Peter Malinauskas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Malinauskas
MHA
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Malinauskas in 2018
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| 47th Premier of South Australia | |
| Assumed office 21 March 2022 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Governor | Frances Adamson |
| Deputy | Susan Close |
| Preceded by | Steven Marshall |
| Leader of the South Australian Labor Party | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2018 |
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| Deputy | Susan Close |
| Preceded by | Jay Weatherill |
| Leader of the Opposition in South Australia | |
| In office 9 April 2018 – 21 March 2022 |
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| Premier | Steven Marshall |
| Deputy | Susan Close |
| Preceded by | Steven Marshall |
| Succeeded by | David Speirs |
| Minister for Health | |
| In office 18 September 2017 – 18 March 2018 |
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| Premier | Jay Weatherill |
| Preceded by | Jack Snelling |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Wade |
| Minister for Police, Emergency and Correctional Services | |
| In office 19 January 2016 – 18 September 2017 |
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| Premier | Jay Weatherill |
| Preceded by | Tony Piccolo |
| Succeeded by | Chris Picton |
| Member of the South Australian Parliament for Croydon |
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| Assumed office 17 March 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Michael Atkinson |
| Member of the South Australian Legislative Council |
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| In office 1 December 2015 – 17 March 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Bernard Finnigan |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Peter Bryden Malinauskas
14 August 1980 Adelaide, South Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party (SA) |
| Spouse | Annabel West |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide (BCom) |
| Signature |  |
| Nickname | Mali |
Peter Bryden Malinauskas (born 14 August 1980) is an Australian politician from South Australia. He is currently the 47th Premier of South Australia. He was elected to this role on 19 March 2022.
Peter Malinauskas has been the leader of the South Australian Labor Party since 2018. He is also a member of the South Australian House of Assembly for the area of Croydon. Before this, he was a member of the South Australian Legislative Council from 2015 to 2018. During that time, he became the Leader of the Opposition until his party won the state election in 2022.
Malinauskas was born in Adelaide. He went to Mercedes College and studied business at the University of Adelaide. From 2008 to 2015, he was a leader in a workers' union called the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association. He became a member of the Legislative Council in 2015. In the government led by Jay Weatherill, Malinauskas was a minister for health, police, emergency, and correctional services.
In the 2018 state election, Malinauskas won the seat of Croydon. His party lost the election, ending 16 years in government. After Jay Weatherill stepped down, Malinauskas was chosen as the Labor Party leader, with Susan Close as his deputy. After only one term as the opposition leader, Malinauskas led his party to a big win in the 2022 state election.
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Early Life and School
Peter Malinauskas was born in South Australia on 14 August 1980. His grandmother on his father's side came from Hungary. She survived World War II and moved to Australia. She married Peter Malinauskas Sr., who was a refugee from Lithuania. They moved to Adelaide and opened a fish and chip shop. His mother's family came from Ireland.
When he was growing up, Malinauskas lived in Colonel Light Gardens. He went to Mercedes College, a Catholic school. At school, he was good at sports like Australian rules football and cricket. He also did well in his studies. He was part of the student council and was the school captain in his final year. His principal remembered him as a "future leader" and a "popular lad" who was involved in many activities.
Working with Unions
Malinauskas started working at Woolworths when he was 15, in 1995. He worked there for seven years, starting as a trolley boy and later working at the checkout. During this time, he also earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Adelaide.
He became an important leader in the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA), a major workers' union. He served as the Secretary for the South Australian and Northern Territory branch of the SDA from 2008 to 2015. This union was a big part of the Labor Party in South Australia. In 2015, he was also elected to Labor's national leadership group.
Political Ideas
Peter Malinauskas is part of a group within the Labor Party called the "Labor Right." His political ideas are often described as being in the middle, or "centrist."
In 2011, when asked about certain social issues, Malinauskas said his personal views were "socially conservative." He explained that he joined the Australian labour movement because he believes in "equal opportunity" and a "fair go" for everyone. He said he is passionate about Australian education because he believes that everyone should have access to good schooling to have a chance to succeed.
