Former Attorney-General John Rau to quit politics, just days after Jay Weatherill retired

Former Attorney-General and deputy premier John Rau has revealed he will retire from state parliament — just days after Jay Weatherill called time on his political career.

• 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

Former Attorney-General and deputy premier John Rau has revealed he will retire from state parliament — just days after Jay Weatherill called time on his political career.

The move by Mr Rau is likely to result in the by-elections for the two safe Labor seats being held on a “super Saturday’’ in early February.

The Advertiser can reveal Mr Rau, 59, has been contemplating his future since Labor lost the March election and Mr Weatherill’s move on Friday had “focused’’ his deliberations.

Mr Rau said he said he had only made his final decision on Saturday after discussions with his children and confidants.

“Since the election I have been thinking a good deal about what I should be doing with myself in the future and I had come to the conclusion I would not be a candidate in the 2022 election,’’ Mr Rau said.

John Rau with two of his three children, Jack and Stella. The former Attorney-General will retire from politics. Picture: AAP / Emma Brasier

“Things then moved on significantly when Jay made his announcement, because at that point in time there was a by-election coming up.

“I have been thinking very seriously since then about what I should do and on balance, I think the best thing from both my perspective and the Labor Party would be to have some renewal and have an energetic, fresh person to contribute to its efforts between now and the election.’’

Mr Rau, who was elected in his seat of Enfield at the 2002 election, was appointed to Cabinet in 2010. He has held numerous key ministerial portfolios, but notably was Attorney-General between 2010 and 2018, deputy premier for seven of those years and Industrial Relations Minister for the last five.

He has been responsible for many significant and far-reaching reforms, particularly in the workplace injury, planning and entertainment arenas and he also introduced the legislation establishing SA’s Independent Commission Against Corruption — a body he yesterday took a swipe at.

But Mr Rau’s most significant legacy will be improved public safety for South Australians through his numerous reforms in the law and order and justice portfolios — such as anti-bikie laws, sentencing reforms and extended supervision orders for dangerous criminals.

M Rau said he had “mixed feelings’’ about retiring from politics because representing his electorate and serving the state had been “a major part of my life for almost 17 years.’’

“To realise that chapter of your life is coming to an end is obviously significant and a moment for reflection,’’ he said.

He said he felt the most significant portfolio he held during his ministerial career was the Attorney-General’s role, although the planning portfolio and liquor licensing area were also satisfying because of the reforms undertaken.

“There has been a lot of scope for reform in a lot of areas which I thoroughly enjoyed doing,’’ he said.

Perhaps the most significant reforms were in the law and order arena with changes to a myriad of legislation ranging from measures to eliminate the threat posed by bikies to that governing the courts system.

“A number I regard as being very important, but the reorientation of the criminal law to put community safety at the centre of all decisions is very significant,’’ he said.

“When I became Attorney-General there was a very fragmented legislative framework around sentencing, there were no such things as extended supervision orders.

“And in areas where we were dealing with dangerous people who could not control themselves the priority was not public safety, it was merely a consideration.

“So over my time I have reoriented all of those things so the paramount consideration for sentencing for example and for dealing with serial paedophiles and serial violent criminals the priority is absolutely public safety.

John Rau during question time in Parliament, beside Jay Weatherill. Picture: Dylan Coker

“I would like to think South Australia is a safer place because of these changes to the justice system.’’

Mr Rau said he was “frustrated’’ that long delays in the justice system had not yet been remedied, despite the measures introduced to tackle them.

“I am convinced the approach is correct. I think it will require all of the parties to work a bit harder at it than they presently are,’’ he said.

While acknowledging establishing an ICAC was a political necessity, Mr Rau took a swipe at the direction SA’s had taken, stating the body had “strayed’’ from its primary role of tackling corruption.

“From the very beginning the ICAC was designed to deal with serious corruption in the public sector,’’ he said.

He said it was never intended the ICAC dealt with disciplinary or behavioural matters that could be perfectly well managed by other people — such as the Ombudsman.

“I think it is using a sledge hammer to crack walnuts,’’ he said.

“It should stick to its main task, very significant criminal behaviour within government. If it does not find any of that, that is not a cause for disappointment, that is a cause for rejoicing in that we don’t have any serious corruption in our public sector.

“It does not have to justify its existence by finding things to investigate if they are not matters of significance.’’

He said perhaps the largest disappointment during his term as Attorney-General was not being able to influence the federal Government and other jurisdictions to implement stronger online gambling laws.

John Rau on election day in March. Picture: AAP / Matt Loxton

“I think it is a disgrace that we have such a poor scheme to manage that, particularly to prevent it becoming normalised for young people,’’ he said.

Besides spending more time with children Jack, Stella and Olivia post his retirement from politics, Mr Rau said he was considering several options that included a return to the bar to practice civil and industrial law and possibly lecturing at university.

“I would like to find some useful thing to do that has some public benefit as well as a personal interest where I can use some of the skills I have,’’ he said.

Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas thanked Mr Rau “for his faithful and loyal service to the Labor Party and the people of South Australia.’’

“John is a man of great intellect who has served our state as Attorney-General and Deputy Premier with distinction,’’ he said.

“He played a significant role in the longest-serving Labor Government in South Australia’s history.

“His retirement, coinciding with the retirement of Jay Weatherill as the Member for Cheltenham, presents Labor with an opportunity for renewal which we will be treating very seriously.

“We believe the people of Enfield deserve a high-quality representative and a powerful advocate. I look forward to presenting fresh faces in forthcoming by-elections as we renew the party under my leadership.’’

The career of John Rau

■ Admitted as a solicitor and barrister of Supreme Court in 1981.

■ Worked for Hawke Government ministers and ran unsuccessfully for Federal Parliament.

■ Elected to State Parliament in 2002 in seat of Enfield.

■ Elevated to Cabinet in March, 2010.

■ Appointed as Deputy Premier in 2011.

■ Architect of CBD small-bar legislation.

■ Introduced planning reforms to stall urban sprawl.

■ Repaired anti-bikie laws after High Court challenge.

■ Delivered a major overhaul of sentencing laws.

■ Oversaw passage of new child protection legislation following Royal Commission.

■ Appointed a Senior Counsel in 2016.

■ Resigned from Labor frontbench after 2018 state election loss.