Premier Jay Weatherill announces major reshuffle of State Government chief executives, including change in education

PREMIER Jay Weatherill has announced a major reshuffle of State Government chief executives, including moving the Attorney-General’s department boss into education.

Premier Jay Weatherill has announced changes to State Government chief executives. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

• SEPARATED: Families SA to be split off from Education Department
• NEW JOB: Tony Harrison appointed education chief

PREMIER Jay Weatherill has announced a major reshuffle of State Government chief executives, including moving the Attorney-General’s department boss into education.

Attorney-General’s Department chief executive Rick Persse has been appointed head of the troubled Department for Education and Child Development, which has overseen Families SA.

Current education boss Tony Harrison, a former senior policeman, takes charge of the Communities and Social Inclusion department and replaces Jos Mazel.

It comes as Mr Weatherill announced that Families SA would be split from the Education Department and run by a new chief executive with “established credibility” in the field, one of Royal Commissioner Margaret Nyland’s interim recommendations for a new child protection department and chief executive with “established credibility” in the sector.

Education boss Tony Harrison will take charge of the Communities and Social Inclusion department.

Ms Mazel moves to head up the Government’s new French engagement strategy.

The current Attorney-General’s department deputy Caroline Mealor steps up to acting chief.

The changes are effective immediately.

Mr Weatherill said the changes “reflect the leadership qualities needed going forward across Government” and thanked all staff for their “excellent work” in previous roles.

It follows SA Health chief executive David Swan this month announcing he would also quit.

“Mr Persse is a well respected leader and takes on the most important challenge of ensuring our schools are delivering the best education outcomes,” Mr Weatherill said.

“Mr Harrison has worked tirelessly delivering important reforms to the Department of Education and Child Development, in particular our responses to the Debelle and Valentine recommendations.

“I also wish to thank Jos Mazel for her long service to the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

“She will be taking up an important position within my Department as we seek to forge closer ties with the Government and people of France.”