South Australia's three political heavyweights have come together for the first time, ramping up pre-election posturing more than four months from the March poll.
Premier Jay Weatherill, Opposition Leader Steven Marshall and former senator Nick Xenophon shared the stage at a health sector event on Wednesday.
It's the first time the three have come together since Mr Xenophon announced his decision to run for his local state seat of Hartley in a bid to grasp the balance of power in South Australia.
The forum focused on health policy but the three will jockey for positions on other issues including energy security and affordability, the state's finances and job creation before the election.
Mr Xenophon said it was difficult for his SA Best group to go toe-to-toe with the two major parties without a fleshed-out health policy of his own.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
But he's already had plenty to say on other matters, including a desire to fix the "dysfunction" that plagues state parliament with more government scrutiny and increased sitting days.
"Of course it's a challenge and it's a challenge that I welcome," Mr Xenophon said of his party's election prospects.
"If SA Best gets the balance of power, we will be more than an irritation. We will be a genuine force."
Mr Xenophon plans to run candidates in up to 20 seats in March.
The Liberals have already ruled out forming a coalition government with SA Best, but has left the door ajar to head a minority government with the support of the former senator.
A Labor and SA Best coalition government appears more likely, and the premier is yet to rule out doing such a deal.
