Peter Malinauskas is currently serving as the 47th Premier of South Australia, assuming office in March 2022. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and represents the division of Croydon in the House of Assembly since April 2018. Prior to becoming Premier, Malinauskas held the position of Leader of the Opposition from 2018 until leading his party to victory in the 2022 state election. He has been an active member of the South Australian Parliament, initially serving in the Legislative Council from December 2015 to March 2018 before being elected to the House of Assembly. Throughout his career, he has held various ministerial positions, including Minister for Health from September 2017 to March 2018, and Minister for Police, Emergency, and Correctional Services from January 2016 to September 2017. Malinauskas succeeded Jay Weatherill as the leader of the South Australian Labor Party and has been accompanied by his deputy, Susan Close.
Peter Malinauskas is the current Premier of South Australia, serving as the 47th Premier since March 2022. He is a member of the Australian Labor Party and represents the Croydon division in the House of Assembly since April 2018. Before becoming Premier, he was the Leader of the Opposition and has held various ministerial positions in the South Australian Parliament.
Peter Malinauskas was born on August 14, 1980, in Adelaide, South Australia. His parents are Kathryn (Kate) (née May) and Peter Malinauskas. He is an Australian citizen and comes from a mixed ethnic background. His paternal grandmother, Eta, survived World War II and fled the post-war communist Hungarian state, eventually settling in Bathurst, New South Wales. She married Peter Malinauskas Sr., a Lithuanian refugee, and they later moved to Adelaide, where they opened a fish and chip shop. Malinauskas' maternal ancestors were of middle-class Irish heritage. As a student, he attended Mercedes College in Colonel Light Gardens, where his leadership potential was evident in his involvement in football, cricket, and academic excellence. He served on the student representative council and was appointed school captain in year 12. Principal Peter Daw described Malinauskas as a "future leader" with a magnetic personality that appealed to both teachers and students, as he actively participated in various activities and was well-liked among his peers.
Peter Malinauskas began his career at Woolworths at the age of 15, working as a trolley boy and later as a checkout operator and night filler. He developed a strong connection with Don Farrell through his involvement in the workers' unionism at Woolworths. While working, Malinauskas pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Adelaide. He later became a prominent union official, serving as the Secretary of the South Australian/Northern Territory branch of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) from 2008 to 2015. As a key figure in the Labor Right faction of the Australian Labor Party, Malinauskas was reportedly involved in informing Mike Rann to step down as premier of South Australia in favor of Jay Weatherill. In 2015, he was elected to Labor's National Executive at the party's National Conference.
In 2011, when asked about progressive political issues such as same-sex marriage, stem-cell research, euthanasia, and abortion, Peter Malinauskas described his personal views as "socially conservative." He expressed his frustration with the left-wing ideology that prioritizes imposing equality over providing equal opportunities, emphasizing his belief in the importance of universal access to quality education for achieving fairness. In 2014, despite his party's opposition at the time, Malinauskas expressed support for nuclear power in South Australia, citing climate change as a significant challenge and highlighting the potential of nuclear energy as a safe and carbon emission-free baseload power source. He called for a science-based and economically viable debate on the establishment of a nuclear industry in the region, stressing the need for evidence-based decision-making.
After Bernard Finnigan's resignation from parliament in November 2015, Peter Malinauskas was appointed to fill the Legislative Council casual vacancy in the Parliament of South Australia in December. Premier Jay Weatherill hinted at Malinauskas joining the Cabinet in an upcoming ministerial reshuffle in early 2016, leading to speculation about his potential candidacy for the position of Labor premier of South Australia. There were reports of media speculation and internal party discussions suggesting that Malinauskas could enter the House of Assembly through preselection in the safe seat of Croydon, replacing incumbent Michael Atkinson, who expressed willingness to vacate his seat for Malinauskas. Atkinson announced his retirement in February 2017, and Malinauskas confirmed his intention to nominate for preselection. From January 2016 to March 2018, Malinauskas served in the Weatherill Ministry, holding various ministerial portfolios including police, correctional services, emergency services, road safety, health, and mental health and substance abuse. In the 2018 election, Malinauskas successfully won the seat of Croydon.
After the 2018 election, Malinauskas was elected as the Leader of the Labor Party and subsequently became the Leader of the Opposition following Jay Weatherill's resignation. He was joined by Susan Close, the former Education Minister, as his deputy. In April 2021, Malinauskas was involved in a blackmail case where former Labor MP Annabel Digance and her husband were arrested for allegedly attempting to blackmail him. The charges against the Digances were dropped in April 2023. In January 2022, Malinauskas tested positive for COVID-19 and went into isolation. His wife and three children also contracted the virus, but he recovered and resumed his activities in the community by January 13th, 2022.
