Our Ministers

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

The Hon. Joe Szakacs MP

The Hon. Joe Szakacs MP was elected in February 2019 in a by-election held upon the retirement of the Hon. Jay Weatherill.

Joe was born at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and raised in Royal Park. He was educated at local primary and secondary schools and attended university in both Australia and the US. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Before formally entering politics, he held various roles in the trade union movement, legal practice and as a company director in the superannuation and insurance industries. Joe was elected as Secretary of SA Unions, the peak body for trade unions in South Australia, and lead the organisation for five years. During his tenure, he held national positions with the Australian Council of Trade Unions. This includes the National Executive and National Growth and Campaigns Committee.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of Statewide Super and held various positions, including Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and a member of the Investment Committee. He has participated in various global forums for workers capital and pension funds. This includes the Global Union’s Committee on Workers’ Capital and the United Nations Principals of Responsible Investment.

He has also held director roles on the boards of the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission and Return to Work SA.

Joe was a representative swimmer, competing nationally and internationally. He held multiple South Australian records and was a member of the South Australian Sports Institute. He was also a scholarship holder on the University of Missouri (USA) Swimming Team.

Contact

Visit the Premier's website for Minister Szakacs's contact details.

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Minister for Police (with responsibility for road safety)

The Hon. Michael Brown MP

The Hon. Michael Brown MP was elected as the Member for Playford in March 2018. Following an electoral redistribution, he was elected in March 2022 as the Member of Florey.

Michael was born in the northern suburbs and resides in Florey with his wife and their three daughters.
He has served on a number of Parliamentary Committees, including as the Chair of the Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence in 2023, and as a member of the Committee on the Establishment of Adelaide University. His current membership includes the Legislative Review Committee, the Public Works Committee and the Statutory Officers Committee.

Michael previously served as the Assistant Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Economy, Defence and Space Industries. He brings a broad career to his portfolio, with extensive experience in technology, law, economic development, justice and social inclusion.

Michael has been a strong advocate for the government’s approach to emerging technologies. He led strategic initiatives to advance Australia’s capabilities in AI and the digital economy, while strengthening the nation’s position in defence and space industries – critical sectors for innovation, security and economic growth.

Contact

Visit the Premier's website for Minister Brown's contact details.