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ABC Steven Marshall not in position to form a government on election night

South Australia's political future is in the balance, with the Liberals achieving a statewide swing in the 2014 election but remaining tantalisingly short of the six lower house gains needed to form a government.

Liberal leader Steven Marshall addressed the party faithful at a hotel in Adelaide's south-eastern suburbs four hours after the polls closed, saying he was not in a position to form government.

"I think we stand a good chance in a range of seats including Mitchell, including Elder, including Ashford and Wright," he said.

"We're not in a position to claim victory tonight despite our outstanding result, increasing our vote and increasing our two-party preferred vote but we will do what we can over the coming days."

Mr Marshall praised the performance of all Liberal candidates and singled out three who he was sure would be in the next parliament.

Vincent Tarzia is confident of a victory in Hartley over Labor government minister Grace Portolesi, Troy Bell will be the new Liberal member for Mount Gambier, ousting independent Don Pegler, and David Speirs expects to be Bright's new member of parliament with a win over government minister Chloe Fox.

ABC election analyst Antony Green says the Liberals will take the Adelaide seat of Mitchell from Labor's Alan Sibbons, putting Corey Wingard into the new parliament.

The Liberals had 18 seats in the previous parliament, Labor 26 and the other three were in the hands of independents.

Two of those independents might play a pivotal role in which party can form the next government.

Originally posted here:

South Australia election: Swing to Liberals but Labor clings to hope as #SAvotes