South Australian Liberals launch election campaign by keeping Nick Xenophon’s new party on the outer

THE South Australian Liberals have a warning about voting for Nick Xenophon’s new SA Best party at next year’s state election.

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THE Opposition has fired its first state election strategy shot by warning that a vote for Nick Xenophon could return Labor to government for a fifth term.

Liberal Party election material warning people not to vote for the SA Best Party has been distributed in the Adelaide Hills seat of Kavel.

The seat, held by the Liberals with a 12.9 per cent margin, is one of 15 Mr Xenophon’s party will contest at the March 17 election.

The Opposition has fired its first shot in what will be a delicate balancing act in how to campaign against Senator Xenophon.

On one hand the party will need urge people not to vote for the new Nick Xenophon SA Best party that threatens to steal seats from the Liberals.

But they will also need to play nice with the South Australian senator who could play a key kingmaker role in the election.

Nick Xenophon’s SA Best Party could be pivotal at the election.

State Liberal Party Deputy Leader Vickie Chapman.

The seat, held by the Liberals with a 12.9 per cent margin, will be contested by newcomer, lawyer and former state Young Liberal president, Dan Cregan.

The flyers read — “Voting for Nick Xenophon’s SA Best risks 20 years of Labor.

The only way to change the Government is to vote for your local Liberal Candidate Dan Cregan

Liberal for Kavel.”

Deputy State Liberal Leader Vickie Chapman told the Sunday Mail voting for SA Best is “a risk that isn’t worth taking” for voters.

“Nick Xenophon has consistently refused to confirm who his party would back into government if they hold the balance of power after the state election,” Ms Chapman said.

“If people are considering voting for Nick Xenophon’s SA best they need to be prepared for the fact that might help Labor cling to power for another four years.”

Exclusive Galaxy Sunday Mail polling in July found the two major parties were neck and neck but Senator Xenophon’s SA Best party, with the support of one in five voters, looked set to play a pivotal, kingmaker role in the election and cause havoc in key marginal seats.

Senator Xenophon, who is yet to announce a single candidate for the State Election in march yet, said he remains as neutral as Switzerland.

“This is a sign that both major parties are panicking because they have left South Australia down,” Senator Xenophon said.

“It verges on the hysterical in that it is all about getting the best results for South Australia.

“We haven’t even put a candidate in Kavel and they are wasting money like.

“It shows how misplaced their use of resources are.”

Senator Xenophon has already been targeted by the construction union, CFMEU, and left-wing activist group Get Up!