Former South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has announced he will step down from state politics, bringing on a by-election.
The state MP representing Dunstan in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs entered Parliament in 2010, and became South Australia’s 46th premier at the 2018 state election. He served as state leader until the 2022 election, when Labor swept to power under the leadership of Peter Malinauskas.
Mr. Marshall, 56, said it had been an honour to serve as member for Dunstan, leader of the South Australian Liberal Party, and premier of South Australia.
“I will leave politics knowing I did my best and fought my hardest for this great state,” Mr. Marshall said in a statement.
“After almost 14 years in parliament, now is the right time for me to step aside and allow someone else to step forward and serve the people of Dunstan.”
Mr. Marshall suffered a 6.9 percent swing against him in the 2022 election, narrowly holding on with 50.5 percent of the vote compared to 49.5 percent for the Labor Party.
The resignation will be formalised in the coming months, paving the way for a by-election in the marginal seat of Dunstan.
“In the coming months, I will be considering when I hand my actual resignation to the Speaker (of the House of Assembly) because I want to give the party all the right time to preselect the very best candidate for the Liberal Party. It’s very important to me that we have continuing solid Liberal representation for the people of Dunstan.”
Senior public policy manager Dr. Anna Finizio has been slated as a possible candidate to replace Mr. Marshall for the Liberal Party.
Dr. Finizio was pictured with Mr. Marshall grabbing a coffee on Jan. 23 in the suburb of Norwood, within the seat of Dunstan.
Mr. Marshall was at the helm of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, holding regular press conferences, and implementing state border closures and short lockdowns to manage the virus.
In his final press conference in Norwood, South Australia, Mr. Marshall said he decided now was the time to go, and for the people of Dunstan to receive new ideas.
Former Premier Proud of COVID-19 Response
Speaking on his management of the virus, Mr. Marshall indicated he was proud of his handling.“I’m particularly proud of how my government and the broader South Australian community responded to the enormous challenges posed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with swift and decisive action saving thousands of lives and thousands more from the severe disease,” he said.
“I send a special thanks to former health and wellbeing minister Stephen Wade, the Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens, and Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier for their enormous efforts during the pandemic.'’
The former premier also singled out his achievements in space, defence, renewable energy, and the economy while in charge.
“We nurtured the space, defence, advanced manufacturing, digital economy, medical research, and renewable energy sectors that have left South Australia well-placed to enter a new age of prosperity,” he said.
The South Australian Liberal Party also praised Mr. Marshall for his service to the state via a post on X on Jan. 24.
“Thank you Steven Marshall for your service to South Australia as our 46th Premier and for serving the people of Dunstan for 14 years,” the party wrote.
“Your contributions at both the local and state level are significant, and we are grateful for your tireless dedication to improving the lives of South Australians and making our state the best it can be.”
The news from Mr. Marshall comes just one day after former Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced he would be stepping down from Parliament.
Mr. Morrison will be leaving Parliament at the end of February to take on new roles in the global corporate sector, including within the United States.
