Susan Close and Stephen Mullighan step away from SA politics
South Australian politics has just been shaken by a major announcement. Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, two of the most senior figures in the Malinauskas government, have revealed they will not contest the state election in March 2026. Their decision was confirmed during an emotional press conference held alongside Premier Peter Malinauskas, who admitted he had tried and failed to persuade them to stay.
Susan Close, who entered parliament in 2012 representing the seat of Port Adelaide, explained that her choice had been deeply personal. She said she had been reflecting on whether to retire this election or the next, and ultimately decided the time was right. Her words carried a sobering reminder: life is finite, and it is precious. Ms Close shared that watching her mother’s decline into dementia over the past four years was a powerful signal to her about the importance of time and family. She added that while her resignation was not linked to the ongoing environmental challenges facing the state, particularly the devastating algal bloom along the coast, the crisis had reinforced for her that climate change is no longer a future problem but something being lived right now.
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As one of South Australia’s most prominent female politicians, Ms Close reflected on the progress made for women in leadership. She said she looked forward to the day when gender was no longer a defining part of a political legacy, but she acknowledged the impact her role had on women who often stopped her in the street to express what her leadership meant to them.
Stephen Mullighan, elected in 2014 to the seat of Lee, spoke with equal candour about his decision. He explained that his young family had been the central factor in his choice to step aside. Having lost both his parents, and with his wife Antonia also losing her father, he said their “village” was smaller than most. For him, it was vital to be more present as both a husband and a father while his children are still young. He admitted that leaving politics is never without regret because, in his words, “the job’s never done.”
Both ministers paid tribute to their communities and the opportunities they had been given to serve. Mullighan, in particular, called his time as an MP a privilege, despite the enormous dedication and sacrifice it required. Neither outlined specific future plans, choosing instead to focus on the personal reasons behind their departure.
Premier Malinauskas described their decisions as a loss for his government, praising both Close and Mullighan as close friends and invaluable colleagues. He said their resignations had been formally delivered to cabinet and confirmed that new ministers will be appointed in the coming days.
With two of Labor’s most experienced figures stepping down, the landscape of South Australian politics is set for a significant shift as the 2026 election draws nearer.
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