Ministers

The Department of Trade and Economic Development has responsibilities to three State Ministers:

 The Hon. Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia

Labor’s Mike Rann became South Australia’s 44th Premier after the State election in March 2002 and was re-elected in March 2006.

As well as his duties as Premier, Mr Rann has assumed the portfolios of Economic Development, Social Inclusion, the Arts, and Sustainability and Climate Change.

He was first elected to the South Australian Parliament in 1985 as the Member for Briggs, later Ramsay.

In December 1989 he was elected to the Labor Cabinet under Premier John Bannon, as Minister for Employment and Further Education, Minister for Youth Affairs, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Assisting in Ethnic Affairs.

In September 1992 he became Minister for Business and Regional Development, Minister for Tourism and Minister for State Services. After a brief period as Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Rann became Leader of the Opposition in late 1994.

In his first term as Premier, he held the portfolio of Minister for Volunteers; but in the second he was appointed, at his behest, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change - the first such appointment in Australia.

Mr Rann was born in Sidcup, Kent, in 1953. His grandfather was a London dustman and his father an electrician who fought at El Alamein.

His mother worked in an armaments factory during World War II, making parts for Spitfires.

In 1962, his family left London for New Zealand.

He was the first in his family to go on to higher education, and he completed a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Honours) in Political Studies at Auckland University. While at university, he was editor of the student newspaper and prominent in the New Zealand campaign against French nuclear testing in the Pacific.

After graduating, he became a political journalist for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, before moving to South Australia in 1977 to become a press secretary, speech writer and adviser to three South Australian Labor Premiers, including the late Don Dunstan.

Mr Rann is married to Sasha Carruozzo. He has two children, and is involved in soccer and the arts.

The Hon. Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia and Minister for Economic Development.

The Hon. Kevin Foley, Deputy Premier of South Australia

Kevin Foley holds office as Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, and Minister for Federal/State Relations.

He was appointed to the Rann Labor Ministry on 6 March 2002 and was re-appointed following the election in March 2006.

In the first term of the Rann Labor Government, Kevin also held the portfolio of Minister for Police.

Kevin holds the seat of Port Adelaide in the House of Assembly.  He was first elected to the South Australian Parliament in 1993, and served in a number of Shadow Ministerial portfolios before being appointed Shadow Treasurer in 1996. With his policy focus on economic and financial issues, Kevin also served on Parliament’s Economic and Finance and Industries Development Committees.

Before election to Parliament, Kevin was Chief of Staff to the Premier of South Australia, Hon Lynn Arnold. He had worked previously as Senior Adviser on Mr Arnold’s Ministerial staff for some five years.

Kevin’s prior employment included experience with the Australian Trade Commission, Cadbury Schweppes, Boral Limited and a ten-year career in sales and marketing with Australian National Industries, a major steel distribution company in Australia. 

Kevin enjoys reading, water sports and golf, and is a keen observer of his two young sons’ sporting activities.

The Hon. Kevin Foley, Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry and Trade.

The Hon. Karlene Maywald, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade

Karlene Maywald was sworn in as a State Government Minister on 23rd July 2004.  As Minister for the River Murray, Regional Development, Small Business and Consumer Affairs, Science and Information Economy.  Karlene brings a significant wealth of experience of regional and rural affairs to the Cabinet table. 

In relation to the River Murray, Karlene is concerned about the sustainable use of water from the River Murray.  Sustainable use of water makes good economic, social and environmental sense.  Issues Karlene has been driving include ways of improving the management of river water in South Australia, managing salinity and of course, returning additional water to the river for environmental flows.

Karlene has a strong interest in regional affairs, recognising the valuable contribution that regional and rural areas make to the well-being of the State.  She is keen to work in partnership with the regions to develop strong and growing economies and healthy communities.  As a former small business operator (in a family business), Karlene understands the diverse views of small business across South Australia, in particular, small business in the regions.

Karlene is the South Australian Member for the seat of Chaffey, which encompasses the Riverland & Northern Mallee regions, of South Australia.  Since becoming a Member of Parliament, Karlene has held the position of South Australian Leader of The Nationals.

Following the SA election on 18 March 2006 Karlene was reappointed to Cabinet with the following portfolio’s – Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Science and Information Economy (now Hon. Paul Caica MP) and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade.

Premier Mike Rann announced the appointment of Karlene Maywald to the new portfolio of Minister for Water Security on 6th February 2007. 

“With South Australia facing a serious water crisis, Karlene will take responsibility for Water Security, including SA Water, complementing her current management of the River Murray,” Premier Mike Rann said.

“It makes sense given the current national water crisis and debate and the challenges we face in South Australia to bring together ministerial responsibility for both the River Murray and SA Water.

The Hon. Karlene Maywald, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business and Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade.

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