THE SEATS TO WATCH IN THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ELECTION:
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HARTLEY
In Adelaide's affluent eastern suburbs the seat is shaping as a genuine three-horse race, with former senator and SA-Best leader Nick Xenophon and former SA Labor minister Grace Portolesi challenging Liberal incumbent Vincent Tarzia. He nominally holds the seat by a 3.3 per cent margin after a recent redistribution.
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FLOREY
Based in Adelaide's northeast, the seat is held by former Labor MP turned independent Frances Bedford. Labor will run their own candidate Rik Morris, a former government staffer. Ms Bedford's return could boost Labor's chances of retaining office with her support.
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MORPHETT
The electorate includes the beachside suburbs of Glenelg and West Beach. It is currently held by former Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge, who resigned from the party after losing preselection endorsement for the 2018 election. If he's returned as an independent both Labor and the Liberals will be knocking on his door for support.
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MAWSON
A redistribution has turned this Labor-held seat into a nominally Liberal one, with a 3.2 per cent margin. That spells trouble for Tourism Minister Leon Bignell but he's stared down defeat in the past.
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LEE
Held by Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan with a two per cent margin, if this seat falls it will be a big blow to Labor and to his political career. He has been considered a potential future Labor leader.
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BADCOE
A newly-created seat after boundary changes, it is nominally Labor with a 4.2 per cent margin. Former journalist Jayne Stinson is seeking to enter politics and win the seat for the government but it's one where Nick Xenophon's party is expected to poll strongly.
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CROYDON
One of Labor's safest seats, but longtime MP, former minister and parliamentary Speaker Michael Atkinson is retiring. Former union boss and current Health Minister Peter Malinauskas is attempting to shift from the upper to the lower house and it should be a walk in the park for the man touted as the next Labor leader.
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Source: Electoral Districts Boundaries Commission.
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