‘I don’t know how I got so lucky in life’: Premier-elect Peter Malinauskas pays tribute to his wife, Annabel West

Peter Malinauskas says he would not be in the position he is without the support of his wife, Annabel West. So, what do we know about her?

When Peter Malinauskas took to the stage at Adelaide Oval to claim victory on Saturday night, he gave a rousing speech that will be rightly remembered as a historic moment for Labor in South Australia.

But, he admits, there was one glaring omission.

He forgot to thank his wife, Annabel West, who joined him in media appearances on polling day and stood by his side as he addressed the party faithful.

Mum to three young children – Sophie, Jack and Eliza – and with her own successful career as a corporate lawyer, Ms West had otherwise kept a low profile during the campaign.

But the Premier-elect became emotional as he spoke about his wife at a Sunday morning press conference, telling reporters “I don’t know how I got so lucky in life”.

“I just would not be here without Annabel,” he said.

Peter Malinauskas and his wife Annabel West voted at Woodville Gardens School on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Ms West appeared alongside Mr Malinauskas as he claimed a historic victory for SA Labor. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“She actually helped me put the speech together and when I started talking about Mum and Dad I could feel myself getting a bit emotional ... then I moved on to the next part of the speech with the intent to come back and that didn’t happen.

“When we got in the car together afterwards, it dawned on me.”

In a recent interview, Ms West told The Advertiser her family have not always been Labor voters.

“I probably would classify myself as from a Liberal family background,” she said.

“My dad’s a small businessman so had historically leaned that way but I think they’re both very supportive of Pete so I think he’s made them see the light and change their ways.”

She said the the couple were well-supported in their busy family life.

“We’re very lucky that both sets of grandparents are extremely helpful,” she said.

“And also my firm is very supportive in terms of flexibility and working from home which allows for the occasional school pick-up and allows the logistics across the week to run a bit more smoothly.”

Mr Malinauskas said families of politicians are often “conscripts” to the fast-paced and constant nature of the job.

“That’s very true in our case, I don’t think Annabel ever aspired to be involved in political life but she has been the most unwavering support,” he said.

Peter Malinauskas and Annabel West with their children Jack, Sophie and Eliza. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

The couple’s youngest daughter, Eliza, twice appeared on the campaign trail, including at a now-renowned announcement that Labor would fund a new Adelaide Aquatic Centre.

Sophie introduced her dad to the stage at Labor’s official campaign launch last month, and Mr Malinauskas has often made mention of his wife and children.

The family has put aside some time at Easter together, which Mr Malinauskas says he is “desperately looking forward to”, but acknowledges it will be “a big month between now and then”.

“We’re going to hit the ground running; we know there are sacrifices involved,” he said.