A Game of Snakes and Ladders
The recent cabinet reshuffle in South Australia has seen some political players climb the ladder of success, while others have slid backwards or fallen off the board entirely. This political game of Snakes and Ladders has brought about significant changes, with independent Dan Cregan joining the Labor government and senior female MPs Susan Close and Nat Cook losing some of their responsibilities.
One of the biggest beneficiaries of the shake-up is Dan Cregan, who has jumped from the opposition benches to the Labor cabinet. He has been appointed as the Minister for Police, Corrections, Emergency Services, and Special Minister of State, a newly created portfolio. This move gives him oversight of the Electoral Commission and responsibility for implementing Labor's pledge to ban political donations.
Another significant change is the expansion of Nick Champion's portfolio. He now holds the "super portfolio" of Housing, SA Water, and Housing SA. This move puts more elements of public policy related to housing under his control, giving him the power to address the state's housing woes.
However, these promotions have come at a cost. Susan Close, Labor's most senior female MP, has lost responsibility for Housing and SA Water. She has been given the newly created workforce and population strategy ministry, as well as the seniors and ageing portfolio. Nat Cook has also lost some of her responsibilities.
The reshuffle has also left Health Minister Chris Picton in his position, despite calls from the opposition for him to be removed due to the ongoing ambulance ramping crisis. The premier has indicated that there may be another reshuffle before the 2026 election, leaving the political landscape in a state of uncertainty.