SA: Former SA premier to quit politics

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2007
SA: Former SA premier to quit politics

ADELAIDE, April 18 AAP - Former South Australia Premier Rob Kerin will quit politics
at the next state election.

Mr Kerin said today he would not contest the next state poll in 2010.

"I have given much thought over the last 12 months to my future plans," Mr Kerin said.

"And I am very comfortable with my decision to make way for a new face."

Mr Kerin was first elected to state parliament in 1993 and has held the mid-north seat
of Frome since then.

He held various ministries between 1995 and 2001 and then became Liberal leader and
premier when John Olsen was forced to resign six months before the election in 2002.

Labor won that poll in a cliffhanger result but then extended its grip on power in
the 2006 election.

After his second defeat at the polls, Mr Kerin was replaced as Liberal and opposition
leader by Iain Evans who was subsequently dumped by the party for Martin Hamilton-Smith
last week.

Mr Kerin said with Mr Hamilton-Smith finalising his shadow cabinet this week he thought
it was a good time to make his position clear.

"Having made the decision to leave politics at the next election, I thought there was
little point in me simply occupying a seat in shadow cabinet," he said.

"Martin and his new team face a big challenge, but I will be totally supporting their
efforts to regain government in 2010.

"In the last 13 years I have had tremendous opportunities and had a terrific six years
as a minister and nearly eight years in leadership positions."

AAP tjd/cjh/bwl

KEYWORD: KERIN

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