While SA Best leader Nick Xenophon and opposition leader Steven Marshall highlighted the state’s rate of growth as an area of concern, Premier Jay Weatherill said he was “not a high population growth person” and neither was his government.

“The notion that we’re a slow growing state is nonsense, it’s just that the rest of Australia is growing like a science experiment,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Xenophon said it would be the “height of arrogance” to decide which side of politics his party would support before South Australians head to the polls.

During the debate between Mr Xenophon, Premier Jay Weatherill and Opposition Leader Steven Marshall today, the former senator said he gave little weight to recent polling, but said his party aimed to win the balance of power. “We will have to see what the final vote is, composition of the parliament and the policy commitments Labor and Liberals make during the campaign,” he said.

AAP