The upcoming federal election will be a yawn when compared to next year’s state election, according to Mike Smithson. He’s predicting “corpses littering the electoral map”, whatever the result.

Mark my words, this week will provide a clear indication of where both parties stand exactly a year out from the 2026 state election.

Symbolically, it signals unofficial campaigning has begun with total focus on retaining power or seizing it from a government seemingly in ruthless control.

The distraction of a federal election within the next eight weeks is a fly in the ointment for both major parties, which would prefer not to be lassoed into hitting the campaign trail with Anthony Albanese or Peter Dutton.

As InDaily has reported, the electorates of Sturt and Boothby are SA’s only federal seats sparking any national interest.

But next year’s state election is a contest that will cost political careers and leave corpses littering the electoral map, whatever the result.

For the first time Premier Peter Malinauskas and relatively new Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia will publicly go head-to-head on Friday in the cauldron of a televised debate.

The SA Press Club hosts this sold-out event a year out from the state election and then again 12 months later, just days ahead of voters going to the polls.

Friday’s event couldn’t be higher stakes for both leaders.

Malinauskas looks home and hosed for another term in office with a 15-seat buffer zone and the Liberals seemingly in a world of pain, but with little to lose.

Labor’s........

© InDaily