Former South Australian premier, and Philhellene, Mike Rann walked away from politics yesterday after 26 years as a Labor MP, with almost ten of those years spent as Premier of South Australia. Mr Rann who stood down as SA Premier on October 20 last year, told Neos Kosmos he is confident in leaving politics as he has left South Australia in a safe economic position and feels it is time for the old guard to leave and make way for new blood.
Mr Rann’s decision to retire was also sped-up due to his wife’s health condition as she is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast and lymph node cancer. He said that by stepping down “it gives [him] an opportunity to give her some support”. After speaking with her doctors, Mr Rann understands that the next six to seven months will be a tough battle for his wife, but one he is certain she will win.
When Mr Rann first took over as the Premier of South Australia in 1994, he said the state was an “economic basket case”. “What we had to do was really work hard to diversify our economy,” explains Mr Rudd.
In his time as premier, the state saw an increase of approximately 15 mines – with 30 more to come; won multibillion dollar defence projects; electrified the trains; invested in a desalination plant to drought proof Adelaide for the next 80 to 100 years; extended the tram network; built a brand new central hospital and invested more than two billion dollars in stadiums.
“South Australia is going to be a mining, resources and energy powerhouse,” says Mr Rann about the increase in mines. “And we’ve been investing in infrastructure too for the future, so I’d like to think I’ve left leading South Australia in much better condition than I found it when I took over as leader.”
As the longest serving Labor premier of South Australia, Mr Rann talks about his time in politics with pride, but is also looking forward to what the future holds as well.
And one of his future plans is to keep his strong connection to the Greek community both in South Australia, and nationally as well.
“When I came to South Australia to work for Don Dunstan in 1977 he introduced me as a young 24-year-old to the Greek community and they have been the most loyal friends, and that loyalty will always be returned,” says Mr Rann.
He will continue to be involved in a number of environmental causes, specifically climate change. And, he will also be doing some university teaching in the future too.
“I feel happy I have done the best I can,” says Mr Rann of his political career. “I am looking forward to the next phase in my life and career.”
