Speaker of the House of Assembly and MP for Mawson Leon Bignell has announced he will retire from politics at the March election.

Leon Bignell has served as the Member for Mawson since 2006, an electorate covering the McLaren Vale wine region, the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.

From 2013 to 2018 Me Bignell was Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, Forests, Tourism, Sport, Recreation and Racing.

He was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly in April 2024.

Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Bignell worked for two decades as a journalist including stints with the ABC, Channel 7, Channel 10, News Ltd and two years working in Switzerland as a foreign correspondent.

Mr Bignell says he loves the people of the local area and every inch of this beautiful part of the world that he calls home. 

“From McLaren Vale to the western end of Kangaroo Island we have a series of communities. Some large like Aldinga, some small like Second Valley. 

“They all have their own personality. And they're all full of wonderful personalities. 

“It's been my absolute pleasure to work hard for each and every one of them during the past 20 years. 

“Together we came up with the toughest protection laws in Australia to save the McLaren Vale food and wine region from urban sprawl and gutter to gutter housing. 

“That Act of Parliament locks in a billion dollar a year food, wine and tourism sector and has helped support thousands of local jobs and hundreds of small, medium and large businesses. 

“Politics is not that complicated. Democracy is about people. So if you put your hand up to serve you have to be out and about with the people you represent. 

“To the school students, the sporting clubs and community groups across the electorate thank you for inspiring me, for energising me and for giving me your time. 

“To the people of Mawson. Thanks so much for your trust and for backing me in at five successive elections since 2006. I’m still here until March 21. And I’ll be working hard for our area right up to election day.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas describes the MP as a phenomenon.

“There are few MPs with such a powerful ability to connect with their communities and with people from all walks of life.

“This power of connection has made him a highly effective leader. The people of Mawson have always known that Leon would fight for them. That was especially true during the KI bushfires.

“As an MP and a Minister, Leon was focused on delivery. He leaves a visible legacy of significant infrastructure, and legislation that protects our precious winegrowing regions from being swamped by suburbs.

“As Speaker, he’s served the Parliament well, ensuring fair debate and finding common ground across party lines across the chamber.

“I wish Leon well in the next phase of his career."