The Honourable
Peter Malinauskas
MP
Malinauskas in 2018
47th Premier of South Australia
Assumed office
21 March 2022
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
GovernorFrances Adamson
DeputySusan Close
Preceded bySteven Marshall
Leader of the South Australian Labor Party
Assumed office
9 April 2018
DeputySusan Close
Preceded byJay Weatherill
Leader of the Opposition in South Australia
In office
9 April 2018 – 21 March 2022
PremierSteven Marshall
DeputySusan Close
Preceded bySteven Marshall
Succeeded byDavid Speirs
Minister for Health
In office
18 September 2017 – 18 March 2018
PremierJay Weatherill
Preceded byJack Snelling
Succeeded byStephen Wade
Minister for Police, Emergency and Correctional Services
In office
19 January 2016 – 18 September 2017
PremierJay Weatherill
Preceded byTony Piccolo
Succeeded byChris Picton
Member of the South Australian Parliament
for Croydon
Assumed office
17 March 2018
Preceded byMichael Atkinson
Member of the
South Australian Legislative Council
In office
1 December 2015 – 17 March 2018
Preceded byBernard Finnigan
Personal details
Born
Peter Bryden Malinauskas

(1980-08-14) 14 August 1980
Adelaide, South Australia
Political partyAustralian Labor Party (SA)
SpouseAnnabel West[1]
Children4
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide (BCom)
Websitepetermalinauskas.com.au

Peter Bryden Malinauskas[lower-alpha 1] (born 14 August 1980) is an Australian politician serving as the 47th and current premier of South Australia since March 2022. He has been the leader of the South Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and a member of the House of Assembly (MHA) for the division of Croydon since April 2018. He was previously the Leader of the Opposition from 2018 until he led his party into government in the 2022 state election.

Malinauskas has been a Labor member of the South Australian House of Assembly since 2018, representing the electorate of Croydon. He was previously a member of the South Australian Legislative Council between 2015 and 2018.

Early life

Malinauskas was born in South Australia to Kathryn (Kate) née May and Peter Malinauskas Jr. on 14 August 1980.[1][2][3] Malinauskas' paternal Hungarian grandmother Eta survived World War II and escaped the post-war communist Hungarian state when she emigrated to Bathurst in New South Wales.[1] She married Peter Malinauskas Sr., a Lithuanian refugee, and the couple moved to Adelaide, later opening a fish and chip shop.[1][4] Malinauskas' mother's forebears were middle-class Irish.[1]

In his school years, Malinauskas' family resided in Colonel Light Gardens.[1] Being from a Catholic family, Malinauskas was sent to Mercedes College where he displayed leadership potential in Australian rules football and cricket, as well as excelling in his studies.[1] He was a member of the student representative council and was school captain in year 12.[1] Mercedes College principal Peter Daw recalled Malinauskas as being "a future leader".[1] Additionally, Daw recalled Malinauskas as being "one of those kids involved in lots of things" and a "popular lad" with a "magnetic personality that appealed to teachers and students alike".[1]

Union figure

Malinauskas worked for Woolworths for seven years from 1995 at age 15, first as a trolley boy and later a checkout operator and night filler.[5] He formed an early and enduring political relationship with Don Farrell through Woolworths workers' unionism. During his time at Woolworths, Malinauskas obtained a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Adelaide. He became an influential union official who served from 2008 to 2015 as Secretary of the South Australian/Northern Territory branch of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA),[1] the major player in the dominant Labor Right faction of the South Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party.[6] In August 2011, some media outlets claimed Malinauskas was the sole "faceless man" who informed Mike Rann he had lost the support of his party and to step down as premier of South Australia in favour of Jay Weatherill.[7] Malinauskas was elected in July 2015 to Labor's National Executive at the party's National Conference.[8]

Political views

Malinauskas is a member of the Labor Right faction. His views have been described as centrist.[9][10]

Asked about progressive political issues in 2011 such as same sex marriage, stem-cell research, euthanasia and abortion, Malinauskas said his personal views would be "considered socially conservative" and went on to state "I didn't get involved in the Australian labour movement because of any of these issues. I believe in the fair go but I get frustrated with left-wing ideology that focuses more on imposing equality than providing for equality of opportunity. This is why I'm passionate about Australian education − universal access to quality schooling gives everyone the chance to succeed".[1]

