21 Facts About Geoff Brock

Geoff Brock is an Independent member in the South Australian House of Assembly, representing the seat of Stuart since the 2022 South Australian state election.

Geoff Brock was previously the Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Local Government in the Weatherill Labor cabinet from 2014 until Labor's defeat at the 2018 election.

Geoff Brock had worked in Port Pirie's lead smelter, which was eventually acquired by Nyrstar, since arriving in the town in 1976.

Geoff Brock was first elected to the Port Pirie Regional Council in 1989, and served on numerous community committees before being elected mayor in May 2003, defeating sitting mayor Ken Madigan by 3,297 votes to 2,173.

Geoff Brock retired from Nyrstar in September 2007, and he and his second wife Lyn have 12 grandchildren between them.

Geoff Brock had a shock win at the 2009 Frome state by-election, defeating the Liberal candidate Terry Boylan.

On 23.6 percent of the primary vote and 51.7 percent of the two-candidate-preferred vote, Geoff Brock's election depended on preferences from Labor, Nationals SA, and the SA Greens, the former two having placed him second on their how-to-vote card.

Geoff Brock won the primary vote in the Port Pirie area and picked up enough National and Green preferences to overtake the Labor candidate for second place by 30 votes.

Geoff Brock then picked up enough Labor preferences to take the seat off the Liberals on a two-candidate-preferred vote of 51.7 percent, despite a slight improvement in the Liberal vote since the previous count.

At the 2010 election, Geoff Brock increased his primary vote to 37.7 percent and two-candidate vote to 57.5 percent.

At the 2014 election, Geoff Brock increased his primary vote to 45.2 percent and two-candidate vote to 58.8 percent.

Geoff Brock accepted the cabinet positions of Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Local Government in the Weatherill Ministry.

In return, Geoff Brock agreed to support the Labor government on confidence and supply while retaining the right to otherwise vote on conscience.

Geoff Brock held the ministerial portfolios until Labor lost government in the 2018 election.

Geoff Brock retained the seat of Frome with a small increase in his primary vote.

Geoff Brock opted to follow most of his base into Stuart at the 2022 election.

At the election, Geoff Brock defeated incumbent member and Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan.

Geoff Brock said he had not expected a ministerial position, and the offer by new Premier Peter Malinauskas two days before the swearing-in ceremony came as "a heck of a shock".

Geoff Brock emphasised that "he was not a Labor minister, but would vote with cabinet on decisions made by it", and Malinauskas said that Brock's independent would be "maintained and utterly respected".

Geoff Brock was one of the two regional cabinet ministers, the other being Clare Scriven.

Geoff Brock remains the member for Stuart, and announced his intention to contest the next state election in 2026.