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AAP
AAP
Politics
Tim Dornin

Former SA deputy premier to quit politics

Former South Australia deputy premier Vickie Chapman will quit parliament. (AAP)

Former deputy premier Vickie Chapman has revealed plans to quit the South Australian parliament just weeks after the state election.

Her decision has prompted calls from Premier Peter Malinauskas for any other opposition MPs considering a similar move to make their intentions known to ensure all by-elections can be held on the same day.

Ms Chapman was returned in her eastern suburbs seat of Bragg but suffered an eight per cent swing against her.

But she now plans to quit towards the end of May, describing the move as an opportunity for further generational change within the opposition ranks.

The 64-year-old was first elected to parliament in 2002 and served two stints as deputy Liberal leader.

With the election of the Liberal government in 2018, she became the state's first female deputy premier.

But she stepped down from the post and that of planning minister in November last year after the state ombudsman began investigating whether she had a conflict of interest in rejecting a port proposal on Kangaroo Island, where her family owns property.

The ombudsman is yet to hand down his findings.

Mr Malinauskas said while it was hardly surprising there were continued divisions within the Liberal ranks, it was surprising Ms Chapman had announced her intentions on the same day David Speirs was elected the new opposition leader.

He said it was also evidence that the Liberals took Adelaide's eastern suburbs for granted.

"We need to know if there are more coming. If there are going to be more by-elections, they've got to be at the same time," the premier told reporters on Wednesday.

"We can't see a drip-feed of by-elections adding ever more inconvenience and expense to the people of our state."

Mr Speirs said Ms Chapman would leave behind an immense legacy as South Australia's first female deputy premier and first female attorney-general.

"I thank her for her service to South Australia and the Liberal Party and wish her all the best in retirement," he said.

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