Malinauskas ministry

Malinauskas ministry

74th ministry of South Australia
Incumbent
Date formed21 March 2022 (2022-03-21)
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II (until 8 September 2022)
Charles III (since 8 September 2022)
GovernorFrances Adamson
PremierPeter Malinauskas
Deputy premierKyam Maher
No. of ministers15
Member party  Labor
Status in legislatureMajority government
Opposition party  Liberal
Opposition leaderDavid Speirs (until 8 August 2024)
Vincent Tarzia (from 12 August 2024 to 5 December 2025)
Ashton Hurn (since 8 December 2025)
History
Election2022 state election
PredecessorMarshall ministry

The Malinauskas ministry is the 74th and current ministry (cabinet) of the Government of South Australia, led by Peter Malinauskas of the South Australian Labor Party. It was formed after Labor's victory at the 2022 state election and succeeded the Marshall ministry.

The ministry was initially made up of 14 members of the Labor Party and 1 independent member, Geoff Brock, who was previously also a minister at the Weatherill Labor ministry. Following Brock's resignation from cabinet in 2024, Independent MP Dan Cregan resigned as Speaker and joined the ministry. Cregan resigned from cabinet in order to retire from politics in 2025. The current ministry is made up of 15 Labor members, with a majority (8) being female.[1]

The ministry, according to Malinauskas himself, is centrist.[2]

Current formation

On 18 September 2025, Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan both resigned from the ministry in anticipation of their respective retirements from parliament at the upcoming election.[3][4] Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Kyam Maher was appointed Deputy Premier, and Tom Koutsantonis took on the role of Treasurer, a position he previously held in the Weatherill ministry between 2014 and 2018.

The following changes were also made to the ministry:

  • Lucy Hood was added to the ministry, appointed as Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
  • Rhiannon Pearce was promoted to the ministry as Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, and Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing. She had served as an Assistant Minister since 2022.
  • Emily Bourke took the role of Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and remained Minister for Autism.
  • Nadia Clancy was appointed as Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.
  • Peter Malinauskas added Minister for Defence and Space Industries to his position of Premier.
  • Michael Brown expanded his role as Assistant Minister to include Space Industries.[5][6]
Party Portfolio Minister
Labor
  • Premier
  • Minister for Defence and Space Industries
Peter Malinauskas MP
Labor Kyam Maher MLC
Labor Tom Koutsantonis MP
Labor
  • Minister for Tourism
  • Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Zoe Bettison MP
Labor
  • Minister for Health and Wellbeing
Chris Picton MP
Labor
  • Minister for Child Protection
  • Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence
  • Minister for Women
Katrine Hildyard MP
Labor
  • Minister for Human Services
  • Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well
Nat Cook MP
Labor
  • Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Minister for Forest Industries
Clare Scriven MLC
Labor
  • Minister for Education, Training and Skills
  • Minister for Police
Blair Boyer MP
Labor
  • Minister for Small and Family Business
  • Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs
  • Minister for Arts
Andrea Michaels MP
Labor
  • Minister for Trade and Investment
  • Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
  • Minister for Local Government
  • Minister for Veteran's Affairs
Joe Szakacs MP
Labor
  • Minister for Housing and Urban Development
  • Minister for Housing Infrastructure
  • Minister for Planning
Nick Champion MP
Labor
  • Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
  • Minister for Autism
Emily Bourke MLC
Labor
  • Minister for Emergency Service and Correctional Services
  • Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
Rhiannon Pearce MP
Labor
  • Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
Lucy Hood MP

Assistant Ministers

  • Michael Brown MP | Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, Defence and Space Industries
  • Nadia Clancy MP | Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

Third formation

On 29 January 2025, Premier Malinauskas made several changes to the ministry following the resignation of Dan Cregan, who had served as Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services and Special Minister of State for approximately nine months.[7] Cregan's portfolios were divided among ministers Stephen Mullighan (Police), Kyam Maher (Special Minister of State) and Emily Bourke (Emergency Services and Correctional Services). Bourke had been elevated to the full ministry after serving as an assistant minister since 2022.[8]

The following changes were also made to the ministry:

