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A political commentator thinks the Liberal Party's need to show unity will keep South Australian Opposition Leader Steven Marshall safe in his job.

When counting was finalised on Saturday, a week after polling day, Labor grabbed a win in the state by-election in Fisher by just 23 votes over the Liberal contender.

The result gave the ALP a majority in its own right in the SA Parliament, meaning the two independents in the Labor ministry no longer need to be relied on to pass legislation in the House of Assembly.

Dr Clem Macintyre of Adelaide University said Mr Marshall's leadership of the Liberals would seem safe for the moment because another state by-election looms, for the Adelaide Hills-based electorate of Davenport at the end of January.

"I'm sure there'll be conversations going on within the Liberal Party but I don't think there would be any move against Steven Marshall at this stage," he said.

"I don't see any clear alternative leader [and] we've got another by-election coming.

"The Liberals will need to present a united front, to put their best foot forward there."

He said another swing of the magnitude of Fisher in the looming by-election would undoubtedly see leadership questions asked in state Liberal ranks.

Dr Macintyre said Liberal campaigning tactics needed scrutiny in the wake of the Fisher result.

"It's a huge hit for the Liberals," he said.

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Liberals need to show unity as another SA by-election looms: Clem Macintyre