Christopher Pyne and Jay Weatherill to become Industry Professors at UniSA

Christopher Pyne and Jay Weatherill are set to become unlikely work buddies as they start new jobs at one of Adelaide’s top universities.

• Christopher Pyne resigns from federal parliament
• Jay Weatherill decides to call it quits

Two of South Australia’s most senior political figures have got new jobs.

Christopher Pyne and Jay Weatherill will become unlikely work buddies as they start roles with the University of South Australia Business School.

Mr Pyne, the former Coalition Federal Defence Minister, and Mr Weatherill, South Australia’s Labor Premier from October 2011 until March 2018, will join the university as Industry Professors helping to deliver business and management education to MBA students.

The pair, who have a combined 43 years of parliamentary experience and are regarded as powerbrokers in their respective parties, will also provide strategic government relations advice to the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor David Lloyd.

Jay Weatherill and Christopher Pyne are set to become Industry Professors at UniSA.

University Pro Vice Chancellor Business and Law, Marie Wilson, said the knowledge and networks the pair will bring to the table were invaluable.

“We are excited to welcome Jay and Christopher, both highly qualified lawyers but also people who have carved impressive careers in politics, honing their leadership skills in what is always a demanding arena,” Professor Wilson said.

“They will bring not only intellectual acumen to their professorships but also a career’s worth of high-level experience in negotiation, international trade, legislation and community consultation and debate, industry liaison, and the host of adaptive skills that are the hallmark of successful leaders.

“Each has also worked to continue to develop the economic sustainability of the State of South Australia and supported its future industries and innovation.”

In March Mr Pyne, the then-Defence Minister, announced he would quit federal parliament, closing the door on a 25-year career.

Until his retirement this year, he had been re-elected eight times to the House of Representatives for the eastern suburbs seat of Sturt.

Mr Pyne, who is an alumnus of the university, said he was excited to be supporting the ethos of a great South Australian institution.

“UniSA is providing skills and chances in life for those who wish to gain an education and improve their knowledge, undertaking world-changing research that alters lives, and investing in the economic growth of the state that gives us all the standard of living and quality of life we expect — I am looking forward to contributing to that effort,” Mr Pyne said.

Mr Weatherill graduated with degrees in both law and economics from the university before establishing his own law firm in 1995.

“I’m pleased to be supporting such a dynamic and ambitious university and very much looking forward to helping students gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful,” Mr Weatherill said.