Steven Marshall’s first Liberal government Cabinet to include mega transport, planning portfolio
PREMIER Steven Marshall’s new Cabinet been sworn in, elevating a rising star to a mega transport and planning portfolio and shifting a former attack dog to a key economic post.
SA 2018
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PREMIER Steven Marshall’s new Cabinet has elevated a rising star to a mega transport and planning portfolio and shifts a former attack dog to a key economic post.
Sworn in by SA Governor Hieu Van Le on Thursday, the 14-person line-up features no changes from the group of frontbenchers that went to the election, but Mr Marshall says some portfolios and responsiblities had been reallocated.
The Minister for Human Services carries responsibility for social housing, status of women, youth, volunteers and disabilities.
The Minister for Industry and Skills is also responsible for small business and child protection is a stand-alone ministry that incorporates the responsibilities of the former minister for child protection reform and those previously held by the minister for education and child development.
Liberal MP Vincent Tarzia is also poised to become Parliament’s new Speaker, a major elevation that follows his dramatic election victory over SA Best leader Nick Xenophon.
Advertiser.com.au on Wednesday night exclusively revealed the new Cabinet also includes a swap from Opposition responsibilities in the trade and agriculture roles, as well as a new face in charge of police.
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Mr Marshall has slashed the number of portfolio titles by more than half, amid other changes that he promises will demand new accountability of his fledgling ministers.
He plans to have Cabinet meetings twice a week, and said a dramatic increase in the number of ministers with business backgrounds would ensure a sharp new economic focus.
“We are going to end Labor’s organisational chaos, which has delivered poor government over the last 16 years,” Mr Marshall said.
“There’s going to be a lot more accountability and direct lines of responsibility that will deliver better decision-making for the people of SA.
“There is no doubt that we have got to be growing our economy, through making sure that the private sector gets a good run. The makeup of our Cabinet reflects that requirement.
“Many of the people in our Cabinet have actually been in business and employed people. That’s a good set of skills we think to help grow our economy in SA.”
Liberal Upper House leader David Ridgway will become Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister, moving away from agriculture responsibilities in opposition. He swaps roles with meat and grain farmer Tim Whetstone, who takes the agriculture portfolio.
Barossa MP Stephan Knoll, considered a possible future leader or treasurer, jumps from police responsibilities to a major portfolio that combines transport and urban development with planning.
He will oversee projects already in the pipeline, including the King William St tram’s right-turn to North Tce, and establish a new expert agency to examine others such as completion of a non-stop South Rd from Gawler to Port Noarlunga and possible underground CBD train link.
Former transport spokesman David Pisoni, an attack dog in opposition, claims the industry and skills ministry, where he will oversee matching of training to business needs.
However, formal oversight of TAFE will remain under the education portfolio.
Former TV journalist Corey Wingard moves from the industry roles to police.
Mr Marshall was sworn in as Premier on Monday alongside Deputy Premier and Attorney-General Vickie Chapman.
Treasurer Rob Lucas returned to a job he had when the Liberals were last in power, and is the only new minister to have been inside a Cabinet room.
The ministry includes two with farming backgrounds, several from small business, a former Department of Premier and Cabinet public servant and past ministerial staffers.
The Cabinet is expected to meet informally early Thursday, ahead of the swearing-in at Government House. Mr Marshall has made preparations for a first official Cabinet meeting next week.
Other senior figures in the Cabinet include Education Minister John Gardner, Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade and Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan. Mr van Holst Pellekaan will be charged with getting power bills down and securing the network, and has also been touted as a possible treasurer when Mr Lucas retires in 2022.
Mr Marshall plans a major reorganisation of government departments so each chief executive reports to only one minister.
On Wednesday he announced the sacking of four agency bosses.
Mr Marshall said the Cabinet “tweaks” would “better utilise the skills of each individual”.
“There are no losers in this reshuffle,” he insisted.
The new SA Government’s Cabinet
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Vickie Chapman
Deputy Premier, justice reform, consumer and business affairs.
TREASURER
Rob Lucas
Industrial relations, public sector, finance.
INDUSTRY AND SKILLS MINISTER
David Pisoni
Employment, manufacturing and innovation, automotive transformation, science and information economy, state development, small business.
EDUCATION MINISTER
John Gardner
Education and child development, higher education and skills.
TRADE, TOURISM & INVESTMENT MINISTER
David Ridgway
Health industries, tourism, investment and trade.
HUMAN SERVICES MINISTER
Michelle Lensink
Communities and social inclusion, social housing, status of women, youth, volunteers, disabilities.
CHILD PROTECTION MINISTER
Rachel Sanderson
Child protection reform.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING MINISTER
Stephen Wade
Health, ageing, mental health and substance abuse.
ENVIRONMENT AND WATER MINISTER
David Speirs
Sustainability, environment and conservation, water, the River Murray, climate change
TRANSPORT, INFRASTRUCTURE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT & PLANNING MINISTER
Stephan Knoll
Transport and infrastructure, housing and urban development, city of Adelaide, local government.
ENERGY AND MINING MINISTER
Dan van Holst Pellekaan
Mineral resources and energy.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER
Tim Whetstone
Agriculture, food, fisheries, forests, regional development.
POLICE, EMERGENCY SERVICES, CORRECTIONS, SPORT AND RACING MINISTER
Corey Wingard
Police, correctional services, emergency services, road safety, recreation and sport, racing.
PREMIER
Steven Marshall
Aboriginal affairs and reconciliation, defence and space industries, arts, veterans affairs, multicultural affairs.
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