Mike Rann facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Mike Rann AC CNZM
44th Premier of South Australia
In office 5 March 2002 – 21 October 2011
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Governor	Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Kevin Scarce
Deputy	Kevin Foley John Rau
Preceded by	Rob Kerin
Succeeded by	Jay Weatherill
Diplomatic Posts Australian Ambassador to Italy, Albania, Libya and San Marino In office 27 June 2014 – 8 January 2016 Preceded by David Ritchie Succeeded by Greg French Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom In office 23 August 2012 – 31 March 2014 Preceded by John Dauth Succeeded by Alexander Downer] National President of the Labor Party In office 27 February 2008 – 27 December 2008 Preceded by John Faulkner Succeeded by Linda Burney
Leader of the Opposition in South Australia
In office 20 September 1994 – 5 March 2002
Deputy	Ralph Clarke Annette Hurley
Preceded by	Lynn Arnold
Succeeded by	Rob Kerin
Leader of the South Australian Labor Party
In office 20 September 1994 – 21 October 2011
Deputy	Ralph Clarke Annette Hurley Kevin Foley John Rau
Preceded by	Lynn Arnold
Succeeded by	Jay Weatherill
Deputy Leader of the South Australian Labor Party
In office 14 December 1993 – 20 September 1994
Leader	Dr. Lynn Arnold
Preceded by	Frank Blevins
Succeeded by	Ralph Clarke
Minister for Business and Tourism
In office 1 October 1992 – 14 December 1993
Preceded by	Barbara Wiese
Succeeded by	Graham Ingerson
Minister of Employment and Further Education, Minister of Youth and Aboriginal Affairs
In office 14 December 1989 – 1 October 1992
Preceded by	Terry Hemmings
Succeeded by	Kym Mayes
Member of the South Australian House of Assembly
In office 7 December 1985 – 13 January 2012
Preceded by	district established (Briggs) Lynn Arnold (Ramsay)
Succeeded by	district abolished (Briggs) Zoe Bettison (Ramsay)
Constituency	Briggs (1985–1993) Ramsay (1993–2012)
Personal details
Born	Michael David Rann (1953-01-05) 5 January 1953 (age 72) Sidcup, Kent, England, UK
Political party	Australian Labor Party (SA)
Other political affiliations	New Zealand Labour Party (1970s)
Spouses	Jenny Russell (divorced) Sasha Carruozzo (2006–present)
Education	Northcote College
Alma mater	University of Auckland
Profession	Journalist

Michael David Rann (born 5 January 1953) is an Australian former politician. He was the 44th Premier of South Australia from 2002 to 2011. A Premier is the leader of a state government in Australia.

After being Premier, he worked as a diplomat. He was the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2013 to 2014. He also served as the Australian Ambassador to Italy, Albania, Libya, and San Marino from 2014 to 2016.

Rann grew up in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. He studied political science at the University of Auckland. Before becoming a politician, he advised Labor politicians in South Australia.

He became the leader of the Labor Party in South Australia in 1994. He led the party to win the 2002 election. He was Premier for nine years. He is one of the longest-serving Premiers in South Australia's history. He was also the Labor Party's parliamentary leader for 17 years.

Early Life and Education

Michael Rann was born in Sidcup, Kent, England. His father was an electrician and his mother worked in a factory. He spent most of his childhood in South London.

In 1962, when he was nine, his family moved to New Zealand. They lived in small towns like Mangakino and Matamata. Later, they moved to Birkenhead, New Zealand, near Auckland. He went to Northcote College there.

Rann studied at the University of Auckland. He earned a Bachelor and Master of Arts degree in political science. During his university years, he was involved in student activities. He was also the editor of the student newspaper, Craccum. After university, he worked as a political journalist.

In 1977, Rann moved to Adelaide, Australia. He started working for the Premier of South Australia, Don Dunstan. He was a press secretary and speech writer. He also advised other Labor Premiers, Des Corcoran and John Bannon. During this time, he helped develop policies on important topics. These included civil liberties, Aboriginal land rights, and women's rights.

Starting a Political Career

Rann was elected to the Parliament of South Australia in 1985. He became the Member for Briggs, a safe Labor area in north Adelaide.

After the 1989 election, he joined the government's team of ministers. He became the Minister for Employment and Further Education. He was also the Minister of Youth Affairs and Aboriginal Affairs.

As a minister, he started new programs. These included the Kickstart employment scheme. He also helped expand TAFE colleges, which provide vocational training. In 1991, he helped create the new University of South Australia. As Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, he worked to clean up lands affected by nuclear tests. He also helped return sacred lands to the Maralinga Tjarutja people.

In 1993, the Labor government lost the election. This was mainly due to problems with the State Bank of South Australia. Labor won only 10 seats. After this, Rann became the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. A few months later, he became the Leader of the Opposition in September 1994.

