The top 50 South Australians wielding hidden power

SOME of our state’s most powerful people maintain a low public profile but have immense influence behind the scenes. Drawing from the worlds of politics, business, law and the arts, here’s our list of the top 50 people wielding hidden power in South Australia.

The Advertiser consulted with a range of senior figures from politics and business to create a list of the 50 South Australians who wield the most hidden power. Pictured are four people who made the list — small business advocate Nikki Govan, entrepreneur Ed Peter, arts chief Judy Potter and businessman Geoff Rohrsheim.

A FRESH generation is wielding behind-the-scenes influence and power in South Australia, ushered in by a state Liberal regime emboldened by ending Labor’s 16-year reign.

In SA Weekend’s top 50 covert power holders list unveiled today, there are some who would have barely rated a mention just eight months ago, in the dying days of Jay Weatherill’s Labor state government.

Yet they have been catapulted into the heart of Premier Steven Marshall’s government — just as the influence of others has dimmed or been almost extinguished.

HOW THEY WERE SELECTED

Adelaide is the overwhelmingly dominant population centre in South Australia and, as such, the networks of covert power are centred on the state’s capital. For generations, government has played a powerful role in the state’s economy and development. This means those who exert influence over political leaders are, generally, the holders of hidden power.

These networks radiate from Parliament House on North Tce and the State Administration Centre on Victoria Square. They permeate through the CBD’s business houses and bureaucracies. In some cases, those with hidden power keep a low profile but their influence extends nationally, even across the globe.

There are several, like our list-topper Christopher Pyne, who hold powerful positions. But, like Pyne, their covert influence extends far beyond the realms of their public role. Even if this is not sinister, their agenda and decisions shape the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, generally without the subjects’ knowledge.

Some would not have made the list last year, or at best occupied its lower confines. They include Marshall’s chief of staff James Stevens, his external economic adviser Geoff Rohrsheim and his policy director Courtney Morcombe.

Others that did not make the cut, like political shooting star Nick Xenophon and Chinese tycoon Sally Zou, would have been near the list’s pinnacle little more than six months ago but their influence has rapidly waned.

Like any list, this one is bound to trigger debate, discussion, argument and, perhaps, passionate disagreement.

It was prepared by a panel of Advertiser senior staff members, assisted by high-ranking SA Liberal, Labor and business figures. The latter participated on the condition of anonymity, enabling them to put forward suggestions without fear of repercussions.

The definition of hidden power used by the panel was: “Those who hold covert, behind-the-scenes, underground power and influence in South Australia. This might be those who exert such influence beyond their specified job.”

Advertiser panel members: Paul Starick, Michael McGuire, Jessica Leo, Cameron England, Valerina Changarathil