Former premier Steven Marshall’s jobs mission to the United States

The former Premier is understood to be working closely with the new government.

Former premier Steven Marshall is continuing an unofficial role pitching for tech jobs and investment during his latest mission to North America.

In a privately funded trip, Mr Marshall is spruiking South Australia to firms in Los Angeles, New York, Boston and Montreal.

Mr Marshall on Tuesday went to the world-renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which in 2019 announced it would set up an Adelaide arm, and met with MIT data science student and SA Fulbright scholar Tobin South.

Former premier Steven Marshall and Fulbright scholar Tobin South at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. Picture: Twitter/ Steven Marshall

Speaking to The Advertiser from Boston, Mr Marshall did not detail which companies he had met with but said he was “just looking at how we continue to look for opportunities to keep South Australia’s incredible economic momentum going”.

“South Australia was one of the few beneficiaries of economic growth during Covid-19. People could work from home, they could work from anywhere and, in many cases, they worked in South Australia,” he said.

It is understood Mr Marshall has been working closely with the Labor state government on job attraction, leveraging his significant global contacts.

Asked to comment, Premier Peter Malinauskas said: “I appreciate the former Premier’s efforts in attempting to lure investment into South Australia.

“This is a good use of his profile and contacts as a former Premier. I will continue to support his endeavours in the interests of our state.”

Mr Marshall left Adelaide on September 8 and said he would return ahead of parliament’s September 20 resumption for condolence speeches honouring Queen Elizabeth II.

Former premier Steven Marshall with Julie Bishop at the Legion of Honour museum in San Francisco. Picture: Instagram

His Liberal government was ousted after one term in office at the March 19 state election, at which Labor won 27 seats to the Liberals’ 16.

Mr Marshall subsequently quit the party’s leadership but has continued as the MP for Dunstan, an inner-eastern seat including Norwood.

In the first insight into his post-leadership life, Mr Marshall in June told The Advertiser he was continuing his government’s signature mission of attracting hi-tech firms and jobs to SA

Mr Marshall attended the RSA Conference in San Francisco from June 6-9, where met with leading cyber firms including CrowdStrike and Splunk, then took time out to catch up with former federal Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop.