Power 20 list: South Australia’s top influential political backroom dealers ranked

They are the behind the scenes powerbrokers whispering advice in the ears that matter and shaping South Australia’s future direction. See the 2024 power rankings.

Three of the top 20 most powerful political backroom dealers in South Australia. Pictures: File

• Who is SA’s most influential politician?

They serve at the pleasure to their political masters and have extraordinary influence over the state’s – and in many cases the country’s – direction.

But for these current and former political operatives, they are the behind the scenes powerbrokers, who control the backroom operations or have the influence to whisper advice in the ears that matter.

The wider general public wouldn’t have heard of many of them and that is how these apparatchiks like it, preferring to work in the shadows and give their bosses the limelight.

This year’s power list is, understandably, heavy with Labor advisers and union chiefs given the party’s current dominance in state and federal politics.

EXPLORE THE BACKROOM POLITICAL POWER 20 INTERACTIVE AND RATE THE LIST BELOW

Julia Gillard gives a public lecture at the University of Adelaide. Picture: Jo-Anna Robinson

Alexander Hyde. Picture Matt Turner.

Heading the list is the politically pugnacious right hand man to Premier Peter Malinauskas ahead of a new generation of advisers hungry to climb the politics ladder.

A former premier, prime minister and Liberal grandee still hold huge sway over their respective sides and generate waves.

This list is the third instalment in the countdown to The Advertiser’s annual power rankings with SA’s 100 most influential people of 2024 to be revealed in December.

In the lead up, The Advertiser will rank the state’s most powerful people across different industries including sport, public service, entertainment and business.

See the top 20 backroom political rankings and have your say below.