View source for Government of South Australia

{{Short description|Australian state government}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2015}}
{{ Infobox executive government
 | nativename = Government of the State of South Australia
 | border = state
 | image = Government of South Australia logo.svg
 | image_size = 250px
 | caption = 
 | date = {{bulleted list|{{start date and age|1857|04|22|df=yes}} as a [[responsible government|responsible colonial government]]|{{start date and age|1901|01|01|df=yes}} as an [[States and territories of Australia|Australian state]]}}
 | country = {{flag|Australia}}
 | state = {{flag|South Australia}}
 | leader_title = [[Premier of South Australia]] ([[Peter Malinauskas]])
 | appointed = [[Governor of South Australia]] ([[Frances Adamson]]) on the [[Advice (constitutional law)|advice]] of the premier
 | main_organ = {{Plainlist|
* Executive Council of South Australia (''[[de jure]]'')
* [[Cabinet of South Australia]] (''[[de facto]]'')
}}
 | ministries = [[List of South Australian government agencies|15 government departments]]
 | responsible = [[Parliament of South Australia]]
 | budget = {{increase}} $27.5 billion (2023–24)<ref>{{Cite web |last= South Australian Government |date=June 2024 |title=State Budget 2024-25: Budget Statement|url=https://www.statebudget.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1014375/2024-25-Budget-Statement.pdf}}</ref>
 | address = State Administration Centre, 200 Victoria Square, Adelaide
 | url = {{URL|sa.gov.au}}
 }}

The '''Government of South Australia''', also referred to as the '''South Australian Government''' or the '''SA Government''', is the executive branch of the [[state government|state]] of [[South Australia]]. It is modelled on the [[Westminster system]], meaning that the highest ranking members of the executive are drawn from an elected [[Parliament of South Australia|state parliament]]. Specifically the party or coalition which holds a majority of the [[South Australian House of Assembly|House of Assembly]] (the lower chamber of the South Australian Parliament).<ref name=aboutparl/>

==History==
{{further|British colonisation of South Australia| History of South Australia}}

South Australia was established via [[Letters Patent establishing the Province of South Australia|letters patent]] by [[King William IV]] in February of 1836, pursuant to the [[South Australia Act 1834|''South Australian Colonisation Act 1834'']]. Governance in the colony was organised according to the principles developed by [[Edward Gibbon Wakefield|Edward Wakefield]], where settlement would be conducted by free settlers rather than convicts.<ref name="DDSAA">{{cite web |last1=Museum of Australia Democracy |title=South Australia Act, or Foundation Act, of 1834 (UK) |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-sdid-37.html |website=Documenting Democracy: Australia's Story |publisher=Museum of Australian Democracy |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref> Therefore governance would be divided between the [[Governor of South Australia|Governor]] who was responsible to the [[British Crown]] and tasked with the authority to make laws,<ref name=selfgov>{{cite web | title= South Australia Achieves Self Government in 1857| website=parliament.sa.gov.au | url=https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/The-First-Parliament | access-date=17 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=histparl>{{cite web| url=https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/History| title=History| website =Parliament of South Australia |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> and Colonisation Commissioners who were responsible for the sale of land to settlers to fund the colony.<ref name="DDSAA"/> This structure was found to be troublesome as the commission had control of the funds rather than the Governor, and as a result in 1838, the Governor was appointed Resident Commissioner to resolve conflict.<ref name="CSA">{{cite book |last1=Selway |first1=Bradley |title=The Constitution of South Australia |date=1997 |publisher=Federation Press |location=Leichhardt, New South Wales |isbn=9781862872516 |page=1-9}}</ref>