Asked about nuclear power in South Australia, Malinauskas in 2014 said he was pro-nuclear despite Labor at the time remaining opposed to the establishment of a new nuclear waste repository or nuclear power plant in South Australia. Malinauskas stated "I believe climate change is a real challenge we need to face up to, and nuclear energy can be a safe source of baseload power, with zero carbon emissions" and "we should have a mature debate based on science and economics to determine if a nuclear industry is viable in South Australia". In March 2015 Labor initiated a Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission,[11] and in 2016 launched a "Get to know nuclear" campaign to further explore the commission's findings. In October 2016 at the South Australian Labor party conference, Malinauskas spoke of the protesters who had gathered outside in opposition to the establishment of new nuclear waste storage facilities. He told delegates: "The difference between us and them, of course, is that we take very seriously our obligation to make sure that our ideology is underpinned by evidence."[12]

Parliamentary career

Malinauskas in 2016

Following the parliamentary resignation of Bernard Finnigan on 12 November 2015, Malinauskas filled the Legislative Council casual vacancy in a joint sitting of the Parliament of South Australia on 1 December.[13]

Premier Jay Weatherill indicated that Malinauskas could enter the Cabinet of South Australia in an early 2016 ministerial reshuffle,[14][15][16] with reports of media speculation and internal party talk suggesting Malinauskas could potentially become the next Labor premier of South Australia, entering the House of Assembly through preselection as the next Labor candidate in Labor's safest lower house seat of Croydon with claims that incumbent Michael Atkinson "has long been willing to vacate his seat to Malinauskas if he ever wanted it".[17][18] Atkinson announced in February 2017 that he would be retiring from parliament as of the 2018 election.[19] Malinauskas confirmed he would be nominating for preselection.[20]

Malinauskas served in the Cabinet of South Australia in the Weatherill Ministry between January 2016 and March 2018, holding, at various times, ministerial portfolios with responsibility for police (2016−2017), correctional services (2016−2017), emergency services (2016−2017), road safety (2016−2017), health (2017−2018), and mental health and substance abuse (2017−2018).[21][22][23]

Malinauskas won the seat of Croydon at the 2018 election.[24]

Leader of the Opposition, 2018–2022

Following the resignation of Jay Weatherill after the 2018 election, a caucus meeting on 9 April 2018 elected Malinauskas as Labor Leader. He consequently became Leader of the Opposition, with former Education Minister Susan Close as his deputy.[25][26][27]

In April 2021, former Labor MP Annabel Digance and her husband were arrested and charged with attempting to blackmail Malinauskas. Police alleged that the couple had threatened to make accusations against Malinauskas if he did not orchestrate Digance's return to politics by preselection for a safe seat or appointment to the Legislative Council or the Senate.[28] The charges against the Digances were withdrawn in April 2023.[29]

In January 2022, Malinauskas was diagnosed with COVID-19 and announced that he would isolate at home. He said his wife and three children had returned negative results. Grant Stevens, the South Australia Police Commissioner and State Coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia was also diagnosed on the same day.[30] A few days later, Malinauskas reported that his wife and three children had also caught the virus.[31] He had recovered and was back in the community on 13 January 2022.[32]

Premier of South Australia 2022–present

In March 2022, Malinauskas led the party to victory at the state election.[33] Malinauskas labor party made healthcare a theme during the election.[34]

He was sworn in as premier of South Australia on 21 March 2022.[35]

In May 2022, the Malinauskas government ended South Australia's state of emergency for COVID-19, after 793 consecutive days.[36]

Soon after the election, Malinauskas pledged to implement a state-based Indigenous Voice to Parliament, as well as restarting treaty talks and greater investment in areas affecting Aboriginal South Australians.[37] In July 2022 Dale Agius was appointed as the state's first Commissioner for First Nations Voice, with the role commencing in August. Kokatha elder Dr Roger Thomas would continue as Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement for a further six months.[38]

The South Australian state-based Voice to Parliament was delayed until 2024, because of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.[39][40]

Ban from Russia

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Malinauskas was listed among 121 Australians banned from entering Russia, possibly due to his Lithuanian background. He later joked that he was "grateful" to be included on the list.[41][42][43]

