Premier's job in jeopardy over barmaid's sex claims

ADELAIDE - A married former parliamentary barmaid says she had sex with South Australian Premier Mike Rann on his Parliament House desk during a lengthy affair.

Rann, a former Auckland journalist, bunkered down yesterday, refusing to make any comment on Michelle Chantelois' claims, which were aired on the Seven Network and could end his seven-year rule of the state.

The Premier, who faces a state election in March, will make a statement today about her allegations of an affair with him that started in 2003 and ended in 2005. Rann married his wife, Sasha Carruzzo, in July 2006.

Chantelois' estranged husband, Richard Phillips, 55, is due in court next month accused of assaulting Rann by hitting him in the face with a rolled-up magazine at a corporate function. He allegedly yelled at the Premier, "Remember my wife".

Chantelois, in a paid interview, told the Sunday Night programme she had sex with Rann on a number of occasions, including on his Parliament House desk and the floor of his office.

She said the fling started when Rann invited her to his office because "he wanted to kiss me".

Chantelois said he made it clear "this was going to be our little secret" and had rules including "we can't fall in love with each other".

Chantelois said she quit her parliamentary position in 2003 but exchanges between herself and Rann resumed in early 2004.

On one occasion, the pair went to the Premier's office and "the clothes came off, the intercourse began".

Chantelois also detailed late-night encounters at the North Adelaide golf course. "It was always late in the evening, dark, no one could see us.

"I'm ashamed to say it, but yes, intimacy was involved.

"And then I would drive him back to Parliament House, he would get out of the vehicle and go back to work."

Rann has previously admitted a friendship with Chantelois, saying his current wife was "very aware of her".

- AAP