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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Ministers

    Ministers for the Department of State Development
    Minister Close

    Hon. Susan Close MP

    DEPUTY PREMIER

    Susan Close is the Deputy Premier of South Australia and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water; Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science; and Minister for Workforce and Population Strategy.

    Susan has been the Member for Port Adelaide since 2012.

    Before entering parliament, Susan was an executive in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and played a key role in the establishment of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary as a community advocate. She previously worked at the University of Adelaide managing student services and holds a PhD from Flinders University.

    Hon. Blair Boyer MP

    MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, TRAINING AND SKILLS

    Blair lives in the north eastern suburbs of Adelaide with his wife and three daughters. He grew up on the family farm in rural South West Victoria, not far from Mount Gambier.

    He was elected to represent the State electorate of Wright in 2018 and was appointed Minister for Education Training and Skills in March 2022.

    Blair is passionate about education and believes that a strong, affordable and accessible public education system is the key to equality.

    Minister Miachaels

    Hon. Andrea Michaels MP

    MINISTER FOR SMALL AND FAMILY BUSINESS

    Andrea Michaels is the South Australian Minister for Small and Family Business, Consumer and Business Affairs, and Arts. She is also the State Member for Enfield, representing the community in Adelaide’s inner North and North-Eastern suburbs.

    Andrea’s family fled war-torn Cyprus in 1974, landing in South Australia in 1976 when she was just 11 months old with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Through her parents’ hard work, commitment to family and dedication to their community, Andrea was instilled with a passion for community service. She is now the proud mother of two boys, Sebastian and Charlie, and is keen to ensure that they and their peers are also provided with ample opportunities in a strong, diverse and thriving community.

    Prior to becoming a Minister, Andrea was running her own small business – a legal practice specialising in commercial law and supporting small and family businesses. She has also been Treasurer of the Law Society of SA, a company director, and a partner at industry leading law firms, as well as a chartered tax advisor and accredited family business advisor.

    Andrea is passionate about promoting diversity, supporting more women to launch and grow businesses, and building safe, fair and friendly communities.

    She is focused on ensuring the Government is easy to do business with, that small businesses are supported to succeed, and that the whole community has access to a thriving cultural and creative sector.

    Andrea is also committed to being a strong voice for the people of Enfield.

    Hon. Joe Szakacs MP

    MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT

    Joe Szakacs MP was elected in February 2019, in a by-election held upon the retirement of the Hon. Jay Weatherill.

    Joe was born at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and raised in Royal Park. He was educated at local primary and secondary schools and attended university in both Australia and the US. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

    Before formally entering politics, he held various roles in the trade union movement, legal practice and as a company director in the superannuation and insurance industries. Joe was elected as Secretary of SA Unions, the peak body for trade unions in South Australia, and lead the organisation for five years. During his tenure he held national positions with the Australian Council of Trade Unions including the National Executive and National Growth and Campaigns Committee.

    He was a member of the Board of Directors of Statewide Super holding various positions including Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and a member of the Investment Committee. He has participated in various global forums for workers capital and pension funds, including the Global Union’s Committee on Workers’ Capital and the United Nations Principals of Responsible Investment.

    He has also held director roles on the boards of the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission and Return to Work SA.

    Joe was a representative swimmer, competing nationally and internationally. He held multiple South Australian records, was a member of the South Australian Sports Institute, and a scholarship holder on the University of Missouri (USA) Swimming Team.