# Kyam Maher

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Australian politician

The Honourable Kyam Maher MLC Official portrait, 2018 Deputy Premier of South Australia Incumbent Assumed office 19 September 2025 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Susan Close 51st Attorney-General of South Australia Incumbent Assumed office 24 March 2022 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Vickie Chapman Minister for the Arts Incumbent Assumed office 26 March 2026 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Andrea Michaels Minister for Industrial Relations Incumbent Assumed office 26 March 2026 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Himself (as Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) Special Minister of State Incumbent Assumed office 29 January 2025 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Dan Cregan Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector In office 24 March 2022 – 26 March 2025 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by John Rau (2018) Succeeded by Himself (as Minister for Industrial Relations) Tom Koutsantonis (as Minister for Public Sector Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Incumbent Assumed office 24 March 2022 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Steven Marshall In office 3 February 2015 – 18 March 2018 (2018-03-18) Premier Jay Weatherill Preceded by Ian Hunter Succeeded by Steven Marshall (as Premier) Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council Incumbent Assumed office 24 March 2022 Premier Peter Malinauskas Preceded by Rob Lucas In office 18 January 2016 – 18 March 2018 Premier Jay Weatherill Preceded by Gail Gago Succeeded by Rob Lucas Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation Minister for Automotive Transformation In office 3 February 2015 – 18 March 2018 (2018-03-18) Premier Jay Weatherill Preceded by Susan Close Succeeded by David Pisoni (as Minister for Industry and Skills) Member of the South Australian Legislative Council Incumbent Assumed office 17 October 2012 Preceded by Bob Sneath Personal details Born Kyam Joseph Maher Littlehampton, South Australia Party Australian Labor Party (SA) Spouse Carmel Maher Alma mater University of Adelaide Occupation Lawyer

**Kyam Joseph Maher** is an Australian politician and lawyer who has been [Deputy Premier of South Australia](/source/Deputy_Premier_of_South_Australia) since 19 September 2025. He has also been [Attorney-General of South Australia](/source/Attorney-General_of_South_Australia), Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, and the [Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council](/source/Leader_of_the_Government_in_the_Legislative_Council_(South_Australia)) since March 2022, and continues to hold these roles after promotion to deputy premier in the September 2025 Cabinet reshuffle. He is also Special Minister of State (holding responsibility for electoral services) since January 2025. Maher is the first ever [Indigenous Australian](/source/Indigenous_Australian) person to serve as Attorney-General, and also the first as Deputy Premier in [South Australia](/source/South_Australia).

He was appointed to a [casual vacancy](/source/Casual_vacancy) in the [South Australian Legislative Council](/source/South_Australian_Legislative_Council) for the [South Australian Branch of the Australian Labor Party](/source/Australian_Labor_Party_(South_Australian_Branch)) on 17 October 2012. He previously served in the [Cabinet of South Australia](/source/Cabinet_of_South_Australia) between 2015 and 2018 and was the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council between 2016 and 2018.

## Early life and education

Kyam Joseph Maher[1] is of [Aboriginal Tasmanian](/source/Aboriginal_Tasmanian) descent.[2]

He spent his early years in [Littlehampton](/source/Littlehampton%2C_South_Australia), a small country town in the [Adelaide Hills](/source/Adelaide_Hills), before moving to [Mount Gambier](/source/Mount_Gambier%2C_South_Australia), where he attended [Grant High School](/source/Grant_High_School_(Mount_Gambier)).[1] He left Mount Gambier to study law and economics at the [University of Adelaide](/source/University_of_Adelaide), where he earned degrees in both subjects.[1]

Maher does not consider that he experienced the disadvantage and [racism](/source/Racism_in_Australia) that is common for many [Aboriginal people in Australia](/source/Aboriginal_Australians).[3]

## Career

Maher practised as a lawyer in the [Crown Solicitor's Office](/source/Crown_Solicitor_of_South_Australia) in South Australia.[1] When Labor won the [2002 state election](/source/2002_South_Australian_state_election), Maher was appointed [Chief of Staff](/source/Chief_of_staff) to [Terry Roberts](/source/Terry_Roberts_(politician)), Minister for three portfolios: Regional Affairs, Aboriginal Affairs and Correctional Services.[1]

He later became South Australian state secretary of the Australian Labor Party.[4][1]

In 2006, he was an inaugural committee member of the Progressive Labour Education Association Inc (PLEA), a joint-venture training organisation operated by the ALP [Socialist Left faction](/source/Socialist_Left_(Australia)) and aligned unions [United Voice](/source/United_Voice) (then the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union) and the [Australian Services Union](/source/Australian_Services_Union).[5]

Maher was appointed to the [South Australian Legislative Council](/source/South_Australian_Legislative_Council) in 2012 to replace outgoing MLC [Bob Sneath](/source/Bob_Sneath). Maher was re-elected from fourth position on the Labor ticket at the [2014 election](/source/2014_South_Australian_state_election),[6] and was appointed [parliamentary secretary](/source/Parliamentary_secretary) to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.[1]

