Former South Australian attorney-general John Rau says he's proud to have played a role in making the state a safer place as he brings his 16-year political career to a close.
Mr Rau will follow former premier Jay Weatherill into retirement, with the two safe Labor seats now likely to go to by-elections on the same day, probably in February.
"Now is the right time for me to leave parliament and give the Labor Party an opportunity for further renewal," Mr Rau said in a statement on Monday.
"I am proud to have played my part in the former Labor government, including reforming the Return to Work scheme and making community safety the number one priority for criminal law."
Mr Rau, 59, has held the seat of Enfield since 2002 and said it was only in recent days that he had decided he would not contest it again at the next state election in 2022.
He served in the Labor ministry from 2010 to 2018 and as deputy premier from 2011 to 2018.
Mr Rau did not seek a Labor front bench position after the party lost the March state election.
The former lawyer caused some controversy in 2016 when he was appointed a senior counsel by Supreme Court Chief Justice Chris Kourakis.
It raised speculation at the time that he would seek a judicial appointment.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas said the departure of both Mr Weatherill and Mr Rau provided Labor with an opportunity for renewal it would take very seriously.
"I look forward to our party presenting fresh faces in forthcoming by-elections as we renew the party under my leadership," he said.
Mr Malinauskas said Mr Rau had served the party and the people of South Australia with distinction.
Australian Associated Press
