Voters to go to the polls in Bob Such’s seat of Fisher on December 6 as Liberal Iain Evans also retires and triggers Davenport by-election
UPDATE: Anti-violence campaigner and Sammy D Foundation head Nat Cook has been confirmed as Labor’s candidate to replace independent MP Bob Such in the southern suburbs seat of Fisher.
ANTI-VIOLENCE campaigner and Sammy D Foundation head Nat Cook has been confirmed as Labor’s candidate to replace independent MP Bob Such in the southern suburbs seat of Fisher.
Labor announced Ms Cook’s candidacy this afternoon after a special state executive meeting.
Ms Cook is an after-hours nursing co-ordinator at Flinders Medical Centre and foster carer.
Ms Cook and husband Neil Davis founded the Sammy D Foundation after their son Sam
died in 2008 from a coward punch.
The foundation runs programs that encourage young people to stand up against violence and bullying, and has been supported by the State Government.
Premier Jay Weatherill said Ms Cook was “an outstanding advocate for her local community”.
“I am thrilled that she has decided to take the step into politics,” Mr Weatherill said.
“She knows the issues in her local community and will make a great Member of Parliament.”
The pair have sceduled a media appearence together on Tuesday morning.
Speaker Michael Atkinson has confirmed the Fisher by-election will be held on December 6.
Mr Atkinson today used Twitter to set the date, triggering former Liberal leader Iain Evans to confirm he would resign from Davenport next Thursday to allow by-elections on the same day.
Fisher has been vacated by the death of independent Bob Such a week ago.
Mr Atkinson told The Advertiser he would not allow the by-elections to be held on the same day. He said a vote in Davenport was likely in January or February, before Parliament resumes.
“Completely different considerations arise,” he said this afternoon. “The Fisher by-election was necessitated by the death of a member. Bob has been ill for a very long time.
“My intention was to give Fisher a new member as soon as possible.”
Mr Atkinson said he had written to Electoral Commissioner Kay Mousely several weeks ago about the prospect of by-elections. Mr Atkinson said he was told the local government elections would consume significant resources, leaving few available by-election dates this year.
“She doubted the capacity of the Commission to do a by-election this year.”
Mr Atkinson said he finally selected December 6 following negotiation. That would allow election writs to be returned before Christmas and a new MP in place, he said.
Mr Atkinson said he had no contact from Mr Evans about a retirement date until today and rejected suggestions there was a significant cost saving in holding the by-elections together.
“Having announced a by-election necessitated by the death of a member, I would be very reluctant to then piggyback on that a by-election caused by a completely different reason, namely Iain Evans’ determination to leave less than 12 months after being re-elected” he said.
“I won’t be moved on that point.
“The by-elections raise completely different issues and I think they should be separated out so that those issues can be considered on their merits. “I would be minded to have the (Davenport) by-election ... somewhere from mid January to early February.”
Ms Mousley said the savings of holding the by-elections concurrently would be small.
Earlier, Mr Atkinson today used Twitter to reveal the date of the Fisher by-election as December 6. Enrolments will close on November 18 and nominations on the 21st.
Within minutes of the announcement, former Liberal leader Iain Evans released a statement confirming he would retire from Parliament effective next Thursday. Mr Evans said this would allow twin by-elections in Fisher and his seat of Davenport to be held on the same day.
The Liberals have already preselected former Fisher candidate Sam Duluk in Davenport.
The Greens have selected Jody Moate in Davenport and Labor is yet to make an announcement.
Independent minister and former Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith revealed at the weekend he was willing to back candidates of “integrity and standing” in each seat.
The Liberals will hold preselections for Fisher on November 1.
Mr Evans, 55, announced in June last year that he would quit State Parliament within a year.
“With the Fisher by-election announced for December 6, it makes sense to hold both by- elections on the same day,” he said in a statement today.
“As a consequence, I have brought forward my retirement date to facilitate that option.
“Having served as a Cabinet minister for five years, State Liberal Leader and Deputy Liberal Leader, I am proud of my achievements in the South Australian Parliament and in the electorate of Davenport after 21 years. “It’s been an honour and a privilege to have served my local community of Davenport and the broader South Australian community.
“I’d like to thank my constituents in Davenport for allowing me the honour.”
Deputy Premier John Rau said the Liberals were at risk of losing each seat.
Labor would “certainly” run in Fisher and he expected it would contest Davenport.
Mr Atkinson last week said by-election dates would be announced to Parliament. “I would have preferred to announce the timetable to the House but it is not sitting,” he tweeted today.
MORE TO COME