South Australian Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan have announced they will step down from Cabinet ahead of the March election, informing Premier Peter Malinauskas of their decisions to retire from politics.
The pair, both long-serving members of the Labor frontbench, will vacate their Cabinet posts effective immediately. Their exits pave the way for a reshuffle, with new ministerial appointments to be revealed tomorrow.
Dr Susan Close, who entered Parliament in 2012, has held a range of portfolios over more than a decade. Since March 2022, she has served as Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, as well as Industry, Innovation and Science. In April this year, she also took on the Workforce and Population Strategy portfolio.
Over her time in Parliament, Dr Close has played a key role in education and environmental policy, with achievements including phonics checks for Reception students, tripled funding for the RSPCA, the ban on puppy farms, and new legislation to support emissions reduction and biodiversity.
Reflecting on her decision, she said, “Leaving this job, this government and this premier is the hardest decision I have ever made.” She added, “I had always planned to leave with fuel left in the tank, not to stagger to the finish line but to still have something to offer. I realise that the time for that must be now.”
“I will miss so much the Premier and the extraordinary working partnership we have had for nearly 8 years,” she said, also thanking the public servants and her colleagues across the labour movement for their support.
Dr Close will continue to represent Port Adelaide until the election and said she would speak more about her local community closer to that time.
Stephen Mullighan, elected in 2014, was the youngest Labor MP to go straight into Cabinet. After serving as Minister for Transport and Infrastructure and later Housing and Urban Development in the Weatherill Government, he returned as Treasurer in 2022 under Malinauskas.
He was also appointed Minister for Defence and Space Industries in April this year, and Police Minister in January.
During his tenure as Treasurer, Mullighan has overseen a return to budget surplus, maintained that position, improved the state’s credit rating outlook, and kept business taxes steady. He said his time in public life has been driven by the desire to “get as much done as possible, and then hand over the reins.”
“This will come as a surprise to many people but after working at senior levels of government over 22 years, it is time for change,” Mullighan said. “We’ve got the best performing economy in the nation and we’re regarded as the best place in the nation to do business.”
He paid tribute to Premier Malinauskas, calling him a “once-in-a-generation leader,” and thanked his constituents, staff, and family, especially his wife Antonia and their children, Ben, Isaac and Olivia.
Premier Malinauskas praised both outgoing ministers for their service and integrity, calling it “a significant day in our state’s political history.”
“It has been my immense honour and privilege to have worked so closely with both Susan and Stephen over the past decade,” he said. “Both have demonstrated formidable intellect, incredible leadership, competence and loyalty.”
“Their determination to get things done have delivered results for South Australians now, but have also set our state up for the long term,” he added.
Malinauskas said both resignations were made in advance to ensure a smooth transition before the next election. “I’ll have more to say on the shape of Cabinet tomorrow.”
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