How Mike Rann turned around a 'basket case' economy

The Rt Hon. Mike Rann, former Premier of South Australia, is to give his first public seminar at The University Auckland in his new role as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow in the Political Studies Department.

His seminar on Thursday 3 May will address leadership in policy making.

The Labor Government in South Australia was under Mr Rann’s leadership from 2002 to 2011. In that time it worked closely with business to rapidly turn-around, diversify and revitalise a state that was considered a 'basket case' economically.

Rann will detail how the South Australian Strategic Plan, which has won international awards, in combination with the Thinkers in Residence Program, came into being, and why both have been considered a success.

“What becomes evident is that being pro-business, pro-environment and pro-social justice are not mutually exclusive and that thinking outside the square is an important component of leadership in policy making,” he says.

Mr Rann is a New Zealand citizen. He studied at the Political Studies Department at The University of Auckland and emigrated to Australia in 1977. He served as Premier of South Australia from 2002 to 2011.

In 2009 Mr Rann was awarded a CNZM and in 2011 received a Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of Auckland.

Earlier this year he was appointed a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the University. He makes regular visits to Auckland from his South Australian base to present classes in politics and public policy and to give public seminars.

The upcoming seminar, titled ‘Policy Leadership: Having a Plan’ will be chaired by Dr Jennifer Curtin, Coordinator, Master of Public Policy Programme, Department of Political Studies. The discussant will be Professor Brad Jackson, Fletcher Building Education Trust Chair in Leadership, New Zealand Leadership Institute, Auckland Business School.

Policy Leadership: Having a Plan, by the Rt Hon. Mike Rann, is on Thursday 3 May, 3pm to 4pm, Decima Glenn Room, Level 3, Auckland Business School, Grafton Road.