Daniel Wills: Nick Xenophon’s knack for success will hurt Labor, Liberal

ANALYSIS: Before he has named a candidate, released a policy or even confirmed he will run a team of state election candidates, independent Nick Xenophon has the support of one in four voters.

• Poll shows massive support for Xenophon team

BEFORE he has named a candidate, released a policy or even confirmed he will run a team of state election candidates, independent Nick Xenophon has the support of one in four voters.

This poll is a screaming repudiation of our existing political class, and threat of revolution.

It depicts a state that has lost faith in a Labor government which oversaw the emergence of an unemployment crisis, and has no confidence in the Liberal Opposition to do any better.

It also comes as a warning to both parties that simply being better than a pathetic alternative might not be enough to secure power in two years time. Voters are so sickened by what has been served up that they want to embrace an outsider who can turn the entire sideshow upside down.

This same phenomenon is fuelling Trumps, Sanderses, Palmers and Le Pens around the globe.

In South Australia, a place where it often feels like success has been achieved despite political leadership rather than because of it, the anger seems as sharp as anywhere in the world.

If these numbers were replicated at the ballot box, Senator Xenophon’s ragtag party would likely take the balance of power and could even become the major Opposition party.

State Parliament resumes today after a two-month summer holiday, as the major parties mud wrestle over old issues like planning reform and wait for a resolution on the nuclear industry.

The challenge for each of them, as we pass the halfway mark of the four-year state election cycle, is to convince voters they remain relevant and have a vision for SA’s restoration.

Premier Jay Weatherill has promised this will be a “year of action”. He will be held to that.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall has promised “positive plans” in 2016. Let’s have them.

Right now, “undecided” is the candidate for premier who commands most popular momentum.

A lot will happen between now and the state election. Senator Xenophon’s candidates will come under immense scrutiny, a subs decision will be made and the major parties will sharpen their attacks on a man who has never been in executive government and left SA Parliament in 2007.

But if the no-pokies campaigner accepts the challenge in two years time and takes on the established parties in an election to decide SA’s next government, all bets will be off.