The key SA seats at the federal election

MAYO

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie looks set to continue her grip on the South Australian seat of Mayo. A recent opinion poll had her clearly ahead of Liberal challenger Georgina Downer 57 per cent to 43 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. After she lost to Ms Sharkie in a by-election last year, a second defeat will almost certainly end Ms Downer's aspirations to follow in her famous father's footsteps. Former foreign minister Alexander Downer previously held Mayo for more than 20 years, from 1984 to 2008.

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BOOTHBY

First-term Liberal MP Nicolle Flint could provide something of an upset on polling day and hold the government's most marginal seat in South Australia. A recent poll had Ms Flint ahead 53 per cent to 47 per cent, a result that would slightly increase her majority. Both Labor and the coalition have put big resources into this southern suburbs seat which has been held by the Liberals for almost 70 years.

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STURT

Veteran MP and Liberal power broke Christopher Pyne has called quits on his 25-year parliamentary career, making the contest for his seat of Sturt the most open in decades. James Stevens is hoping to retain it for the Liberals with Labor's Cressida O'Hanlon his biggest challenger. With a margin of more than five per cent, Mr Stevens is expected to hang on, notwithstanding the strong personal following for Mr Pyne.