Former Liberal minister David Pisoni expected to be replaced in Unley by Rosalie Rotolo-Hassan

The founder of a high-end Adelaide store is expected to replace an outgoing state Liberal MP.

A former King William Rd gourmet store owner is expected to take over from outgoing Unley Liberal MP David Pisoni, who will quit politics at the next election.

Mr Pisoni, who was industry and skills minister in the Marshall Liberal government, announced on Tuesday morning that he would not seek preselection when nominations closed for incumbent Liberal seats.

Liberal sources said gourmet food store Bottega Rotolo founder Rosalie Rotolo-Hassan would be the favourite to win the party candidacy to succeed Mr Pisoni in the inner southern Adelaide seat.

Rosalie Rotolo-Hassan and former Liberal premier Steven Marshall at State Theatre of SA's VIP drinks pre-performance of premiere of Blue in Mortlock Library on February 27. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

Former Socceroo Bruce Djite, now the Property Council of Australia’s state executive director, had been speculated as successor for Mr Pisoni but is understood to have ruled this out.

In a letter to constituents, Mr Pisoni says he has been active in the community for about 40 years, including as a business owner, and will have served for 20 years in parliament at the time of the next election, in March, 2026.

“I was proud to serve as a minister in the Marshall Liberal government, which worked hard in the pandemic to support South Australians and deliver one of the world’s lowest death rates and fastest economic recoveries,” says Mr Pisoni, now the Opposition Whip.

“We now face new challenges under the state Labor government. Our cost of living is dramatically rising, energy and housing are unaffordable, and our health system is in crisis.

“I worry now we may not hand over a better world to our kids than the one we inherited.”

The-then Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni at a media call for Umbrella Presents: GO LIVE in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Ms Rotolo-Hassan, who sold the well-known Goodwood European food store in 2022, is a National Library of Australia council member.

The Liberals are facing a by-election in the southwestern Adelaide seat of Black within weeks, because former leader David Speirs resigned on Saturday after being charged with two counts of supplying a controlled substance.

Unley has been a blue-ribbon Liberal seat but Mr Pisoni’s 11.5 per cent margin was substantially whittled at the 2022 state election, when he fended off Labor challenger Ryan Harrison by 1053 votes.

Acting Liberal state director Alexander Hyde said nominations for Unley preselection had been extended automatically, until noon on October 14, as a result of Mr Pisoni’s retirement.

Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia praised Mr Pisoni’s “remarkable career” contributing to the parliament and Liberal Party.

“His hard work, tenacity and advocacy for his local community has been a positive force for the Liberal Party during his tenure, and we look forward to his continued support as we work towards victory in 2026,” Mr Tarzia said.