South Australia's Attorney-General Kyam Maher has been appointed the state's new deputy premier following the shock resignation of two senior ministers.
Mr Maher replaces Susan Close, who, along with Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, announced on Thursday they would quit politics.
At an emotional press conference, Premier Peter Malinauskas confirmed the departures of his deputy and treasurer. A media release later announced Labor's caucus had elected Mr Maher as deputy leader.
He was sworn in on Friday morning.
In a statement, Mr Maher said he was "deeply honoured" to be appointed Deputy Premier.
"Since 2022, I have been proud to be a part of the leadership team of this Labor Government that is firmly focused on delivering for all South Australians," he said.
"I am honoured to be able to work alongside Premier Peter Malinauskas and the Labor team as Deputy Premier."
Mr Maher, the Attorney-General and Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, became the first known Aboriginal person to be appointed Attorney-General in Australia when the Malinauskas government was elected in 2022.
He paid tribute to Ms Close, saying he had "come to trust her completely and rely on her enormously" and noting she leaves a "remarkable legacy".
"All the really important stuff I've done in Parliament — Voluntary Assisted Dying, First Nations Voice to Parliament — Susan has taken over in the Lower House," he said.
"But, it's outside Parliament that she's really mattered. Thousands of kilometres in the car with all the country music between remote Aboriginal communities, laughing at each other, being there to celebrate, and being the one person in Parliament I can really be vulnerable in front of."
Appointed to the Legislative Council in 2012 to replace outgoing MLC Bob Sneath, Mr Maher entered cabinet in 2015, serving in multiple portfolios under the Weatherill government.
His appointment as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs made him the first Aboriginal South Australian minister to hold that role.
In 2023, he led the passage of legislation establishing South Australia's First Nations Voice to Parliament.