In 1842 the British Parliament reorganised the structure of South Australia's governance by abolishing the Colonisation Commission and creating a [[Legislative Council of South Australia|Legislative Council]] of eight people (including the Governor) to exercise the legislative power of the colony.<ref name="DD1842">{{cite web |last1=Museum of Australian Democracy |title=South Australia Act 1842 (UK)  |url=https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-5.html |website=Documenting Democracy |publisher=Museum of Australian Democracy |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref> In 1850 the British Parliament passed the ''[[Australian Constitutions Act 1850]]'', which empowered the Legislative Council to alter its own composition. The Legislative Council responded by passing the ''Constitution Act 1856'', which created a [[bicameral parliament]] and an [[responsible government|executive responsible]] to it.<ref name="CSA"/> [[Boyle Finniss]] was appointed the first [[Premier of South Australia]] as part of an interim executive until elections to the new Parliament could be held in [[1857 South Australian colonial election|1857]].<ref name="SAASG">{{cite web |last1=Parliament of South Australia |title=South Australia Achieves Self-Government in 1857 |url=https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/The-First-Parliament |website=The First Parliament |publisher=Parliament of South Australia |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="BTF">{{cite web |last1=Australian Dictionary of Biography |title=Boyle Travers Finniss (1807–1893) |url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/finniss-boyle-travers-2044#:~:text=Boyle%20Travers%20Finniss%20(1807%2D1893)%2C%20soldier%2C%20surveyor,his%20wife%20Susanna%2C%20née%20Major. |website=Australian Dictionary of Biography |publisher=Australian National University |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref>

The executive comprised ministers selected from the Parliament and the Governor was no longer able to unilaterally make most decisions. The new Parliament and Executive took over almost all of the powers held by the [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] regarding the appointment to official positions in the colony, immigration, and customs matters.<ref name=selfgov/> 

When [[federation of Australia|federation]] occurred in 1901, South Australia became a state of the [[Australian Government|Commonwealth of Australia]] under the [[Constitution of Australia]], which regulates the South Australia's relationship with the Commonwealth.<ref>{{cite web | title=Australian system of government | website=Parliamentary Education Office| publisher= Australian Government | date=8 November 2021 | url=https://peo.gov.au/understand-our-parliament/how-parliament-works/system-of-government/australian-system-of-government/ | access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> The state ceded certain executive powers (such as defence and customs),<ref name="s 69">{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|coaca430|Australian Constitution|69}}</ref> but retained powers in all matters not withdrawn from them or in conflict with the Commonwealth.<ref name="s 107">{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|coaca430|Australian Constitution|107}}</ref><ref name="s109">{{Cite Legislation AU|Cth|act|coaca430|Australian Constitution|109}}</ref>

In 1934, the ''Constitution Act 1856'' was repealed and replaced with the ''Constitution Act 1934'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ca1934188/notes.html |title=Constitution Act 1934 - Notes |access-date=9 March 2022| via=[[Austlii]]}}</ref> which remains in force today with amendments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ca1934188/ |title=Constitution Act 1934 |publisher=Government of South Australia |via=[[Austlii]] |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref>

==Structure==
South Australia is governed according to the principles of the [[Westminster system]], a form of [[parliamentary system|parliamentary government]] based on the model of the [[United Kingdom]].<ref name=aboutparl>{{cite web| url=https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/en/About-Parliament/The-Government-of-SA| title=The Government of South Australia| website =Parliament of South Australia |access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref>

Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of the governor and senior ministers.<ref name= aboutparl/> The [[Governor of South Australia |Governor]] plays an important practical role under the state's constitution and fulfils a symbolic role as local head of state. The Governor is appointed by the King and, for most practical purposes, exercises His Majesty's powers in the state. These include the fundamental powers to dissolve Parliament, call elections and appoint and dismiss ministers. The Governor in Executive Council is the formal mechanism for administration of the state. Many of the decisions made by Cabinet do not have legal effect until they are signed by the Governor in Executive Council. All items for the approval of the Governor in Executive Council must first be considered by Cabinet, with the exception of the assent to Acts. When exercising a statutory power, the Governor must act with the advice and consent of Executive Council. All ministers are ex officio members of Executive Council.<ref>{{cite web | title=Executive Council | website=Department of the Premier and Cabinet (SA) | date=28 March 2019 | url=https://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/responsibilities/cabinet-and-executive-council/executive-council | access-date=17 December 2023}} [[File:CC-BY icon.svg|50px]] Text has been copied from this source, which is available under a [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Attribution 4.0 International  (CC BY 4.0)] licence.</ref> 

