Malinauskas, the right faction figurehead who has triumphantly led Labor back into majority government after just one term in Opposition, is now tasked with selecting his first ministry, which will be sworn in at a later date this week.
Asked about what the makeup of that cabinet might be, the Premier-elect was coy on specifics but emphasised the importance of his shadow cabinet.
“I can’t thank my shadow cabinet enough for the work they’ve done over the last four years, they’ve put us in this incredibly strong position,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“We have worked with unanimity and absolute determination to ensure that we offer a stable alternative.
“I place a value on stability, but I also place a value on renewal, and in coming days we’ll be doing important work to ensure that a cabinet I lead is a strong one, a united one, and puts the interests of South Australians first.
“We’ve got a big policy agenda, and we need a high-quality team to deliver that, and I will make whatever decisions are required to ensure that we achieve that outcome.”
Under the current shadow cabinet line-up, Kaurna MP Chris Picton will get the all-important Health portfolio while party veteran Tom Koutsantonis will handle Transport, Infrastructure, Energy and Mining.
Upper House MLCxjmtzyw and left faction heavyweight Kyam Maher would take over as Attorney General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs under this arrangement. Hurtle Vale MP Nat Cook is set to handle Human Services while Wright MP Blair Boyer will manage Education.
Malinauskas’s handled Jobs along with the Defence and Space Industry portfolios as Opposition leader.
Labor also faces a looming decision on who to install as Speaker of the House, with Liberal turncoat Dan Cregan – who has been re-elected as an Independent with a thumping majority in Kavel – holding the role in the most recent parliament.
Malinauskas said it would be “presumptuous” to speculate on who will be Speaker until the makeup of the parliament is finalised.
“Clearly, there are a lot of seats in play, there are a lot of seats that are in doubt, so let’s wait and see the final formulation of the parliament,” he said.
