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 his time as Premier, he served as Australia's top diplomat in other countries. He was the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2013 to 2014. A High Commissioner is like an ambassador for countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. He was also the Australian Ambassador to Italy, Albania, Libya and San Marino from 2014 to 2016.

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

Rann became the leader of the Labor Party in South Australia in 1994. He also became the Leader of the Opposition in South Australia. The Opposition Leader leads the main party that is not in power. He led his party to form a government after the 2002 election. He stepped down as Premier in October 2011, and Jay Weatherill took over.

Rann is one of the longest-serving Premiers of South Australia. He was the Labor Party leader in South Australia for 17 years, from 1994 to 2011. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Assembly from 1985 until he resigned in 2012.

Early Life and Education

Mike Rann was born in Sidcup, Kent, England. His father was an electrician who fought in World War II. His mother worked in a factory. Mike spent most of his childhood in South London with his father.

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

He earned two degrees in political science from the University of Auckland. During his university years, he was involved in student activities. He was also a political journalist for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.

In 1977, Rann moved to Adelaide, Australia. He worked as an advisor for the Premier of South Australia, Don Dunstan. He also worked for later Labor Premiers, Des Corcoran and John Bannon. During this time, Rann helped develop policies on important topics like civil liberties, Aboriginal land rights, and women's rights.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Rann was elected to the South Australian Parliament in the 1985 election. He represented the area of Briggs in north Adelaide.

After the 1989 election, he became a minister. He was the Minister for Employment and Further Education, Minister of Youth Affairs, and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

As a minister, he helped create job programs for young people. He also expanded TAFE, which provides vocational training. He helped establish the new University of South Australia in 1991, which is now the biggest university in the state. 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. As Minister of Tourism, he helped set up the South Australian Tourism Commission.

In the 1993 election, the Labor government lost power. This was mainly due to problems with the State Bank of South Australia. 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 worked to reconnect with voters. He strongly opposed selling off public services like water and electricity. In the 1997 election, Labor gained many seats back. They almost won enough seats for Rann to become Premier.

Premier of South Australia (2002–2011)

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

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

Mike Rann remained Leader of the Opposition until the 2002 election. After this election, Labor gained two seats from the Liberals. This meant Labor was one seat short of forming a government on its own.

After some discussions, Mike Rann was able to form a government with the support of independent politicians. He became the Premier of South Australia on 5 March 2002.

As Premier, Rann also held other important roles. He was the Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change. He worked to improve the state's economy, help people who were struggling, support the arts, and address climate change.

Achievements as Premier

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

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

During his time as Premier, Mike Rann's government achieved many things. They increased job numbers and lowered unemployment. They also increased spending on schools, universities, health, and mental health services.

South Australia became a leader in renewable energy under his government. The state had the largest amount of wind power in Australia. They also explored hot rock power and used solar power for public services. The state's finances improved, earning a top credit rating.

Rann's government also supported the arts and culture. They funded theatres and introduced the Festival of Ideas. They also helped make major festivals like WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Fringe, and the Adelaide Festival of Arts annual events.

In the 2006 election, Rann was re-elected comfortably. His party won a large majority of seats. Many people saw him as the most popular Premier in Australia during his first two terms.

Third Term and Resignation

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

The Rann Labor government won a third term in the 2010 state election. This made it the longest-serving Labor government in South Australian history.

During this term, his government started many large infrastructure projects. These included updating Adelaide's train lines, expanding the Adelaide tram line, building a new Royal Adelaide Hospital, and redeveloping the Adelaide Oval. They also worked on expanding mining and defence industries.

In early 2011, Mike Rann changed his cabinet after his Deputy Premier, Kevin Foley, resigned. Later that year, in July 2011, Mike Rann announced he would step down as Premier. Jay Weatherill took over as the new Premier in October 2011.

Rann officially resigned from Parliament on 13 January 2012.

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 and a visiting fellow at the University of Auckland. He also joined international groups focused on climate change.

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

On 23 August 2012, he became the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He also served as Australia's Ambassador to Italy, San Marino, Albania, and Libya.

As of 2025, Mike Rann works as a business consultant for his own company, the Rann Strategy Group. 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, David and Eleanor. In 2006, he married his second wife, Sasha Carruozzo.

In 2020, Rann shared that he planned to live part of the year in Adelaide, Australia, and part of the year in Puglia, Italy. In Italy, he would produce olive oil.

Honours and Awards

Mike Rann has received several honours for his service:

• In 2016, he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is one of Australia's highest honours, given for great service to the country.
• In 2001, he received the Centenary Medal.
• He has also received honours from other countries, including Poland (2005), Greece (2007), and New Zealand (2009).
• In 2010, an environmental group in India named him a Global Champion of Climate Change.

See also

• Premier's Climate Change Council
• Rann government