Interesting question Jack. I don't like to see private relationships brought into politics, but regardless of whether it is true or not, this could bring Rann down, simply because the media may not let him focus on the upcoming election campaign. (Rather like the media would not let the Howard-Costello leadership issue rest).
These allegations (and I have to say I tend to believe the story Ms Chantelois is telling) are disastrous for Labor, because they come at a time when the Liberals would otherwise have had zero chance of winning next years election (I think the Libs need a 9% swing).
Call me crazy, but I think Rann has generally done a good job for SA, so I don't think it would be a good thing if he is forced to step aside. The immediate options behind Rann just don't seem like Premier material to me (Foley is too divisive, Conlon is a horrible speaker, Holloway's persona makes Rudd look like Bob Hawke in comparison, Hill's star has fallen since he took on the poisoned chalice of Health).
Atkinson is a good speaker and the most likely of that mob IMO, but I don't like that idea, because he seems a little too willing to throw our civil liberties under the bus!
I think Weatherill might have the right persona, is a good speaker and seems to have a social conscience, but if he had any clout within the Labor party, I think he would have been offered a more senior portfolio by now.
If Labor were to somehow lose to the Libs next year, I think that would be bad for the State at this stage. I want to see the current Health reforms (incl the new Royal Adelaide) seen through and not revamped mid-stream and I also want the recently announced plans for public transport to come to fruition (incl expanding the trams into a proper light rail system to gradually replace cars as the primary mode of transport in the inner city).
The problem with the Libs is that they are prone to pulling back on the funding of social services and public infrastructure and I don't think that is what is needed right now.