Two of South Australia's most senior cabinet ministers, Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, will quit politics at next year's state election in March.

Premier Peter Malinauskas was visibly emotional when he announced the pair will not be contesting their seats at a sudden press conference this afternoon.

He said he was taken aback when he was approached by the ministers separately a few weeks ago and tried his best to convince them not to leave, but they both shared personal reasons for their departures.

"'I'm here today to make it very clear that my persuasive powers failed, and they have both announced their resignation to our cabinet earlier today," Malinauskas told the media.

"I'm really sad by this. I've known Susan and Stephen for a long time, and they're

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