And what will his performance mean for power-sharing heading into the future?
Australian Associated Press