In practice, executive power is exercised by the [[premier of South Australia]] and the [[Cabinet of South Australia]], who advise the Governor. The Cabinet comprises 15 ministers, headed by the Premier, who are either members of the [[South Australian House of Assembly|House of Assembly]] or the [[Legislative Council of South Australia|Legislative Council]]. Cabinet is responsible for determining policies which are submitted to Parliament.<ref name= aboutparl/>

==Current ministry==
{{main|Malinauskas ministry|Cabinet of South Australia}}
<!-- table to be aligned with Cabinet of South Australia-->
As of 19 September 2025, the ministry of the South Australian Government comprised the following 17 Labor Party members.:<ref>{{Gazette SA|title=Governor's Instruments|issue=54|page=3921-3925|date=19 September 2025|url=https://www.governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/2025/September/2025_054.pdf|access-date=5 November 2025}}</ref>
{{update|section|April 2024|Cabinet was reshuffled 19 September 2025.|date=September 2025}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan=2 | Minister
! Portfolio
! colspan=2 | Party affiliation
|-
| [[Peter Malinauskas]] <small>[[South Australian House of Assembly|MP]]</small> 
| [[File:Peter_Malinauskas_MP.png|80x80px]]
|
* [[Premier of South Australia|Premier]]
* Minister for Defence and Space Industries
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
|-
| [[Kyam Maher]] <small>[[South Australian Legislative Council|MLC]]</small>
| [[File:Kyam Maher SA Government.jpg|80px]]
|
* [[Attorney-General of South Australia|Attorney-General]]
* Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
* Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector
* Special Minister of State
* Leader of Government Business in the Legislative Council
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Tom Koutsantonis]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Tom_Koutsantonis_MP.png|80x80px]]
|
* Treasurer
* [[Department for Infrastructure and Transport|Minister for Infrastructure and Transport]]
* Minister for Energy and Mining
* Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
|-
| [[Zoe Bettison]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Zoe_Bettison_MP.png|80px]]
|
* Minister for Tourism
* Minister for Multicultural Affairs
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Chris Picton]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Chris Picton MP.png|80px]]
|
* Minister for Health and Wellbeing
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Katrine Hildyard]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
|[[File:Katrine_Hildyard_MP.jpg|80px]]
|
* Minister for Child Protection
* Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
* Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Nat Cook]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Nat_Cook_MP.png|80x80px]]
|
* Minister for Human Services
* Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Clare Scriven]] [[South Australian Legislative Council|<small>MLC</small>]]
| [[File:Clare_Scriven_MLC.png|80px]]
|
* Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
* Minister for Forest Industries
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Blair Boyer]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Blair_Boyer_MP.png|80px]]
|
* Minister for Education, Training and Skills
* Minister for 
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Andrea Michaels]] <small>[[South Australian House of Assembly|MP]]</small>
| [[File:Andrea_Michaels_MP.png|80px]]
|
* Minister for Small and Family Business
* Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs
* Minister for Arts
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Joe Szakacs]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Joe_Szakacs_MP.png|80px]]
|
* Minister for Trade and Investment
* Minister for Local Government
* Minister for Veterans Affairs
* Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Nick Champion]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
| [[File:Nick_Champion_MP.jpg|80x80px]]
|
* Minister for Housing and Urban Development
* Minister for Housing Infrastructure
* Minister for Planning
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
| Labor
|-
| [[Emily Bourke]] [[South Australian Legislative Council|<small>MLC</small>]]
| [[File:Emily Bourke.png|80x80px]]
|
* Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
* Minister for Autism
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};" |
|Labor
|-
|[[Rhiannon Pearce]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
|[[File:Rhiannon_Pearce_MP.png|80x80px]]
|
* Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services
* Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
|Labor
|-
|[[Lucy Hood (politician)|Lucy Hood]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
|[[File:Lucy_Hood_MP.png|80x80px]]
|
* Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
|Labor
|-
|[[Michael Brown (Australian politician)|Michael Brown]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
|[[File:Michael Edison Brown.png|80x80px]]
|
* Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Economy, Defence and Space Industries
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
|Labor
|-
|[[Nadia Clancy]] [[South Australian House of Assembly|<small>MP</small>]]
|[[File:Nadia_Clancy_MP.png|80x80px]]
|
* Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
| style="background:{{party color|Australian Labor Party (South Australian Branch)}};"|
|Labor
|}

