Premier Steven Marshall deals with new players for first cabinet reshuffle
An overhaul due on Tuesday will be the biggest change to Steven Marshall’s lineup since 2013. Here are the expected introductions to the cabinet.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier Steven Marshall is undertaking one of the most important juggling acts in his parliamentary career as he determines how to replace three of the 14 ministers from his cabinet.
Mr Marshall will announce a new-look cabinet on Tuesday to take him to the next election.
The overhaul is the biggest rejig to the team around him since he became party leader in February 2013.
New introductions to the cabinet are expected to include Speaker Vincent Tarzia, whose role is widely tipped to be filled by Adelaide Hills-based Kavel MP Dan Cregan.
Heysen MP Josh Teague and Finniss MP David Basham are understood to be in the mix to take on the Primary Industries portfolio left vacant by the departure of Mr Whetstone.
The portfolio, that typically relies on an MP being from the regions, is regarded as a difficult role to fill, sources have told The Advertiser.
Country MPs Adrian Pederick and Peter Treloar both said last week they had made mistakes on their allowances claim forms.
Former AFL player, Morphett MP Stephen Patterson, and domestic and family violence assistant Minister Carolyn Power are also in the mix.
Mr Marshall is expected to do a major reshuffle that will require existing ministers to take on new roles, with the expectation that newcomer cabinet minsters will be unable to step into some of the key roles left up for grabs.
The portfolios left vacant by Mr Knoll’s resignation – Transport, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning – are seen as the most difficult to fill.
Environment and Water Minister David Speirs has previously acted as Transport Minister and could be seen as frontrunner to take over the portfolio that includes the controversial privatisation of bus and tram services.
Treasurer Rob Lucas, Attorney-General Vickie Chapman, Education Minister John Gardner, Health Minister Steven Wade and Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink are not expected to see any change in their roles.
But Police Minister Corey Wingard, Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni, and Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan – in addition to Mr Speirs – could be called on for extra or different responsibilities.
The battle to secure the role of the President in the Legislative Council, which will be left vacant by the resignation of Terry Stephens, is expected to be a two horse race between Government Whip in the Legislative Council Dennis Hood and Assistant Minister to the Premier Jing Lee.
POLL (FIRST POSTED BEFORE THE RESIGNATIONS)
Newbies will have to come up to speed on major projects
Some of the state’s most important portfolios will need to be tackled by new ministers.
Premier Steven Marshall is expected to split some of the key portfolios, with some more experienced hands being asked to take responsibility for them.
Outgoing ministers have left some serious unfinished business with some key reforms and projects.
Transport
Bus plans are on the scrap heap, already, alongside any major tram extensions.
But the privatisation of tram and train services is set to become a key election issue, and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas has vowed to reverse the plan if they win government.
Infrastructure
The State Government has promised the biggest investment in infrastructure in the state’s history.
But question marks remain over what the government will do with the North-South Corridor and whether or not it will include tunnels.
There will be pressure on the next minister to deliver a raft of new projects that could be handed to Infrastructure Australia for consideration.
Local Government
Reforming some sectors of local government, including a raft of new code of conduct measures, should be easy enough.
But a fresh push at rate capping – heavily opposed by councils – will be much more difficult.
Planning
One of the least sexiest portfolios in government still comes with its challenges.
Controversial planning reforms have been lambasted by everyone from neighbourhood groups to architects and councils.
Trade & Investment
The coronavirus pandemic has created huge challenges for South Australia.
Key freight routes are currently being propped up by Federal Government investment. But questions will soon turn to how SA can operate in world markets after COVID-19 when airlines to deliver freight are leaving Adelaide much less.
Primary Industries
Fishers are split on whether to support an SA licence and fee of about $30 annually.
The State Government has passed the legislation to lift the Genetically Modified (GM) moratorium and allow GM crops to be grown on mainland SA.
But councils will still get to say if they will allow them in their area, creating the possibility neighbouring municipalities could have different rules. The dearth of workers in the regions, to reap the full potential of the agriculture and horticulture sectors, is still an issue that needs to be addressed.
Analysis: Marshall moves to stamp out distraction
Fixing one problem has created another, as Premier Steven Marshall starts shaping a new cabinet to get him past the perks scandal and though COVID to the 2022 election.
When two ministers paid back money after a document dump shone light on 10 years of travel allowances, and The Advertiserrevealed another had signed blank time sheets for a ministerial chauffeur and let him drive around other MPs before jetting off overseas, Mr Marshall was left with no good choices. On Sunday, he sought to pick the least worst option available to him.
Three ministers and a senior parliamentary office holder are gone in the first reshuffle since the state election. It is the biggest internal upheaval in the Liberal Party since Mr Marshall took over leadership.
He was surprisingly candid about the reason.
Mr Marshall said they had become a distraction from the government’s agenda, taking away focus from the incredible success it has had in the COVID health fight and work starting on the job front.
Certainly, this will take some heat out of the expenses and perks controversy. The key players in it have paid a price. Had they not, the government would have continued taking on water for weeks.
But reshuffles are an extraordinarily difficult juggling act.
While the people who come in will be grateful, those kept out can become resentful.
The broader right wing of Liberals, which has recently been growing its influence in the wider party machinery, feels it is due some recognition.
And the increasing complex internal politics of that faction, which itself has recently fragmented into several pieces, just add further challenges.
And Mr Marshall certainly can’t allow that to become another new distraction.