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AAP
AAP
Politics
Tim Dornin

Cregan set to continue as SA parly speaker

South Australia's new premier says independent Dan Cregan will be asked to continue as speaker. (AAP)

Independent MP Dan Cregan is set to retain the speaker's position when the South Australian parliament resumes after Labor's election win.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has confirmed the government will support Mr Cregan continuing in the role.

"Dan Cregan proved himself to be a very good speaker during the last term of government," Mr Malinauskas said in a statement on Friday.

"I and my Labor team will support Mr Cregan continuing in that role when parliament resumes for the new term on Tuesday.

"During the previous term, I sought to enshrine the principle that the speaker should be independent and this is something I am keen to continue now we are in government.

"Despite the fact Labor has a clear majority in the House of Assembly, I want to lead a government which engages constructively with independents, for their communities and for the state."

Mr Cregan was first elevated to the role last year with the support of the then Labor opposition and other crossbench MPs after parliament passed legislation to ensure the position was held by an independent.

That meant if the new Labor government wanted one of their own to take on the role, the MP would need to quit the party for the duration of their tenure.

Just days before becoming speaker, Mr Cregan had angered members of the previous government when he quit the Liberals to sit as an independent.

At the time, he declined the use of a chauffeur-driven car and followed through on a promise to give his pay increase to local charities and community groups in his Adelaide Hills electorate.

At the March poll, Mr Cregan was easily returned, securing more than 75 per cent of the two-party preferred vote.

He was expected to accept the government's offer to stay on as speaker, with parliament returning next week for its first sitting since the election.

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