  • Emily Bourke was appointed Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing and Minister for Autism in addition to Emergency Services and Correctional Services.
  • Katrine Hildyard lost responsibility for Recreation, Sport and Racing but remained Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence.
  • Michael Brown was appointed Assistant Minister to the Premier for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy.[9]
Party Portfolio Minister
Labor Peter Malinauskas MP
Labor
  • Deputy Premier
  • Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
  • Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy
  • Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
Susan Close MP
Labor Kyam Maher MLC
Labor Tom Koutsantonis MP
Labor Stephen Mullighan MP
Labor
  • Minister for Tourism
  • Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Zoe Bettison MP
Labor
  • Minister for Health and Wellbeing
Chris Picton MP
Labor
  • Minister for Child Protection
  • Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Katrine Hildyard MP
Labor
  • Minister for Human Services
  • Minister for Ageing Well
Nat Cook MP
Labor
  • Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Minister for Forest Industries
Clare Scriven MLC
Labor
  • Minister for Education, Training and Skills
Blair Boyer MP
Labor
  • Minister for Small and Family Business
  • Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs
  • Minister for Arts
Andrea Michaels MP
Labor
  • Minister for Trade and Investment
  • Minister for Local Government
  • Minister for Veteran's Affairs
Joe Szakacs MP
Labor
  • Minister for Housing and Urban Development
  • Minister for Housing Infrastructure
  • Minister for Planning
Nick Champion MP
Labor
  • Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services
  • Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
  • Minister for Autism
Emily Bourke MLC

Assistant Ministers

  • Rhiannon Pearce MP | Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier
  • Michael Brown | Assistant Minister to the Premier for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy

Second formation

In April 2024, Independent member for Stuart and Minister for Local Government, Regional Roads and Veterans Affairs, Geoff Brock, resigned from cabinet.[10] Independent former Liberal member for Kavel, Dan Cregan, resigned his position of Speaker of the South Australian House of Assembly and joined the ministry.[11] Cregan assumed the role of Minister for Police, Emergency Services, and Correctional Services, as well as Special Minister of State.[12]

The following changes were also made to the ministry:

  • Stephen Mullighan remained as Treasurer and was granted the role of Minister for Defence and Space Industries.
  • Nat Cook retained her role as Minister for Human Services and additionally became Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well.
  • Joe Szakacs assumed responsibility for Trade and Investment, Local Government, and Veterans Affairs.
  • Tom Koutsantonis expanded his portfolio to include Regional Roads alongside Infrastructure and Transport.
  • Rhiannon Pearce became Assistant Minister for Junior Sport Participation.[13][14]
Party Portfolio Minister
Labor Peter Malinauskas MP
Labor
  • Deputy Premier
  • Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
  • Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy
  • Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
Susan Close MP
Labor Kyam Maher MLC
Labor Tom Koutsantonis MP
Labor Stephen Mullighan MP
Labor
  • Minister for Tourism
  • Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Zoe Bettison MP
Labor
  • Minister for Health and Wellbeing
Chris Picton MP
Labor
  • Minister for Child Protection
  • Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
  • Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
Katrine Hildyard MP
Labor
  • Minister for Human Services
  • Minister for Ageing Well
Nat Cook MP
Labor
  • Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Minister for Forest Industries
Clare Scriven MLC
Labor
  • Minister for Education, Training and Skills
Blair Boyer MP
Labor
  • Minister for Small and Family Business
  • Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs
  • Minister for Arts
Andrea Michaels MP
Labor
  • Minister for Trade and Investment
  • Minister for Local Government
  • Minister for Veteran's Affairs
Joe Szakacs MP
Labor
  • Minister for Housing and Urban Development
  • Minister for Housing Infrastructure
  • Minister for Planning
Nick Champion MP
Independent
  • Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services
  • Special Minister of State
Dan Cregan MP

Assistant Ministers

First formation

The ministry commenced on 21 March 2022, with Malinauskas, deputy party leader Susan Close and Stephen Mullighan sworn in as a three-member ministry.[15][16][17] Malinauskas was sworn in to cover other ministerial portfolios on an acting basis until the rest of the ministry was announced and sworn in on 24 March 2022.[18][19]

The ministry evolved largely from Malinauskas' shadow ministry before the election. Nick Champion, Joe Szakacs and independent Geoff Brock were new additions to the frontbench, while Emily Bourke was appointed as an Assistant Minister instead and Lee Odenwalder was dropped from the frontbench completely.[19]

The portfolios that Malinauskas held on an acting basis between 21 and 24 March 2022 are not listed below.

