Financial lawyer Andrea Michaels emerges as frontrunner to be Labor candidate in Enfield, as of ex-deputy premier John Rau exits

The frontrunner to become Labor’s candidate for the safe seat of Enfield has emerged, as the party seeks to inject new blood following John Rau’s retirement.

• Former Attorney-General John Rau to quit politics
• Analysis: Rau shunned the limelight and leaves a legacy
• Former premier Jay Weatherill quits politics
• Analysis: Weatherill was quietly spoken but cunning as a fox
• Cheek, mischief in Jay Weatherill’s final day

Financial lawyer Andrea Michaels has emerged as the frontrunner to become Labor’s candidate for the safe seat of Enfield, as the party seeks to inject new blood.

Retirements from former premier Jay Weatherill and his one-time deputy John Rau in the past week have set the scene for a weekend of twin by-elections in the new year.

Ms Michaels confirmed to Advertiser.com.au this morning that she would nominate to become the party’s candidate in Enfield, won by Mr Rau with an 7.8 per cent margin.

She is a managing director at CBD firm NDA Law, specialising in tax and superannuation law as well as commercial law and estate planning.

Lawyer Andrea Michaels has confirmed she will nominate to become Labor’s candidate in Enfield, Photo Naomi Jellicoe

Last month, the company won the Boutique Diversity Law Firm of the Year award at the national Women in Law Awards in Melbourne.

Ms Michaels’ nomination has the backing of senior Right faction and party leaders.

“I will be seeking preselection for the Labor Party in the electorate of Enfield,” she said.

“I am the daughter of migrants who came here with nothing and worked hard to make a life for our family in South Australia.

“Our first home was in Blair Athol and my early years instilled in me the importance of a society based on fairness and opportunity.”

John Rau is retiring from politics. Picture: Tom Huntley

Ms Michaels said she now wanted to make “a greater contribution”.

“I want to use the opportunities I’ve had to advance a society based on fairness and opportunity, for my children, for the people of Enfield and for our state,” she said.

This is why I want to be part of the Labor team under the leadership of Peter Malinauskas.”

SA Unions secretary Joe Szakacs is strongly tipped to become the party nominee in Cheltenham, which is being vacated by Mr Weatherill after 17 years.

Speaker Vincent Tarzia is will set by-election dates when formal resignation letters are received on Monday.

They are expected to be held before Parliament returns in mid February.

Labor’s state executive will formalise candidate selections before the end of the week.