Personal life

Malinauskas is married to Annabel West, a partner at a legal firm in Adelaide.[44] The couple has two daughters and two sons.[45][46]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Crouch, Brad (20 August 2011). "Meet Peter Malinauskas: South Australia's political wishmaker". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  2. ↑ Great photo and Happy Birthday to Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas: facebook.com/SouthAustralianLabor
  3. ↑ "Family Notices Births - Malinauskas–May", The Advertiser, 1980, Peter Bryden ... to Peter & Kathryn
  4. ↑ "Outcomes, not ideology, says Labor's rising star". 3 December 2015. Labor's rising star Peter Malinauskas has paid tribute to his refugee grandparents during his maiden speech in South Australia's parliament. ... His Hungarian grandmother Eta and Lithuanian grandfather Peter fled to SA after World War II, eventually opening a fish and chips shop.
  5. ↑ Peter Malinauskas biography: Working Life
  6. ↑ "Shops union maybe the king maker in Labor's leadership struggle". The Advertiser. 1 August 2011.
  7. ↑ "The audacious king makers in Labor's power struggle". The Advertiser. 3 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Labor National Executive".
  9. ↑ https://amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/16/south-australian-election-can-social-media-savvy-peter-malinauskas-lead-labor-back-to-power
  10. ↑ https://indaily.com.au/opinion/2015/12/04/a-dynasty-built-on-more-might-than-right/
  11. ↑ Kemp, Miles (21 February 2014). "Nuclear debate 'a must' for South Australia, says union boss". The Advertiser. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  12. ↑ "SA Premier heckled as Labor delays decision on nuclear dump". ABC News. 29 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  13. ↑ "Union boss endorsed by SA Labor to fill Finnigan's Upper House seat". ABC News. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  14. ↑ "Union leader Peter Malinauskas nominates for Bernard Finnigan's seat in South Australian Parliament". ABC News. 18 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "Malinauskas to join State Parliament". NewsComAu. 17 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Peter Malinauskas formally fills Legislative Council vacancy in South Australian Parliament". ABC News. December 2015.
  17. ↑ "Labor power plays as Jay keeps faction in check: InDaily". 19 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Peter Malinauskas, the man who would be Premier". The Advertiser. 1 December 2015.
  19. ↑ "State Labor MPs Michael Atkinson, Jennifer Rankine and Steph Key quitting politics at next election". The Advertiser. 3 February 2017.
  20. ↑ "ALP rising star Peter Malinauskas to nominate for safe Labor seat of Croydon". The Advertiser. 6 February 2017.
  21. ↑ Cabinet of South Australia: Premier.sa.gov.au Archived 21 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ "Peter Malinauskas, Leesa Vlahos confirmed as new members of SA Labor ministry". ABC News. Australia. 18 January 2016.
  23. ↑ "Reshuffle, Peter Malinauskas and Leesa Vlahos join Jay Weatherill's Cabinet". The Advertiser. 18 January 2016.
  24. ↑ Croydon - 2018 election: ABC
  25. ↑ "Peter Malinauskas sets the tone for SA Labor Opposition after meteoric rise". abc.net.au. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  26. ↑ "Malinauskas takes charge: 'We need to listen to SA'". indaily.com.au. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "Ex union boss Peter Malinauskas elected SA's opposition leader, with Susan Close as deputy". adelaidenow.com.au. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
  28. ↑ Hunt, Nigel; Fewster, Sean (14 April 2021). "Political bombshell: Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas allegedly blackmailed by former MP". The Advertiser. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  29. ↑ Blackmail charges withdrawn against former Labor MP and husband accused of targeting SA Premier ABC News, 21 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  30. ↑ "SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens and Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas among state's COVID cases". ABC News. 3 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  31. ↑ "South Australian Premier Steven Marshall isolating after daughter tests positive for COVID-19". ABC News. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  32. ↑ Malinauskas, Peter (13 January 2022). "Very nice to be out of isolation!". Facebook. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  33. ↑ "Labor pulls off stunning election victory in SA, ousting Liberals after one term". ABC News. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  34. ↑ "Key issues in the SA election campaign". 12 March 2022.
  35. ↑ "SA election 2022: Liberal minister Corey Wingard set to lose seat, One Nation could gain in upper house". ABC News. 20 March 2022.
  36. ↑ "South Australia ends COVID-19 state of emergency after 793 days". 24 May 2022.
  37. ↑ Smith, Douglas (23 March 2022). "What SA's new govt wants to achieve in Aboriginal affairs". NITV. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  38. ↑ "Next steps in implementing the Uluru Statement". Premier of South Australia. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  39. ↑
  40. ↑
  41. ↑ "SA Premier's hilarious response to being blacklisted from Russia". 17 June 2022.
  42. ↑ "Premier Peter Malinauskas 'grateful' of inclusion on Russian hit list".
  43. ↑ "Russia bans 121 Aussies from entering Moscow over 'Russophobic agenda'". 16 June 2022.
  44. ↑ Williams, Olivia (15 March 2022). "Get to meet Pete". Kiddo Magazine.
  45. ↑ "Labor leader Peter Malinauskas has been voted in as South Australia's new premier. What kind of leader will he be?". ABC News. 19 March 2022.
  46. ↑ "About Us". South Australian Labor Party. Retrieved 20 March 2022.

Notes

  1. ↑ English: /ˌmælɪˈnaʊskəs/ MAL-in-OW-skəs; Lithuanian: [mɐ.lʲɪ.nɐʊ̯.skɐs]
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