==Government agencies==
{{main|List of South Australian government agencies}}

The South Australian Government is divided into departments or attached offices to those departments. Departments and their attached offices are overseen by a [[government minister]] who is a member of the Parliament. However some departments or attached offices may be afforded a degree of independence by statute and may only be subject to ministerial direction in specific circumstances (for example the Audit Office or the Electoral Commission). There are currently 21 departments, though not all of them use the word department in their title.

*Attorney-General's Department
*Audit Office of South Australia
*Department for Child Protection
*[[Department for Correctional Services]]
*Defence SA
*[[Department for Education (South Australia)|Department for Education]]
**Office for Early Childhood Development
*[[Electoral Commission of South Australia]]
*Department for Energy and Mining
**Office of Hydrogen Power South Australia
**Office of Northern Water Delivery
*[[Department for Environment and Water]]
*Environment Protection Agency (EPA)
*Office of Green Industries SA
*[[Department of Health and Wellbeing (South Australia)|Department of Health and Wellbeing]]
**Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health
**Preventative Health SA
*Department for Housing and Urban Development
*Department of Human Services
*[[Department for Infrastructure and Transport]]
**Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing
*[[Department of the Premier and Cabinet (South Australia)|Department of the Premier and Cabinet]]
**Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment
**Premier's Delivery Unit
**Office of the South Australian Productivity Commission 
*[[Department of Primary Industries and Regions]] (PIRSA)
*[[South Australia Police|South Australian Police Department]]
*Department of State Development
*[[Department of Treasury and Finance (South Australia)|Department of Treasury and Finance]]
*Office of Venue Management<ref>{{cite web |last1=Office of Parliamentary Counsel |title=Administrative Units of the Public Service of South Australia |url=https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/1108433/2025.01.29-Administrative-Units.pdf |website=South Australian Legislation |publisher=Office of Parliamentary Counsel |access-date=13 February 2025}}</ref>

===Government business enterprises===
*[[South Australian Forestry Corporation]] trading as ForestrySA<ref>{{cite web|title=ForestrySA Corporate Overview|url=http://www.forestrysa.com.au/About-Us/CorporateOverviewandCharter|publisher=ForestrySA|access-date=18 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924014600/http://www.forestrysa.com.au/About-Us/CorporateOverviewandCharter|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*South Australian Water Corporation trading as [[SA Water]]<ref>{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.sawater.com.au/about-us/about-us|publisher=SA Water|access-date=18 August 2015|archive-date=19 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119142853/http://www.sawater.com.au/about-us/about-us|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|South Australia|Government}}
* [[First Nations Voice to Parliament (South Australia)]]
* [[List of South Australian government agencies]]
*[[List of South Australian Ministries]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{official|https://www.sa.gov.au/}}
*[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/ca1934188/ The Constitution of South Australia]
{{South Australia}}
{{Government of South Australia}}
{{Politics of Australia}}
{{Government of Australia by state}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Government of South Australia| ]]