South Australian Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas has vowed a Labor government would act swiftly to remove state government funds from Russian investments.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr Malinauskas told a gathering of business and community leaders it was crucial to send a very clear message of SA's opposition to Russia's acts of aggression.
Funds SA, which manages government investments and the superannuation of public servants, has not yet indicated its position on the issue.
However, Mr Malinauskas said Treasurer Rob Lucas had recently confirmed legislation would need to be changed to allow the government to direct it to act.
It's believed Funds SA currently has a $60 million exposure to Russian assets.
Mr Malinauskas said if elected premier at this month's poll, he would immediately bring legislation to the new parliament to "fix" the issue.
"Other states are doing it, we can do it too," he said.
"We know this is the right thing to do. It is unconscionable for state government funds and public sector workers' superannuation to be invested in Russian assets."
Appearing at the same event, Premier Steven Marshall said sending a strong message to Russia was vital but questioned the time it would take to pass the necessary laws.
"The reality is we've got to send a very strong message to Russia, not in three or four months' time when legislation passes the South Australian parliament, but immediately," he said.
"That's exactly and precisely what we're doing."
The pair also differed on population growth with the premier backing the idea of Adelaide becoming home for up to two million people by 2036, the state's bicentenary, or possibly by 2030.
"Let's see. We've got to do it in a sustainable way," he said.
But Mr Malinauskas said targeting two million people by 2030 would be a "dangerous proposition".
"The idea that we could have an absolute mammoth explosion in the space of eight years - that represented a 30 per cent increase in the population of Adelaide - that's a reckless number," he said.
Also on Friday, concessions, energy affordability, health, transport, and housing were identified as are top issues for seniors heading into the SA poll.
National Seniors Australia released a list of priorities at the same time reminding all sides of politics that 50 per cent of voters were aged 50 or over.
In respect to concessions, Chief Advocate Ian Henschke said all candidates should commit to protecting existing arrangements despite the volatile economic environment.
"Our governments' budgets around the country have been tested by the COVID-19 pandemic and we want to know that concessions won't be touched in the future as an easy means of balancing the books," he said.
The group called for new measures to help older people cope with rising electricity, gas and water bills including a reduced-cost rooftop solar installation program.
It also wants the introduction of a travelling dental service for seniors, with a particular focus on regional SA, and the introduction of free public transport at all times.
South Australians go to the polls on March 19.
