Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced revisions to his cabinet, tailored to address pivotal challenges and opportunities in South Australia’s economy. These adjustments are particularly aimed at tackling the housing crisis, leveraging the accelerated growth in population and job markets catalyzed by AUKUS and naval surface shipbuilding prospects, and implementing a pioneering ban on political donations.
Deputy Premier Susan Close will assume a new role as Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy, emphasizing the importance of aligning the recently secured $2.29 billion in skills funding with the state’s future workforce requirements. Population and workforce planning functions will be centralized within the Department for Industry, Innovation, and Science.
To underscore the government’s dedication to prioritizing housing and homeownership, a new Department of Housing and Urban Development will be established. Minister Nick Champion will lead an expanded housing super portfolio encompassing all facets of housing, housing infrastructure, urban development, and planning, including oversight of SA Water.
Consolidating these interrelated portfolio areas under one minister aims to streamline decision-making processes and expedite the construction of additional homes.
The new super portfolio will include:
- Housing SA
- Housing, Infrastructure, Planning and Development Unit
- SA Water
- Renewal SA including the Urban Renewal Authority Board
- Office of Regional Housing
- Planning and Land Use Services
- Office for Design and Architecture South Australia
- Plan SA
- Office of the Valuer General
- Office of the Surveyor General
- Office of the Registrar General
“I am proud to lead a strong, unified team which is utterly dedicated to delivering better outcomes for South Australians, not just for now, but for the long term,” Peter Malinauskas said.
“As a state, we are at a critical juncture. We have a nation-leading economy, low unemployment and a huge pipeline of work coming our way which has the capacity to result in a more complex economy, delivering better jobs and higher wages to South Australians.”
Mr. David Reynolds, the current Chief Executive of the Department for Trade and Investment and former Under Treasurer, will lead the newly established Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Following Minister Geoff Brock’s resignation, the Government maintains an independent voice in the Cabinet with Dan Cregan assuming the role of Minister for Police, Emergency Services, and Correctional Services, as well as Special Minister of State. In his capacity as Special Minister of State, Mr. Cregan will spearhead the government’s implementation of pioneering political donation reform and oversee electoral matters, the Electoral Commission of South Australia, and Parliamentary resources (Electorate Services).
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan will broaden his responsibilities as Minister for Defence and Space Industries.
Minister Nat Cook will retain her crucial roles in Human Services and additionally take on the portfolio of Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well, focusing on enhancing the lives of senior South Australians and advocating for age-diverse, accessible workplaces and communities.
Minister Joe Szakacs will assume responsibility for Trade and Investment, Local Government, and Veterans Affairs.
Minister Tom Koutsantonis will expand his portfolio to include Regional Roads alongside Infrastructure and Transport.
Assistant Minister Rhiannon Pearce will transition to the role of Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation. The government aims to encourage more young South Australians to embrace physical activity for improved physical and mental well-being, working closely with Minister Katrine Hildyard to promote active lifestyles from an early age.
Several Machinery of Government changes will support the Cabinet’s endeavours, scheduled to take effect from mid-2024.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Ministry – Order of Precedence
The Hon PETER BRYDEN MALINAUSKAS, BCom, MP
Premier
Member of Executive Council
The Hon Dr SUSAN ELIZABETH CLOSE, BA (Hons), PhD, MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy
Member of Executive Council
The Hon KYAM JOSEPH MAHER, LLB, BEc, GDLP, MLC
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Attorney-General
Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector
Member of Executive Council
Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council
The Hon ANASTASIOS (TOM) KOUTSANTONIS, MP
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Minister for Energy and Mining
Member of Executive Council
Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly
The Hon STEPHEN CAMPBELL MULLIGHAN, BA, MP
Treasurer
Minister for Defence and Space Industries
Member of Executive Council
The Hon ZOE LEE BETTISON, BA, MBA, MP
Minister for Tourism
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Member of Executive Council
The Hon CHRISTOPHER (CHRIS) JAMES PICTON, LLB/LP, BA, MP
Minister for Health and Wellbeing
Member of Executive Council
The Hon KATRINE ANNE HILDYARD, BA, MP
Minister for Child Protection
Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
Member of Executive Council
The Hon NATALIE (NAT) FLEUR COOK, BNsg, MP
Minister for Human Services
Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well
Member of Executive Council
The Hon CLARE MICHELE SCRIVEN, GDipMgmt, GCertPubSecMgmt, MLC
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister for Forest Industries
Member of Executive Council
The Hon BLAIR INGRAM BOYER, BA, LLB, MP
Minister for Education, Training and Skills
Member of Executive Council
The Hon ANDREA MICHAELS, LLB, BCom, GDLP, MP
Minister for Small and Family Business Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs Minister for Arts
Member of Executive Council
The Hon JOSEPH (JOE) KARL SZAKACS, LLB/LP, MP
Minister for Trade and Investment
Minister for Local Government
Minister for Veterans Affairs
Member of Executive Council
The Hon NICHOLAS (NICK) DAVID CHAMPION, MP
Minister for Housing and Urban Development
Minister for Housing Infrastructure
Minister for Planning
Member of Executive Council
The Hon DANIEL (DAN) ROY CREGAN, BA, LLB, LLM, MP
Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services
Special Minister of State Member of Executive Council
The Hon EMILY BOURKE MLC
Assistant Minister for Autism
Ms RHIANNON PEARCE MP
Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation
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