Party Minister Portfolio Image
Labor Peter Malinauskas MP
Labor Susan Close MP
  • Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
  • Minister for Defence and Space Industries
Labor Kyam Maher MLC
Labor Tom Koutsantonis MP
Labor Stephen Mullighan MP
Labor Zoe Bettison MP
  • Minister for Tourism
  • Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Labor Chris Picton MP
  • Minister for Health and Wellbeing
Labor Katrine Hildyard MP
  • Minister for Child Protection
  • Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
  • Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
Labor Nat Cook MP
  • Minister for Human Services
Labor Clare Scriven MLC
  • Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
  • Minister for Forest Industries
Labor Blair Boyer MP
  • Minister for Education, Training and Skills
Independent Geoff Brock MP
  • Minister for Local Government
  • Minister for Regional Roads
  • Minister for Veterans Affairs
Labor Andrea Michaels MP
  • Minister for Small and Family Business
  • Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs
  • Minister for Arts
Labor Joe Szakacs MP
  • Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services
Labor Nick Champion MP
  • Minister for Trade and Investment
  • Minister for Housing and Urban Development
  • Minister for Planning

Assistant Ministers

See also

References

  1. ^ Murtagh, John (22 September 2025). "South Australian ministry has more women than men for first time in state's history". No. PSnews.com.au. Region Group. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  2. ^ LIVE: South Australia election leaders debate | ABC NEWS (YYYY-MM-DD). ABC News. 13 March 2026. Retrieved 15 March 2026. I lead a centrist, disciplined, united, committed team that is only focused on making the most of all the potential that this state has always had, and we are bringing it to life.
  3. ^ "Two of SA's most senior cabinet ministers call it quits". InDailySA. Solstice Media. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  4. ^ Evans, Simon (18 September 2025). "Blow to Malinauskas as treasurer, deputy quit". Nine Entertainment Co. Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  5. ^ Kelsall, Thomas (20 September 2025). "Labor reshuffles its furniture as the Liberals try to save what's left". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Veteran Labor Minister named Treasurer after shock Cabinet resignations". InDailySA. Solstice Media. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  7. ^ "SA minister Dan Cregan leaves cabinet ahead of retirement from politics". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. 28 January 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  8. ^ Kelsall, Thomas (29 January 2025). "Artificial intelligence, autism and child protection in focus as Peter Malinauskas reshuffles cabinet". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. ABC News. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Cabinet shuffle elevates Autism portfolio". InDailySA. Solstice Media. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  10. ^ The Advertiser (11 April 2024). "Geoff Brock resigns from cabinet, triggering reshuffle". News Corporation. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  11. ^ McLaren, Rory (11 April 2024). "Independent MP Dan Cregan to join SA Labor cabinet as minister's resignation triggers reshuffle". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  12. ^ Biggs, Harvey (15 April 2024). "Reshuffle sees former Liberal Dan Cregan join SA Labor cabinet as government creates 'super portfolio'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  13. ^ McClaren, Rory. "SA's cabinet reshuffle sees political players climb, slide backwards or fall off the board entirely". No. 20 April 2024. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  14. ^ "Housing key focus as Cabinet keeps delivering for South Australians". Department of Premier and Cabinet. South Australian Government. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
  15. ^ Rebecca Opie (21 March 2022). "Peter Malinauskas sworn in as South Australia's new Premier alongside deputy and treasurer". ABC News.
  16. ^ "IN FULL: Peter Malinauskas has been sworn in as South Australian Premier". ABC News. YouTube. 21 March 2022.
  17. ^ "Governor's Instruments (18)" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia. 21 March 2022. p. 890. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Governor's Instruments (19)" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia. 24 March 2022. p. 894-895. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  19. ^ a b Nick Harmsen and Isabel Dayman (24 March 2022). "New South Australian cabinet sworn in, with independent Geoff Brock making surprise comeback". ABC News.