In February 2015 he was appointed to [cabinet](/source/Cabinet_of_South_Australia) and, between 2015 and the [2018 state election](/source/2018_South_Australian_state_election), Maher served as minister in the Labor [Weatherill Ministry](/source/Weatherill_Ministry) in a range of portfolios including manufacturing and innovation, automotive transformation, Aboriginal affairs and reconciliation;[7] and employment and science and information economy.[8] Maher was the first [Aboriginal](/source/Aboriginal_Australians) South Australian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.[9]

On 18 January 2016 Maher was appointed as the [Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council](/source/Leader_of_the_Government_in_the_Legislative_Council_(South_Australia)) in the Weatherill government.[10]

After Labor won government at the [2022 state election](/source/2022_South_Australian_state_election), Maher was appointed [Attorney-General](/source/Attorney-General_of_South_Australia) in the [Malinauskas ministry](/source/Malinauskas_ministry) on 24 March, as well as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector.[11][12] He also became Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council for the second time. Maher was the first Aboriginal man in the nation's history to be appointed Attorney-General.[13][2]

In his role as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, he presided over reforms which saw South Australia become the first state in Australia to commence [Treaty negotiations with Aboriginal nations](/source/Indigenous_treaties_in_Australia) and implementing a [Stolen Generations](/source/Stolen_Generations) reparations scheme.[14]

In a [Cabinet reshuffle](/source/Cabinet_reshuffle) on 29 January 2025, Maher was appointed Special Minister of State, making him also responsible for Parliamentary resources, including Electorate Services.[15][16]

Following Deputy Premier [Susan Close](/source/Susan_Close)'s decision to step down from politics, on 19 September 2025, Maher was elected by the party to be its deputy leader and he became [the state's Deputy Premier](/source/Deputy_Premier_of_South_Australia), in addition to his existing ministerial roles as Attorney-General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.[17][18] He is the first [Indigenous Australian](/source/Indigenous_Australian) person to serve as Deputy Premier in the [history of South Australia](/source/History_of_South_Australia).[19] As of September 2025[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kyam_Maher&action=edit) he is also Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector, and Special Minister of State.[1][14]

## Personal life

Maher married Carmel, and they have three boys.[1] Maher also has a fondness for [sausage rolls](/source/Sausage_roll).[20]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-parlsep2025_1-8) ["Hon Kyam Maher"](https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4697). *[Parliament of South Australia](/source/Parliament_of_South_Australia)*. September 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250929080153/https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4697) from the original on 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Smith_2022_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Smith_2022_2-1) Smith, Douglas (25 March 2022). ["Meet Kyam Maher, South Australia's first Aboriginal Attorney-General"](https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/meet-kyam-maher-south-australias-first-aboriginal-attorney-general/j9nepw5s2). *[NITV](/source/NITV)*. Retrieved 19 January 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Dowdell, Andrew (13 May 2017). ["Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Minister Kyam Maher starting to reconnect with indigenous heritage"](https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/aboriginal-affairs-and-reconciliation-minister-kyam-maher-starting-to-reconnect-with-indigenous-heritage/news-story/cfe52950a91e8bf4bb5ffc79eee94e3c). *Sunday Mail*. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Harmsen, Nick (2 October 2012). ["ALP secretary set for seat in Parliament"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-02/alp-secretary-set-for-seat-in-parliament/4290410). *ABC News*. [ABC](/source/ABC_(Australia)).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["What is the Progressive Labour Education Association (PLEA)?"](https://www.plus.org.au/plea/). *Progressive Left Unions and Sub-Branches (PLUS)*. Retrieved 7 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Green, Antony (15 March 2014). ["South Australia Election 2014 Results"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/sa/2014/results). *ABC News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250929082506/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/sa/2014/results) from the original on 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ministry_7-0)** ["SA ministry reshuffle: Rau gets child protection task, Kyam Maher moved into Cabinet, Katrine Hildyard elevated"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-03/maher-joins-sa-cabinet-rau-gets-child-protection/6064820). ABC News. 3 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Cabinet of South Australia: Premier.sa.gov.au](http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/ministers) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150921063339/http://www.premier.sa.gov.au/index.php/ministers) 21 September 2015 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Kyam Maher, the first South Australian Aboriginal government minister for Aboriginal affairs during 2015-18"](https://adelaideaz.com/articles/kyam-maher--first-south-australian-government-aboriginal-affairs-minister-discovers-aboriginality). *AdelaideAZ*. Retrieved 5 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Reshuffle, Peter Malinauskas and Leesa Vlahos join Jay Weatherill's Cabinet"](http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/reshuffle-peter-malinauskas-and-leesa-vlahos-join-jay-weatherills-cabinet/news-story/65ebd68df6c3acde8414c0af5ac01fed). *The Advertiser*. 18 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Richards, Stephanie (24 March 2022). ["Brock's back: Independent among new faces in 'diverse' Labor cabinet"](https://indaily.com.au/news/2022/03/24/brocks-back-independent-among-new-faces-in-diverse-labor-cabinet/). *In Daily*. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Harmsen, Nick; Dayman, Isabel (24 March 2022). ["New South Australian cabinet sworn in, with independent Geoff Brock making surprise comeback"](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-24/independent-former-minister-joins-new-south-australian-cabinet/100935424). ABC News. Retrieved 25 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["New SA Premier names new cabinet with women and Independents coming out on top"](https://www.9news.com.au/national/south-australia-politics-new-sa-premier-names-his-new-cabinet/4aa96c37-861b-4b4f-9150-47bc526183a7). 9News. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-premier_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-premier_14-1) ["Kyam Maher MLC"](https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/the-team/kyam-maher-mlc). *Premier of South Australia*. 19 September 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250929084203/https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/the-team/kyam-maher-mlc) from the original on 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Improving outcomes for Autistic South Australians a focus of the new Ministry"](https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/improving-outcomes-for-autistic-south-australians-a-focus-of-the-new-ministry). *Premier of South Australia*. 29 January 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250929085647/https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/improving-outcomes-for-autistic-south-australians-a-focus-of-the-new-ministry) from the original on 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Our ministers"](https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/about/our-ministers). *Department of Treasury and Finance*. 19 September 2025. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250910104621/https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/about/our-ministers) from the original on 10 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Brennan, Dechlan (19 September 2025). ["Kyam Maher named South Australia's new Deputy Premier"](https://nit.com.au/19-09-2025/20345/kyam-maher-named-south-australias-new-deputy-premier). *[National Indigenous Times](/source/National_Indigenous_Times)*. Retrieved 19 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-record2025_18-0)** Malinauskas, Peter (19 September 2025). ["Record number of women in new Ministry"](https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/record-number-of-women-in-new-ministry). *[Premier of South Australia](/source/Premier_of_South_Australia)*. Retrieved 29 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-simmons2025_19-0)** Simmons, David (19 September 2025). ["Veteran Labor Minister named Treasurer after shock Cabinet resignations"](https://www.indailysa.com.au/news/just-in/2025/09/19/attorney-general-lands-new-role-after-labor-pre-election-bombshell). *[InDaily](/source/InDaily)*. Retrieved 29 September 2025. updated Sep 22, 2025

