Almost 100 Liberal government ministerial staff lose their jobs in South Australian election result

Former Liberal premier Steven Marshall’s crushing loss to Labor’s Peter Malinauskas has cost almost 100 ministerial staff their jobs.

Almost 100 Liberal ministerial staff, paid a total of $12m a year, have lost their jobs in the wake of former premier Steven Marshall’s loss to Labor’s Peter Malinauskas.

They include 15 chiefs of staff paid between $215,643 to $168,133 a year, 56 policy advisers earning between $138,710 to $114,541 and 11 media advisers paid between $138,710 and $121,896.

Other ministerial staff made redundant included social media managers and media monitors.

All were told to have their desks cleaned out and personal items removed by last Friday, before the election.

By Sunday, they had to have returned all government-issued equipment such as laptops, mobile phones, chargers, swipe cards and car park passes.

Former Liberal premier Steven Marshall arrives at Government house to formally resign. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Under the conditions of their employment, each will receive 16 weeks’ pay and outstanding entitlements, such as annual leave.

Mr Marshall’s office had the most personnel, employing 10 senior advisers and his government’s media team, which included 11 press secretaries, nine media monitors and three digital content managers.

Among those on his 38-strong staff were chief of staff Courtney Morcombe ($215,643), principal adviser Richard Yeeles ($189,149), policy and cabinet director Paul Armanas ($176,001) and media and communications director Ken McGregor ($168,133).

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas is sworn in as South Australia’s new Premier by Governor Frances Adamson at Government house. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Mr Marshall announced his resignation as Liberal leader on Sunday in the wake of his landslide loss to Mr Malinauskas, who had 13 staff as Opposition leader.

Mr Malinauskas’s staff included chief of staff John Bistrovic ($162,879), strategy director Rik Morris ($157,624) and media and communications director Adam Todd ($131,354).

Two of his policy advisers, Lucy Hood and Rhiannon Pearce, successfully contested the state election.

Ms Hood took Adelaide off Liberal minister Rachel Sanderson while Ms Pearce beat first-term Liberal MP Paula Luethen in the marginal seat of King.

Labor already has started its recruitment drive in preparation for a caucus meeting which will help select its cabinet.

Public servants who were employed in ministerial offices as clerical staff or in other roles will be redeployed, either within the new ministry or to government departments.