SA leaders debate: Xenophon, Weatherill and Marshall rated by our political experts
IT was the debate which acted as the unofficial launch to the 2018 state election campaign. Our experts rate the performances of Jay Weatherill, Steven Marshall and Nick Xenophon. But what do you think of their performances - VOTE NOW
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IT was the debate which acted as the unofficial launch to the 2018 state election campaign.
Premier Jay Weatherill, opposition leader Steven Marshall and SA Best leader Nick Xenophon went head-to-head today at the SA Press Club, 43 days from the election.
Here’s how our experts rated their performances:
PAUL STARICK
Weatherill: Muscled up to Nick Xenophon, applied the blowtorch and landed some telling blows. 7/10
Marshall: Best-argued debate speech, mixing optimism, government criticism and detailed policy argument 6.5/10
Xenophon: On the back foot when under attack from Premier and, lacking detailed policy, left wanting for a prescription to fix what he argues is a political crisis. 5/10
Winner: Premier Jay Weatherill’s performance likely will have more impact than Mr Marshall’s come March 17, because he started tearing apart Nick Xenophon’s popularity, accusing him of breaking promises and lacking policy.
LAUREN NOVAK
Weatherill: The consummate debator with cutting one-liners as always. Seemed at times a little dismissive or bored on stage. Got the most response from the room. 6/10.
Marshall: More relaxed than usual. Hit the points he wants voters to hear, unleashing a more user-friendly “more jobs, lower costs, better services” slogan we should expect to hear ad nauseam until voting day. 6.5/10
Xenophon: Rushed and almost nervous out of the blocks. Set timelines to be held to on releasing policies, but still light on detail and left voters with lingering questions. 5.5/10
Winner: None set the world on fire, but Marshall by a whisker. We’ve heard most if it before. Expecting a more inspiring show next time.
PODCAST: OFF THE RECORD: EPISODE 1
ADAM LANGENBERG
Weatherill: Super combative. Jousted incessantly with Steven Marshall and Nick Xenophon, but didn’t tell voters anything new. 5/10
Xenophon: Played up role as an election spoiler but dodged tough questions about what might happen if SA Best wins majority of seats. 4.5/10
Marshall: Similar talking points to Xenophon, and struggled to stand out. 4.5/10
Winner: Weatherill, but only just. It was an even scrap that left voters with lots of unanswered questions. Weatherill’s aggression the only key departure from the status quo.
BRAD CROUCH
Weatherill: Labouring, bit rattled, distraction of X undercut some good if questionable messages, as a lawyer is a polished debater. 6/10
Marshall: Reliance on ‘more jobs, lower costs’ cliches was naff, improved as relaxed. 6/10
Xenophon: Plenty of sizzle, still not much steak, channelling ghost of Don ‘keep bastards honest’ Chipp without anything concrete. 3/10
Winner: Weatherill by having office of Premier, just.
MICHAEL MCGUIRE
Jay Weatherill: Unusually edgy and shouty as he tried to dominate proceedings and impose himself as the king of the day but sometimes looks annoyed at being at the debate. 6/10
Steven Marshall: Started his speech parroting all his usual talking points — tired government, reset for SA. Loosened up as it went on but sometimes lost on argy-bargy between Weatherill and Xenophon. 5/10
Nick Xenophon: Did what you would expect. Skirted around the usual issues and blamed Labor and Liberal for the ills of the world. Wouldn’t have cost him any votes. 6/10
Winner. As a precursor to the next six weeks it was overwhelmingly depressing. In football terms a nil-all draw. Flashes of excitement but nothing decisive.
RENATO CASTELLO
Weatherill: Tactical — came out swinging playing the man and extolling party’s record on jobs. Shrewd strategy to typecast Liberal and SA Best as same party. Overuse of ‘world-class’ to describe health system 6.5/10
Marshall: Focussed early on ‘dysfunction’ in Labor Party citing health and Oakden. Played to business powerhouses in the room by emphasising party’s focus on lowering taxes and growing exports. Still needs more mongrel 6/10
Xenophon: Seemed underprepared. Opening speech was flat and without energy. No defining statements on policy and appeared rattled by Weatherill’s vow to keep him accountable 4/10
Winner: Weatherill. Was more polished, avoided being drawn onto Government failings and attack on rivals and in particular Xenophon smart tactic.
ERIN JONES
Weatherill: He entered the debate, passionate and fiery outlining how the Liberals were seen as “hopeless” and “when has a bad opposition made a good government?”. He says Xenophon leads voters astray, while Labor will focus on jobs and keeping people in the state with new industry. But will another term deliver these promises? 7/10
Marshall: He was calm and clear in his delivery, if successful, the party will deliver more jobs, better services and lower cost. A large focus on keeping people in SA. The sledging match between major political parties continued. Was there anything new in the address? 7/10
Xenophon: The underdog has refused to budge on letting the public know his policies only 43 days out from the election. He’s promising a shake-up to the election, but with little to base a vote on, it’s a 5/10
Winner: It’s a draw between Marshall and Jay, they still have 43 days to impress us with new policies.
PENELOPE DEBELLE
Weatherill: The gloves were off and Jay stepped into the ring to say the Liberals were hopeless and Nick couldn’t handle the pressure – only he has the stomach to lead. 8/10
Xenophon: High speed pitch for balance of power from SA Best start-up from the sweet spot of a third party offering change. 7/10
Marshall: A good pitch for growth delivered with passion but he ignored the SA Best elephant in the room and failed to cut through. 6/10
Winner: Weatherill wins for sheer bravery – he confronted political reality and turned it to his favour.
CRAIG COOK
Weatherill: Strident and forceful about standing up for SA. Won points on leadership but was lamest beating up on the other candidates and struggled defending his government on health in particular 7/10
Marshall: Slow start and a bit stilted but laid out his stall for a typical Liberal agenda. Growth and jobs by any other name. The “It’s time” factor because of a tired Labor government doesn’t really resonate but the mention of 130 policies already announced was strong. 7/10
Xenophon: Strong presentation, competent, clear and direct that was typically clever. Representing as the sensible centre that might hold the balance of power was convincing but struggled when challenged on a number of issues in the wider debate. 7/10
Winner: Weatherill just edged it, but there was no real winner or loser — no one blundered. Special mention for Belinda Heggen as moderator.
TORY SHEPHERD
Weatherill: The Premier is either Mr Quiet Nice Guy or Mr Take It To The Man. Today he was Taking It To The Man 6/10
Marshall: Steven Marshall talks a good talk and makes many valid points. There are no flaws here, but no fire. 6/10
Xenophon: The SA Best leader has the advantage of all care, no responsibility. He can skirt around things better than Tonya Harding. 6/10
Winner: Democracy.
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