Following a successful state election in March 2022, Peter Malinauskas led the Labor Party to victory. Healthcare emerged as a prominent theme during the election campaign. On 21 March 2022, Malinauskas was sworn in as the premier of South Australia. In May 2022, his government ended the state of emergency for COVID-19 that had been in place for 793 consecutive days. Shortly after the election, Malinauskas committed to establishing a state-based Indigenous Voice to Parliament, resuming treaty talks, and increasing investment in areas that impact Aboriginal South Australians. In July 2022, Dale Agius was appointed as the state's first Commissioner for First Nations Voice, with the role set to begin in August, while Dr Roger Thomas would continue as Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement for an additional six months. In the aftermath of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, he found himself among the 121 Australians who were prohibited from entering Russia, potentially due to his Lithuanian heritage. He humorously remarked that he was appreciative of being included on the list.
Peter Malinauskas is happily married to his beautiful wife, Annabel West, who is a partner at a legal firm in Adelaide. They are currently leading a blissful life together with their three children, Sophie, Jack, and Eliza, all under the age of eight. Excitingly, the couple has announced that their family will soon be expanding, with the anticipated arrival of their fourth child in November. While the gender of the baby remains undisclosed, Malinauskas jokingly mentioned the possibility of naming the child after Connor Rozee, a renowned player from the Port Adelaide Power team.
Peter Malinauskas is a highly successful politician with an estimated net worth of approximately $4 million in 2023. His primary source of income is derived from his political career, which has established him as one of the wealthiest and most influential politicians in Australia. Currently earning an annual income of around $500,000, Malinauskas enjoys a luxurious lifestyle and indulges in fancy cars and trips befitting his success.
Peter Malinauskas is a handsome man with a standing height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.7 meters or 170 centimeters) and his body weight consist of 70 kilograms. He has brown eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. With a slim and well-maintained body, Malinauskas takes care of his physical appearance. He has got a healthy body as of now and he frequently hits the gym to maintain his body.
Peter Malinauskas currently holds the prestigious position of being the 47th Premier of South Australia. As the leader of the state, he assumed office in March 2022 and has been responsible for governing and representing the interests of the people of South Australia. This significant role places him at the helm of the state's government, overseeing crucial decision-making processes, and policy implementations, and leading the state in various socio-economic matters. As the Premier, Malinauskas plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of South Australia and addressing the challenges and opportunities that arise during his tenure.
Peter Malinauskas is a dedicated member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), aligning himself with the values and principles of the political party. As a staunch supporter of the ALP, Malinauskas shares the party's commitment to social justice, economic equality, and progressive policies. Through his membership, he actively engages in the party's activities, participates in policy discussions, and collaborates with fellow party members to advocate for the interests of the Australian people. As a member of the ALP, Malinauskas contributes to the party's vision for a fair and inclusive society, working towards achieving positive change and better outcomes for the citizens of South Australia and the nation as a whole.
Before entering the political arena, Peter Malinauskas made significant contributions as an influential union official. From 2008 to 2015, he held the esteemed position of Secretary for the South Australian/Northern Territory branch of the Shop, Distributive, and Allied Employees' Association (SDA). This prominent role placed him at the forefront of the Labor Right faction, which holds significant influence within the South Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party. As Secretary, Malinauskas effectively represented the interests of the union's members and played a vital role in advancing the rights and welfare of workers. His experience as a union official provided him with valuable insights into the labor movement and shaped his understanding of the importance of collective bargaining and worker empowerment.
Peter Malinauskas has a rich and diverse ethnic background. On his paternal side, he hails from Lithuanian heritage, reflecting his family's roots and connection to the Baltic country. This cultural influence from Lithuania adds a unique dimension to his background. On his maternal side, Malinauskas traces his lineage to Irish descent, embodying the traditions and heritage of the Emerald Isle. The combination of Lithuanian and Irish ancestry contributes to his multifaceted identity, representing the blending of different cultures and enriching his understanding and appreciation of diverse customs and traditions. Malinauskas's mixed ethnic background serves as a testament to the multicultural fabric that shapes modern Australia and underscores the importance of embracing and celebrating cultural diversity.
Peter Malinauskas served as the Leader of the Opposition from 2018 until leading his party to victory in the 2022 state election. He assumed the role after Jay Weatherill's resignation, and alongside his deputy Susan Close, he led the opposition against the incumbent government. During his tenure as the Opposition Leader, Malinauskas faced challenges, including a blackmail case involving former Labor MP Annabel Digance and her husband. He also contracted COVID-19 in January 2022 but made a full recovery and resumed his duties.