As Opposition Leader, Rann started a "Labor Listens" plan. He wanted to reconnect with voters. He strongly opposed selling off public services like water and electricity. He also used information from the Liberal government to show their disagreements.

In the 1997 election, Labor gained many seats. They almost doubled their number of seats from 1993. This forced the Liberal government to form a minority government. This means they needed support from other parties to govern.

Premier of South Australia (2002–2011)

Rann (left) with former US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick (right) in 2005.

Rann remained the Leader of the Opposition until the 2002 election. In this election, Labor gained two seats from the Liberals. This meant Labor was one seat short of having a majority.

At first, it looked like the Liberal Premier, Rob Kerin, would stay in power. He had the support of four independent politicians. However, one independent, Peter Lewis, decided to support Labor. This allowed Rann to form a government.

After three weeks of discussion, the new Parliament met. The Liberal government's motion of confidence failed. This meant they did not have enough support to govern. So, Premier Kerin resigned. Mike Rann then became the Premier of South Australia.

As Premier, Rann also held other important roles. He was the Minister for Economic Development and Minister for the Arts. He also focused on social inclusion and climate change. In 2006, he became chairman of a new Australian Federation Council. This council worked to improve ties between state and federal governments.

Achievements as Premier

Rann (right) with Minister for Transport Pat Conlon (left) opening the extension of the Glenelg tram line in 2007.

During his time as Premier, Rann's government achieved many things. They helped create more jobs and lower unemployment. They increased funding for schools, universities, and health services. South Australia became a leader in wind power in Australia. The state also started using solar power for public services.

Under Rann's government, South Australia's finances became very strong. The state earned a top credit rating, called a AAA rating. This showed that the government was managing money well.

Rann also supported the arts and culture. He provided funding for theatres and art galleries. He helped make major festivals like WOMADelaide and the Adelaide Fringe annual events. He also supported the creation of the Adelaide Film Festival.

In the 2006 election, Rann was re-elected easily. Labor won 28 seats, which was their largest majority in many years. Rann was often the most popular Premier in Australia during his first two terms.

Later Years as Premier

Rann at National Sorry Day in Elder Park, Adelaide, for the apology to the stolen generations in 2008.

In 2010, the Rann Labor government won a third term. They won 26 out of 47 seats. This made it the longest period a Labor government had served in South Australia. Rann also became the longest-serving Labor leader in the state's history.

For his third term, Rann's government planned many large projects. These included updating Adelaide's train lines and expanding the tram line. They also planned a new Royal Adelaide Hospital and a redevelopment of the Adelaide Oval. They worked on expanding mining and defence industries.

In early 2011, Rann changed some of his cabinet ministers. His Deputy Premier, Kevin Foley, resigned from his roles. John Rau became the new Deputy Premier.

In July 2011, it was reported that senior Labor Party members wanted to replace Rann. They suggested Jay Weatherill as the new leader. A day later, Rann confirmed he would step down. He formally resigned as Premier on 21 October 2011. Jay Weatherill then became the new Premier.

Rann resigned from Parliament on 13 January 2012. This led to a special election for his seat. Zoe Bettison easily won the seat for Labor.

After Parliament

Rann (right) with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (second right) at the London Stock Exchange in 2014.

After leaving Parliament, Mike Rann took on several new roles. He became a professor at Flinders University. He also joined the International Leadership Council of The Climate Group. This group works on climate change issues.

In 2012, he became the chair of Low Carbon Australia Pty Ltd. This was a government bank that helped companies reduce carbon emissions.

On 23 August 2012, Rann was appointed the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. This is a top diplomatic role. He also became Australia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino, Albania, and Libya. He represented Australia at the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization.

As of 2020, he works as a business consultant. In 2022, he joined the board of directors for a company called Spacetalk.

Personal Life

Mike Rann was married to Jenny Russell and they had two children. In 2006, he married his second wife, Sasha Carruozzo.

In 2020, Rann announced that he plans to live part of the year in Adelaide and part of the year in Italy. In Italy, he plans to produce olive oil.

Honours and Awards

Mike Rann has received several honours for his work:

Orders

• 2016: Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is a high honour for his service to South Australia and Australia's international relations.

Medals

• 2001: Centenary Medal.

Foreign Honours

• 2006: Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Poland).
• 2007: Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix (Greece).
• 2009: Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM). This was for his work in improving relations between New Zealand and Australia.

Organisations

• 2010: Global Champion of Climate Change by Exnora International, an environmental group from India.

Images for kids

• 

  Former Prime Minister of Australia Gough Whitlam with wife Margaret at the wedding of Rann and Sasha Carruozzo in 2006.

• 

  Labor MP Nick Champion, Rann, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Tony Piccolo in Gawler for the Tour Down Under in 2010.