Malinauskas has also spoken about nuclear power in South Australia. In 2014, he said he supported it, even though the Labor Party at the time was against new nuclear waste sites or power plants. He believes that nuclear energy can be a safe way to produce power without carbon emissions, which helps with climate change. He thought there should be a discussion based on science and facts about whether a nuclear industry could work in South Australia.
Political Career
On 1 December 2015, Malinauskas became a member of the South Australian Legislative Council. This happened after another politician, Bernard Finnigan, resigned.
The Premier at the time, Jay Weatherill, suggested that Malinauskas might join his team of ministers. There was talk that Malinauskas could become the next Labor Premier. He was expected to move to the South Australian House of Assembly by running for the seat of Croydon. The person holding that seat, Michael Atkinson, had said he would be willing to step aside for Malinauskas. Atkinson announced in February 2017 that he would retire from parliament. Malinauskas then confirmed he would run for the seat.
Malinauskas served as a minister in the government from January 2016 to March 2018. During this time, he was responsible for different areas, including police, correctional services, emergency services, road safety, health, and mental health.
Malinauskas won the seat of Croydon in the 2018 state election.
Leader of the Opposition (2018–2022)
After the 2018 election, Jay Weatherill resigned as Labor leader. On 9 April 2018, Peter Malinauskas was chosen as the new Labor Leader. This meant he became the Leader of the Opposition, with Susan Close as his deputy.
In April 2021, a former Labor politician and her husband were accused of trying to pressure Malinauskas. The charges against them were later withdrawn in April 2023.
Premier of South Australia (2022–present)
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Premiership of Peter Malinauskas
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| 21 March 2022 – present (3 years, 147 days) | |
| Premier | Peter Malinauskas |
| Governor | Frances Adamson |
| Cabinet | Malinauskas ministry |
| Party | Labor |
| Election | 2022 |
| Appointer | Governor Frances Adamson |
| Seat | Adelaide |
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In March 2022, Malinauskas led the Labor Party to victory in the state election. He focused on improving healthcare during his campaign. He officially became the Premier of South Australia on 21 March 2022.
In May 2022, his government ended South Australia's state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic in South Australia. This state of emergency had been in place for 793 days.
Soon after becoming Premier, Malinauskas promised to create a state-based First Nations Voice to Parliament. This would give Aboriginal people a way to advise the government. He also planned to restart talks about treaties and invest more in areas important to Aboriginal South Australians. In July 2022, Dale Agius was appointed as the state's first Commissioner for First Nations Voice. The state-based Voice elections took place on 16 March 2024.
In April 2024, Malinauskas stepped in to protect a historic pub called the Crown & Anchor in Adelaide. This pub is famous for its live music. A developer had planned to change it significantly. Malinauskas made sure the building was temporarily protected as a heritage site.
Also in April 2024, Malinauskas started a review of a plan to change the South Australian Museum. The plan had included cutting 27 research jobs. He noted that both his government and the previous one had reduced the museum's budget.
The Malinauskas government has introduced several new plans. These include changes to education, such as making a civics subject compulsory in schools. They have also opened more pharmacies that are open 24/7. They are working to reduce ambulance waiting times by adding more hospital beds and building new ambulance stations.
On 8 September 2024, the Malinauskas government suggested a new law called the Children (Social Media Safety) Bill 2024. This law would stop children under 14 from using social media. It would also require parents to give permission for children aged 14 and 15 to use social media. This bill followed a review by a former Chief Justice. Soon after, Malinauskas supported the federal government's plan for an age verification system for social media.
On 27 November 2024, a new law called the Electoral (Accountability and Integrity) Amendment Act 2024 was passed. This law bans political donations and sets limits on how much money parties, candidates, and other groups can spend during elections. It is the first law of its kind in the world.
Personal Life
Peter Malinauskas is married to Annabel West, who is a lawyer in Adelaide. They have two daughters and two sons. Peter Malinauskas is a Catholic.
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Malinauskas was one of 121 Australians banned from entering Russia. This might have been because of his Lithuanian background. He later joked that he was "grateful" to be on the list. His government stopped state investments in Russian assets. They also sent aid to Ukraine and welcomed Ukrainian refugees.
See also
- 2026 South Australian state election
- 2022 South Australian state election
- Malinauskas ministry
- Shadow ministry of Peter Malinauskas
