Outgoing premier Steven Marshall quits as Liberal Party leader after SA election defeat

South Australia’s outgoing Premier has released a statement saying he takes “full responsibility” for the election defeat.

Outgoing South Australian premier Steven Marshall will step down as leader of the Liberal Party following its defeat.

The Labor Party, led by Peter Malinauskas, is set to form a majority government after a decisive victory at Saturday’s state election.

The ABC is projecting Labor will win 26 seats and the Liberals 15, with five independents.

Big swings towards Labor across the state made Mr Malinauskas the first leader to defeat an incumbent government anywhere in Australia since the pandemic began.

Mr Marshall said he would resign as Liberal leader as soon as the party room could meet and elect his successor.

Steven Marshall will step down as leader of the Liberal Party in South Australia. Picture: Tom Huntley

“I have also made the decision, that after more than nine years as leader of the Liberal Parliamentary Party, it is time for someone else to lead the team into the future,” he said in a statement.

“I thank all my past and current colleagues for their support over the past nine years and will do all that I can to assist the new Liberal Leader to succeed.”

He said he was proud of his government’s achievements during the “most extraordinary of times”, including keeping South Australians safe through natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic.

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

Mr Marshall said he had informed the South Australian Governor on Sunday that he was unable to form government, after conceding defeat the previous night.

He said he looked forward to serving the people of his electorate of Dunstan.

Mr Marshall has suffered at least a 7.1 per cent swing to Labor in his own inner Adelaide electorate, with about 55 per cent of the votes counted as of Sunday afternoon.

Originally published as Outgoing premier Steven Marshall quits as Liberal Party leader after SA election defeat