Mike Rann

Mike Rann is Australia’s longest-serving incumbent Premier.

He was elected as South Australia’s 44th Premier in March 2002, and was re-elected with an increased majority four years later. As well as serving as Premier, Mr Rann holds the strategic portfolios of Economic Development, Social Inclusion, the Arts, and Sustainability and Climate Change.

He is Chair of The Climate Group’s International States and Regions Network. In 2008, he was National President of the Australian Labor Party, and is currently Vice President.  In 2006-2007, Mr Rann was Chair of the Council for the Australian Federation. He was born in Sidcup, Kent, in 1953. His father was an electrician who fought at El Alamein, and his mother worked in an armaments factory during World War II, making parts for Spitfires.

In 1962, his family left London for New Zealand.

He completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies at Auckland University, and was prominent in the New Zealand campaign against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

After graduating, he worked as a political journalist for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, before moving to South Australia in 1977 to become a press secretary, speechwriter and adviser to three South Australian Labor Premiers, including the late Don Dunstan. He has an honorary doctorate from the University of South Australia and has been honoured by the Governments of Poland, Greece and New Zealand.

Mr Rann is married to Sasha Carruozzo.  He has two children, and is involved in soccer and the arts.