South Australia in position of power as several MPs set to join Labor’s cabinet

Several SA MPs will be at the centre of Labor’s cabinet, putting the state in an extraordinary position of power.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s cabinet will be stacked with South Australian MPs who played key roles in crafting Labor’s strategy to seize power.

Among those is Amanda Rishworth, who has trumpeted an “exciting” opportunity to marry up Labor’s bold national childcare strategy with Premier Peter Malinauskas’s own radical vision for early education reform.

The Kingston MP is expected to be sworn in as the new Early Childhood Education and Youth Minister next Wednesday, keeping the portfolio she held in Opposition.

She would be responsible for implementing Labor’s $5.4bn childcare reforms, which involves lifting the government subsidy rate across the board – up to 90 per cent for some families – from July next year.

Ms Rishworth, who would not speculate on cabinet appointments, said it “matches so well” with Mr Malinauskas’s radical strategy of opening preschools to three-year-olds and establishing a royal commission to guide a major restructure of the sector.

Behind both state and national strategies is the aim of getting more women back to work, unlocking a wealth of economic potential.

Kingston MP Amanda Rishworth will likely become the Early Childhood Education and Youth Minister. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“Many businesses are telling us they want skilled workers – we’ve got a pool of people, women in particular, that we could help facilitate into jobs once we get the barrier of the cost of childcare out of the way,” Ms Rishworth said.

“There’s also the long-term benefit of early education and that marries very well in where (the Premier’s) vision is.”

SA Senator Penny Wong was swiftly sworn in as Foreign Affairs Minister on Monday, just hours before travelling to Tokyo with Mr Albanese for a crucial Quad leaders’ meeting with the US, Japan and India.

Labor will hold a caucus meeting next Tuesday to appoint cabinet positions.

Mr Albanese said the full ministry would be sworn in the next day.

Hindmarsh MP Mark Butler is likely to become the next Health Minister, while Senator Don Farrell is preparing to become Special Minister of State – a key role in which he will oversee crucial parliamentary workplace reforms.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stands with newly appointed Foreign Minister Penny Wong on their way to the Quad leaders’ meeting in Tokyo. Picture: David Gray/Getty Images

Hindmarsh MP Mark Butler is favourite to become Health Minister … Picture: Liam Kidston

… While Don Farrell is expected to become Special Minister of State and Minister for Sport and Tourism. Picture: Emma Brasier

Senator Farrell is also expected to become the Sport and Tourism Minister

All four South Australians were “deeply involved” in the federal election campaign, Ms Rishworth said.

“We were contributing to significant policy areas … crafting Labor’s response and putting that forward to the Australian people,” she said.

“In Opposition, our South Australian team has had a really big influence.”

Mr Butler said SA had always “punched above its weight” in the Labor caucus.

He pointed to easing pressure on “overwhelmed” emergency departments and fixing the aged care “crisis” as priorities for SA.

Senators Simon Birmingham and Anne Ruston led the charge for SA in the Coalition’s cabinet before being turfed from power.

Senator Ruston was promised the health ministership if the Coalition won the election.

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