Mike Rann to quit politics this week

9 Jan 2012, 5:47 pm   -   Source: AAP
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A by-election is already scheduled in Port Adelaide. (AAP)

A by-election is already scheduled in Port Adelaide. (AAP)

Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann, who was dumped last year in a party room coup, will quit politics later this week.

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Former South Australian Premier Mike Rann will quit politics this week after a "privileged innings" as Labor leader.

Mr Rann, who was replaced as premier by Jay Weatherill in October last year, said he would resign from his safe Labor seat of Ramsay on Friday, allowing for a by-election to be held on February 11.

A by-election is already scheduled for that day in Port Adelaide, the seat formerly held by Mr Rann's long-serving deputy and treasurer Kevin Foley, who quit the parliament late last year.

"It's been a long innings and it's been the greatest privilege of my life to be a premier of South Australia and Labor Party leader," Mr Rann told AAP on Monday.

Mr Rann has been an MP in the SA parliament for 26 years, served as Labor leader for 17 years and was premier for more than nine years.

He stood down last year after Labor's left and right factions united behind Mr Weatherill to lead the government to the next state election in 2014.

Mr Rann said he held no bitterness at being forced to stand down.

"I will not be saying anything negative at all," he said.

"I feel really good about our state. I feel like our government is in very good nick.

"It's time to try different and new things. I'm looking forward to new challenges."

Mr Rann first entered the SA parliament in 1985 and then became Labor leader in 1994 when the party had been reduced to just 10 seats at the state election.

In 1998 he narrowed the Liberal government's majority and then returned the ALP to power in 2002 with a controversial victory, secured only after an independent MP agreed to support a minority Labor administration.

In 2010 Labor narrowly won a third term despite allegations from former parliamentary waitress Michelle Chantelois that she had been involved in an affair with the premier.

Mr Rann has consistently rejected the claims.

With his retirement just days away, the former premier said he looked forward to spending more time with his wife Sasha, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

He has not revealed his plans for the future although he has said previously he will continue to work for causes that are important to him.

Labor holds his northern suburbs seat with a margin of 18 per cent, making it the party's safest in the state.

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