Following six election victories, nine years in government and countless hours driving around Australia’s third-biggest electorate, Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has announced he will retire at the next election.

First elected in 2007, Mr Ramsey has never dipped below 42.74 per cent first preference popularity, and boasted 60.07 per cent of the two-candidate vote at the 2022 election.

“This has not been an easy decision to make, as I still have unwavering enthusiasm for the job,” Mr Ramsey said.

“However, like many, I am aware my ‘piece of string’ has a definite, if undetermined length, and consequently, with my wife Teresa, who has been such an important support, we have decided it is time to tackle the next chapter of our lives.”

Grey covers 92.4 per cent of South Australia by area, and Mr Ramsey said he’s pleased with the investment in road infrastructure which has occurred during his time in parliament.

“While I recognise success has many parents, I am nonetheless proud of the support I secured for unprecedented investment in our road network,” he said.

“The works include the Port Wakefield overpass, second bridge at Port Augusta, dual lanes for the Augusta Highway, huge improvements to multiple highways including Horrocks, Barrier, Eyre, Tod, Birdseye and Lincoln.”

Mr Ramsey thanked his staff and supporters for their help across his tenure.

“Ensuring the diversity, obstacles and opportunities of a vast seat like Grey are taken to the Federal Parliament is a challenge of the first order,” he said.

“There are never enough hours, days or weeks, but I have done my utmost to visit all communities regularly, including the most remote, to talk to constituents and develop relationships with leaders to ensure I know what is going on in their patch.

“I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and support provided by the Liberal Party and particularly to the electors of Grey for entrusting me with the responsibility to represent them over such a long period.

“We will keep working with the same dedication until the election is called.”

Senator Simon Birmingham praised Mr Ramsey for his tireless efforts to represent his region.

“In the parliament he has served with distinction as Government Whip in the House of Representatives under the former Coalition government and also in Opposition,” Mr Birmingham said.

“In addition, he has represented the needs of regional Australians in his work on committees including those focused on agriculture, water, trade and investment growth.

“Rowan has always brought a principled and thoughtful approach to his parliamentary service, from early debates around the abolition of the wheat single desk, the pursuit of trade liberalisation, investment in agricultural research and development, and the need for critical infrastructure investment in regional communities.

“Of note about Rowan’s service has been the selfless way in which he balanced national interest with community interest regarding Australia’s need to resolve decades of impasse over the safe storage of low-level nuclear waste.” 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 26 March 2024.