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Government of South Australia (2025). ["Kyam Maher MLC"](https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/the-team/kyam-maher-mlc).

## External links

- ["Maher, Kyam"](https://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Search/Member?type=member&id=4697). *Members of the [Parliament of South Australia](/source/Parliament_of_South_Australia)*.

- [Hon. Kyam Maher](https://www.sa.alp.org.au/members/hon-kyam-maher) on the SA Labor website

Parliament of South Australia Preceded by Bob Sneath Member of the South Australian Legislative Council 2012–present Served alongside: Multiple Members Incumbent Political offices Preceded by Susan Close Minister for Manufacturing and Innovation 2015–2018 Succeeded by David Pisoni as Minister for Industry and Skills Minister for Automotive Transformation 2015–2018 Preceded by Ian Hunter Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation 2015–2018 Succeeded by Steven Marshall as Premier of South Australia Preceded by Gail Gago Leader of the Government in the South Australian Legislative Council 2016–2018 Succeeded by Rob Lucas Minister for Science and Information Economy 2016–2018 Succeeded by David Ridgway as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Preceded by Gail Gago as Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister for Employment 2016–2018 Preceded by Vickie Chapman Attorney-General of South Australia 2022–present Incumbent Preceded by Rob Lucas Leader of the Government in the South Australian Legislative Council 2022–present

v t e Current members of the Cabinet of South Australia Bettison Bourke Boyer Champion Cook Hildyard Hood Koutsantonis Maher Malinauskas (Premier) Michaels Pearce Picton Scriven Szakacs

v t e Current deputy premiers and deputy chief ministers of the states and territories of Australia States New South Wales Queensland South Australia Prue Car (ALP) Jarrod Bleijie (LNP) Kyam Maher (ALP) Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Guy Barnett (Lib) Ben Carroll (ALP) Rita Saffioti (ALP) Self-governing territories Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory Yvette Berry (ALP) Gerard Maley (CLP)

v t e Current Australian attorneys-general (federal, states and internal territories) Federal States Internal territories Australia New South Wales Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australia Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory Michelle Rowland (ALP) Michael Daley (ALP) Deb Frecklington (LNP) Kyam Maher (ALP) Guy Barnett (Lib) Sonya Kilkenny (ALP) Tony Buti (ALP) Tara Cheyne (ALP) Marie-Clare Boothby (CLP)

v t e Current members of the South Australian Legislative Council Labor (10) Emily Bourke Mira El Dannawi Hilton Gumbys Justin Hanson Ian Hunter Kyam Maher Reggie Martin Tung Ngo Clare Scriven Russell Wortley Liberal (6) Nicola Centofanti Heidi Girolamo Laura Henderson Ben Hood Dennis Hood Michelle Lensink One Nation (3) Cory Bernardi Carlos Quaremba Rebecca Hewett Greens (2) Robert Simms Melanie Selwood Fair Go (1) Sarah Game

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kyam Maher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyam_Maher) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyam_Maher?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.