Sick SA MP makes surprise parly appearance

Independent MP Bob Such has made a surprise appearance at the opening of the South Australian parliament as he continues to battle a brain tumour.

Dr Such, one of two independents who hold the balance of power in SA, was sworn in as an MP on Tuesday after comfortably holding his southern Adelaide seat at the March state election.

He was not expected to appear after earlier seeking extended leave while he underwent cancer treatment.

Along with fellow independent Geoff Brock, Dr Such held negotiations with the Labor and Liberal parties after the election as they both sought to form a government but he became ill before revealing whom he might support.

Mr Brock subsequently backed Labor to form a minority administration, and while it only has a one-seat majority, Premier Jay Weatherill has promised to govern boldly and strongly.

Opening the parliament on Tuesday, Governor Kevin Scarce outlined the government's agenda, including its plans to deal with the looming loss of jobs from Holden's decision to close it car assembly plants in Adelaide from the end of 2017.

He detailed the government's plan to modernise and grow the economy and to take a more outward looking approach.

The governor said South Australia had to develop a stronger culture of innovation, and the government had to lead by example.

"The South Australian public sector must be renewed," he said.

"It must demonstrate its commitment to bold, innovative approaches and encourage other sectors to follow."

The government has also pledged to take action to make political donations more transparent.

The governor said its efforts would seek to ensure that "any hint of impropriety was not hidden in the shadows".

But as parliament sat for the first time, federal frontbencher Christopher Pyne cast doubts over the legitimacy of the Labor government after the Liberals clearly won the popular vote at the state poll.

He said a similar result in any other state, perhaps with the exception of Tasmania, would have resulted in a landslide win to the opposition.

"So I do think there is a very dark cloud hanging over this government," he said.

"And while they continue to govern in that minority position, the public will always have a doubt about their legitimacy."