Premier Peter Malinauskas to unveil “very modest” ministerial reshuffle after Dan Cregan quits

Premier Peter Malinauskas will unveil a new-look ministry, adding a rising factional star to the frontbench ranks.

Premier Peter Malinauskas will unveil a “very modest” reshuffle on Wednesday morning, elevating Right faction rising star Emily Bourke into cabinet and making “some minor modifications” to portfolios.

As forecast by The Advertiser, Ms Bourke’s promotion was confirmed after a caucus meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Florey MP and former ALP state secretary Michael Brown was appointed as an assistant minister.

Mr Malinauskas will unveil rejigged portfolios on Wednesday morning, following ALP convention, ahead of a swearing-in ceremony at Government House.

The reshuffle was forced by independent Police Minister Dan Cregan quitting the ministry – revealed by The Advertiser on Monday – ahead of leaving politics at the next election, in March next year.

Emily Bourke’s promotion to the frontbench is expected to be confirmed after a caucus meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

Mr Malinauskas on Tuesday said he would characterise the ministerial reshuffle as “very modest”.

“By and large, I’ve been pretty happy with the way the cabinet has operated. Clearly, there are challenges that we need to confront. That’s always true in government,” he said.

“We’ll make a couple of minor modifications, but like I said, they’ll be modest and they’ll be more or less to accommodate the fact that there will be a new entrant coming into the cabinet.”

Asked if he was satisfied with the proportion of women at senior levels of his 14-person ministry, Mr Malinauskas described this as “very strong”, pointing out six ministers were women.

Premier Peter Malinauskas characterised the ministerial reshuffle as “very modest”. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Mr Malinauskas said he did not anticipate any further cabinet retirements before the next election and hoped to take his revamped team to that poll.

“We’ve had very limited changes in a historical context and I think there’s a value in that stability,” he said.

Mr Cregan, who will continue in his Adelaide Hills seat of Kavel until leaving politics at the election, said he would endorse an independent candidate – indicating backing from close ally and federal crossbench Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie.

“It is a very strong candidate that both Rebekha and I have in mind. In the coming days we’ll have a conversation about that,” he said.

Mr Cregan said stepping aside from the ministry would allow for extra time for him to work on Ms Sharkie’s campaign for the looming federal election.

Originally published as Premier Peter Malinauskas to unveil “very modest” ministerial reshuffle after Dan Cregan quits