New entrants comprise almost half of The Advertiser’s Power 50 list and only three of last year’s top 10 remain that high, including Premier Peter Malinauskas, who rose five spots to No.2.

The Power 50 is topped by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, who on Wednesday is making the first official visit to China by an Australian government minister since 2019.

Senator Wong is spearheading Australia’s diplomatic efforts as global tensions escalate with China’s rising ambitions, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

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This year, The Advertiser’s Power 50 list has been published online as a digital interactive allowing readers to say whether a person’s ranking has been underrated, overrated or if they agree.

A key federal powerbroker, Senator Wong’s influence at the highest level was demonstrated when she introduced Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his victory speech after Labor’s May 21 election win.

SA’s longest-serving federal MP pipped her state ALP colleague Mr Malinauskas, who fronted Labor’s landslide state election victory in March, returning the party to office after just one term in opposition.

The Premier’s mentor and Labor Right faction leader Don “The Godfather” Farrell stages a remarkable comeback from the political wilderness to debut in the Power 50, rising with a bullet to reach No.4.

The federal Trade and Tourism Minister lost his senate spot in 2013, was humiliated into exiting a 2014 state preselection race by Jay Weatherill, but has returned to deploy significant influence within both state and federal governments.

The energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has propelled the head of Santos, Kevin Gallagher, to No.3 on the list – up eight spots.

The chief of the state’s biggest company, Mr Gallagher, has set agenda by leading debate on topics such as SA’s economic growth, climate change and, most recently, gas price caps that directly affected the energy company he leads.

Influential defence industry chief Craig Lockhart is leading construction of nine frigates at Osborne Naval Shipyard.

BAE Systems Australia managing director – maritime, Mr Lockhart is at the epicentre of a looming industry boom.

Another debut into the top 5 is Victorian CFMEU state secretary John Setka, who has been a lightning rod for controversy since taking over the union’s SA branch.

Mr Malinauskas was forced to order the return of a $125,000 CFMEU donation to the state ALP and the construction industry is alarmed at the prospect of Mr Setka exporting militant union thuggery and excessive wage claims.

Health unions debut at No.8, particularly for their sustained public campaign, fronted by Ash the Ambo, that gradually destroyed Steven Marshall’s Liberal government.

The ambulance union hammered home attacks over ramping, which has worsened since the election.

In a sign of SA finally emerging from the grips of Covid, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens drops to No. 25 this year after topping last year’s list while he served as state co-ordinator.