SA Election 2022: Steven Marshall quits as leader of the South Australian branch of the Liberal Party

Outgoing Premier Steven Marshall has taken “full responsibility” for the Liberals losing the state election and quit as leader.

Outgoing Liberal premier Steven Marshall has quit as the party’s South Australian leader.

Mr Marshall went to Government House on Sunday morning and told Governor Frances Adamson the party was unable to form government following Saturday’s state election.

In a devastating result for the Liberals, Mr Marshall’s government was ousted in a landslide victory by Labor after just one term.

“A new government will be sworn in shortly,” he said in a statement.

“While I am disappointed by the election outcome, I take full responsibility for the result and accept the will of the people.”

Mr Marshall said he had decided to resign as state Liberal leader.

“After nine years as leader of the Liberal Parliamentary Party it is time for someone else to lead the team into the future,” he said.

“I will step down as leader as soon as the party room is able to meet to elect my successor.”

Premier Steven Marshall with Liberal Party supporters at Norwood on state election night. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Marshall said it had been a “great privilege and honour” to serve as South Australia’s 46th premier.

“I will be forever grateful to the people of South Australia and the Liberal Party to have had the opportunity,” he said.

Mr Marshall said he was proud of his government’s achievements.

He listed them as including the abolition of small business payroll tax, reopening the Repat Hospital at Daw Park and moving Year 7 into high school.

“We also opened new opportunities in exciting industries so our children can have future careers in SA,” he said.

“The Australian Space Agency has its headquarters in Adelaide and our reservoirs and national parks have been unlocked and upgraded so South Australians can enjoy our own backyard.”

Premier Steven Marshall concedes defeat at the Robin Hood Hotel, Norwood. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Marshall said his government had “faced the most extraordinary of times”.

“Through natural disasters and a global pandemic, we managed to keep South Australians safe and did so with fewer restrictions than almost anywhere else in the world,” he said.

Mr Marshall said he looked forward to continuing to work for his constituents in the eastern suburbs seat of Dunstan, named after former Labor premier Don Dunstan.

Meanwhile, Premier-elect Peter Malinauskas said he will not waste any time implementing his ambitious agenda.