State government shock as top Department of Premier and Cabinet boss Alison Lloydd-Wright abruptly quits amid museum review

One of the state’s leading bureaucrats has abruptly quit, just months after a promotion with more responsibilities.

Alison Lloydd-Wright at the RDSA 2023 Annual Summit. Picture: RDSA

One of the state’s leading bureaucrats has abruptly quit, just months after a promotion with more responsibilities including for “cultural institutions” including the museum.

In a surprise move, Alison Lloydd-Wright, 43, has resigned as the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s deputy chief executive after an almost 20-year state government career.

Ms Lloydd-Wright, a highly regarded public servant who has held several influential positions, has told colleagues she will be exploring new private sector jobs “she is passionate in” after taking a “well-earned break”.

Her career also included stints at the Attorney-General’s and Education departments as well as Cabinet Office.

Alison Lloydd-Wright, has resigned as the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s deputy chief executive. Picture LinkedIn

She was a highly regarded public servant. Picture: Patrick Gorbunovs

She was secretariat for the Covid-19 Transition Committee, which advised state Covid co-ordinator, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens on pandemic laws and rules.

Government documents, released under Freedom of Information laws, reveal she was promoted last year to DPC’s second-in-charge with a focus on “community, culture and place”.

Alison Lloydd-Wright was almost in state government for 20 years.

An internal SA Museum board paper, dated July 26, 2023, said her responsibilities as a leader in Premier Peter Malinauskas’ agency would include the state’s “cultural institutions”.

This included the museum with its under-fire director David Gaimster “reporting to” her, the board minutes show.

She was secretariat for the Covid-19 Transition Committee, which advised state Covid co-ordinator, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens on pandemic laws and rules. Picture Emma Brasier.

Officials on Wednesday night denied her resignation, which caught many in the public service by surprise, was linked to a review of a controversial museum restructure.

In a note to staff on Friday announcing her departure, DPC chief executive Damien Walker paid tribute to her “significant contributions”.

He said she was leaving “to take a well-earned break and to pursue interests and passions outside of government” but made no mention of her museum work.

Mr Walker is chairman of a review panel into the contentious museum overhaul that had sparked a fierce community backlash.

“Alison’s strategic leadership and experience has guided the department through complex whole of government policies in regional development, social justice and a range of challenges including through the Covid pandemic,” he wrote.

Alison Lloydd-Wright at the RDSA 2023 Annual Summit. Picture: RDSA

In a social media post last year, she wrote how her role “will connect the important work we started in population strategy with SA’s innovation, multicultural and creative communities”.

This, she said would “leverag(e) South Australia’s strong history in each of these domains to cement South Australia as a New State of Mind”.

“Collaborating across all of these divisions will truly amplify South Australia’s reputation as a welcoming community that attracts the best from around the country and the world, and energises careers and lifestyle through leadership in entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity and culture,” she said.

A DPC spokesman denied her decision was linked to the museum controversy.

“Alison’s decision to leave DPC does not have any connection to the South Australian Museum review,” he said.

“She will be taking a well-earned break and then exploring opportunities in areas she is passionate about outside of government.”

Ms Lloydd-Wright, who lives in Adelaide’s inner south, would not comment on Wednesday night.