SA’s former deputy premier lands new national role
One of the Premier’s top confidantes has been appointed to a key national role by the federal Science and Industry Minister.
Former South Australian Labor politician Dr Susan Close has been appointed to the board of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, where she will provide governance and budget planning expertise.
Close told InDaily she was “honoured to have been appointed to the board of Australia’s premier science research organisation”, having resigned from state politics and as Deputy Premier late last year.
“As a former minister for science in two governments I recognise the essential role of science to the strength of our economy and the solution of many challenges facing us all,” Close said.
“I was privileged to be a member of parliament for 14 years, 12 as a front bencher, eight as deputy leader.
“I want to use the expertise and insight I gained in that time to support the quality of politics and decision making in Australia.”
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Close served as Deputy Leader of the South Australian Labor Party for seven and a half years and Deputy Premier for three and a half years, working closely with Premier Peter Malinauskas throughout.
Close held senior front bench portfolios including Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science from March 2022 until she announced her resignation in September 2025.
“I want to do something else. I want to have some freedom, and I feel I’ve given what I can to public life,” Close said in 2025.
“Life is really short. I have been watching my mother disappear into dementia over the last four years, and it was for me an alarm bell reminding me that life is finite and it’s precious and it is way shorter than you think when you’re young.”
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She was first elected in 2012 to the seat of Port Adelaide where she served several ministerial roles for the Weatherill Government including Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade, Minister for Education and Child Development, and Minister for Higher Education.
In her tenure, she delivered new STEM facilities for public schools, banned puppy farms, tripled the RSPCA’s funding, and provided significant policy reform to the Climate Change legislation.
More recently, Close landed the role of chief executive officer for the McKinnon Institute for Political Leadership in early 2026, tasked with delivering evidence-based leadership education to support governments and ministers.
Close is amongst esteemed company, with former co-CEO of engineering firm Arup Australia Kerryn Coker also appointed to the CSIRO board.
Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Ayres also announced the appointment Professor Helen Garnett to the board of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
The three appointments were expected to support CSIRO and ANSTO to assist with urgent national challenges in critical minerals processing, industrial decarbonisation and renewable energy manufacturing.
Ayres said he looked forward to working with the three to “strengthen Australia’s research and development system”.
“I’m delighted that three outstanding Australian leaders in industry and engineering, public sector administration and research have been appointed to the boards of CSIRO and ANSTO,” Ayres said.
“Scientific and industrial research are crucial for making Australia stronger and leadership and governance is fundamental to ensuring our independent public science agencies stay strong, fit for purpose and focussed on Australia’s national science priorities.”
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