Rhiannon Kate Pearce is an Australian politician. She has been a Labor member of the South Australian House of Assembly since the 2022 state election, representing King. With a swing of 3.5 per cent, she defeated the incumbent Liberal Party member, Paula Luethen, who had held the seat since 2018 and had a slim pre-election margin of 0.6 per cent.

Rhiannon Pearce
Member of the South Australian House of Assembly
for King
Assumed office
19 March 2022 (2022-03-19)
Preceded byPaula Luethen
Majority52.9 per cent
Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier
Assumed office
24 March 2022 (2022-03-24)
PremierPeter Malinauskas
Preceded byPosition created
Personal details
Political partyLabor
SpouseTodd
Children2
EducationBachelor of Education
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide
CommitteesOccupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation
Public Works
Websiterhiannonpearce.com.au

Pearce grew up in the southern Flinders Ranges in the Mid North of South Australia, has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Adelaide, and is married with two children. Prior to the election she worked as a community engagement advisor for then opposition leader Peter Malinauskas. In March 2022 she was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Susan Close.

Personal life and career

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Rhiannon Kate Pearce grew up in Telowie in the southern Flinders Ranges of the state's Mid North.[1] She attended Napperby Primary School and then completed high school at St Mark's College in Port Pirie.[2] Pearce then moved to Adelaide where she completed a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Adelaide. She then worked as a community engagement advisor for then opposition leader Peter Malinauskas.[1][2] Pearce is married to Todd and has two children.[3]

Political career

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Pearce was the Labor Party candidate for King at the 2022 state election, when she received 52.9 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote (2PP) from 43.2 per cent of the first-preference votes, achieving a 3.5 per cent swing to the Labor Party. She defeated the incumbent Liberal Party member Paula Luethen, who had held the seat since 2018 and only enjoyed a slim margin of 0.6 per cent.[1] Pearce was supported in her campaign by Emily's List Australia.[4] On 24 March 2022, Pearce was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier, Susan Close, in the new Malinauskas ministry. Since 3 May 2022 Pearce has been a member of the parliamentary committees on occupational safety, rehabilitation and compensation, and public works.[2]

Footnotes

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References

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  • "2022 South Australian Election". EMILY's List Australia. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  • "King (Key Seat) - SA Electorate, Candidates, Results". ABC News. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  • "Rhiannon Kate Pearce". Members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  • "My name is Rhiannon Pearce". R. Pearce MP. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
South Australian House of Assembly
Preceded by Member for King
2022–present
Incumbent