SA Premier Peter Malinauskas’ new cabinet members named

Independent Geoff Brock has become a surprise inclusion in South Australia’s new ministry. Watch the swearing in ceremony here.

Riley Walter

2 min read

March 24, 2022 - 10:49AM

The Advertiser/7NEWS Adelaide update: Peter Malinauskas sworn in as SA premier alongside deputy and treasurer

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The new Labor government is taking shape after Premier Peter Malinauskas’ ministry members were decided on Wednesday night following a brief caucus meeting.

In a surprise move, independent MP Geoff Brock has been included in the ministry after defeating former deputy premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan in the regional seat of Stuart.

He formerly served under the Weatherill Government after his support allowed Labor to return to power as a minority government in 2014.

The Malinauskas Government holds power without Mr Brock’s support, but his inclusion shores up parliamentary support and adds regional clout

In another surprise, former federal backbencher Nick Champion has been included in the list of ministry members provided to The Advertiser.

Former Labor police and road safety spokesman Lee Odenwalder has not been tapped to join the new Labor ministry, causing speculation about whether Mr Champion will replace him.

The government would not speculate on portfolio allocations ahead of the official announcement on Thursday.

WATCH A REPLAY THE CEREMONY

New Labor government swearing in ceremony
Malinauskas ministry swearing in: The new Labor government's ministry is being sworn in by Governor Frances Adamson at Government House. Premier Peter Malinauskas, his deputy Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan were sworn in on Monday. The latest in 7NEWS Adelaide at 11.30am, 4pm and 6pm | www.7NEWS.com.au #saparli #7NEWS
Posted by 7NEWS Adelaide on Wednesday, March 23, 2022

Joe Szakacs was another new addition to the ministry after claiming Cheltenham from Liberal candidate Shane Rix.

Mr Champion has taken the seat of Taylor.

Mr Champion came under fire from constituents in the seat of Taylor after it was revealed by The Advertiser that he lived 30kms from his electorate in the affluent suburb of North Adelaide.

MP Kyam Maher. Picture: Kelly Barnes

MP Chris Picton. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

MP Nat Cook. Picture: Emma Brasier

Newcomers to cabinet include human services spokeswoman Nat Cook and primary industries, rural development and forestry spokeswoman Clare Scriven.

Before Wednesday night’s meeting, Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mulligan’s places in cabinet were certainties after being sworn in alongside Mr Malinauskas by Governor Frances Adamson on Monday.

MP Tom Koutsantonis. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Former Opposition health spokesman Chris Picton was also appointed to the ministry ahead of Wednesday’s caucus meeting, taking over the role as Minister of Health.

Mr Picton was a key player in Labor’s campaign against ambulance ramping ahead of last weekend’s landslide election victory.

The Advertiser foreshadowed that the new ministry would largely be made up of the existing Opposition frontbench and would include a mix of new and old party faces with only minor changes expected.

Emily Bourke, who has held a position on the Opposition frontbench as deputy spokesperson for local government, and Rhiannon Pearce, who was not on Labor’s frontbench, were both listed as assistant ministers but their allocated portfolios were not confirmed.

Premier Peter Malinauskas will announce other appointments to his new ministry on Thursday.

MPs Katrine Hildyard, Susan Close, Tom Koutsantonis, Chris Picton, Zoe Bettison, Kyam Maher, Stephen Mullighan and Peter Malinauskas all served in the previous Labor Government’s Cabinet under Premier Jay Weatherill.