Labor Leader Jay Weatherill, Liberal Leader Steven Marshall and SA Best Leader Nick Xenophon to debate election policies

THE men who could be Premier of the state next month will face off in a three-way debate today, laying out their pitch for your vote. WATCH LIVE.

POTENTIAL kingmaker Nick Xenophon expects his party will win just a “handful” of seats at next month’s state election and insists he is not aiming to form Government outright.

The SA Best Leader has also promised to release all his party’s remaining policies within a fortnight, and a list of “priorities” for the Labor and Liberal leaders to consider should he hold the balance of power after the March 17 vote.

Mr Xenophon joined Premier Jay Weatherill and Liberal Leader Steven Marshall for an SA Press Club leaders debate this afternoon.

During the tense exchange Mr Weatherill described the Liberals as “pretty hopeless” while Mr Marshall criticised a “tired, dysfunctional” government.

Leading up to the televised debate, Mr Xenophon has announced candidates to contest 26 of 47 Lower House seats. A political party must win 24 seats to claim government.

Asked to consider a scenario where Mr Xenophon’s SA Best won more seats than either Labor or the Liberals, he would not say if he would demand to lead any coalition formed with either party.

Both Mr Weatherill and Mr Marshall refused to entertain the idea of allowing Mr Xenophon to lead a coalition government.

Neither man would comment, when asked, whether their party would arrange a preference deal to disadvantage SA Best.

Despite soaring popularity in the polls and a recent flurry of candidate announcements, Mr Xenophon said he only expected to win only “a handful” of seats across the state.

“It would be the height of arrogance for me and my team to decide (who should form government) before the people decide,” Mr Xenophon said.

PODCAST: OFF THE RECORD: EPISODE 1.

“We are aiming to hold the balance of power, not to form government.”

A random draw was conducted to choose the order of opening statements for the debate, beginning with Mr Xenophon. He was followed by Mr Marshall and Mr Weatherill.

Each leader was given seven minutes for their statement before the trio took questions from the media.

Mr Xenophon began by stating that the election was a choice for voters between “a government that deserves to lose and an opposition that doesn’t deserve to win”.

Addressing criticism that he has been slow to release policies and announce candidates, Mr Xenophon said that within two weeks he would release all policies on health, education, energy, gambling and economic development.

He would also provide a list of “priorities” to the Labor and Liberal leaders should SA Best hold the balance of power.

Mr Xenophon took aim at both his opponents, arguing Mr Weatherill “can’t expect the top job” after polling day given the “failures” of government.

Mr Marshall has ruled out negotiating with SA Best to form government. Mr Xenophon said, for that reason, “I don’t expect to be talking to him (post March 17) - he will be gone”.

“But I’m sure another leader will be willing to talk,” he said.

Mr Xenophon said SA Best “are aiming to hold the balance of power, not to form government”.

Next up, Mr Marshall unveiled a new three-part slogan, promising “more jobs, lower costs, better services”.

“Enough is enough,” he declared, warning a vote for Labor equalled “more of the same” and a vote for SA Best would bring “lots of spin ... but no detail”.

Mr Marshall urged voters to “turf” the Labor Government that had “failed” on health, education, power and water prices.

“This is a great state let down by a tired Government,” he said.

“I’m excited, I’m energised for the fight.”

Mr Weatherill stated the election was “about standing up for South Australians” and jobs were his “number one priority”.

“The next four years will throw up things none of us can foresee. The people of South Australia want to know whether somebody is in this job that can stand up to that pressure,” he said.

Mr Weatherill criticised the Liberals as “pretty hopeless”.

“It’s probably the reason Nick is sitting here,” he said.

“When have you ever seen a bad Opposition make a good Government?”

Turning to Mr Xenophon, he pledged to “hold you to account”.

The trio have come together once before, at an Australian Medical Association of SA debate on healthcare policy in November.

They were due to meet again at a Property Council SA branch lunch on February 16, but Premier Weatherill has pulled out.

Premier Jay Weatherill, Opposition leader Steven Marshall and leader of SA Best party Nick Xenophon address questions at the AMA political leaders breakfast. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake