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Xenophon candidates to quit: SA premier

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says some SA-Best candidates are planning to quit Nick Xenophon's party if elected in March.

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Source: AAP


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Some candidates running for Nick Xenophon's SA-Best party at the March state election are already talking about quitting and sitting as independents, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says.

Mr Weatherill refused to name the candidates but says he has information that some of Mr Xenophon's candidates are planning to quit the party if elected.

"We already know members of Nick Xenophon's team are saying they will be resigning from his party within months of being elected and becoming independents," Mr Weatherill told reporters on Tuesday.

Mr Weatherill citing "rumours around the place" promised his party would release the information later in the campaign.

"I'll be saying more about that later but these are the rumours around the place," he said.

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Mr Xenophon dismissed the allegations and called on the Mr Weatherill to produce evidence.

"The premier needs to put up or shut-up, in terms of what he said and I think this is mischief by the major parties," he said.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said he was not aware of any SA-Best candidates planning to quit and stand as independents but described all those running for Nick Xenophon's party as a "group of opportunists".

"What happens if Nick Xenophon doesn't get elected, where is the loyalty going to lie with these candidates?" Mr Marshall told reporters on Tuesday.

The Liberal leader also reiterated his "strongly held belief" that a deal had been done by Labor and SA-Best for Mr Xenophon to target opposition-held seats to prevent a Liberal majority government.

"The reality is all the evidence supports this," he said.

South Australia goes to the polls on March 17.


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