17 Facts About Susan Close

Susan Elizabeth Close is an Australian politician, who is currently the deputy premier of South Australia since March 2022.

Susan Close holds the ministerial portfolios of Minister for Climate, Environment and Water ; Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science; and Minister for Defence and Space Industries.

Susan Close was first elected to the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Port Adelaide at the 2012 by-election, and held Cabinet portfolios in the Weatherill Ministry from 2014 to 2018.

Susan Close earned a PhD in political science at Flinders University where she had studied French, Italian and biology as well as politics in her BA.

Susan Close was active in the environment movement during her university years, including roles with Greenpeace, the Wilderness Society SA and the SA Conservation Council.

Susan Close participated in the establishment of both the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and International Bird Sanctuary in the Port River estuary.

Susan Close worked as a public servant from 2003 to 2011, largely in the Department for Environment and Heritage.

Susan Close previously was the head of student services at the University of Adelaide.

Susan Close retained the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Port Adelaide for Labor at the 2012 by-election with a 42.3 per cent primary and a 52.9 per cent two-candidate-preferred vote.

Susan Close was re-elected with two-party-preferred votes above 60 per cent at the 2014 election and the 2018 election.

Susan Close has chaired two parliamentary committees: Sustainable Farming Practices, and Dogs and Cats as Companion Animals.

Susan Close introduced a private members bill for equal marriage in 2013 but was unsuccessful.

Susan Close entered the Weatherill Ministry in March 2014, initially as the Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade and the Minister for the Public Sector.

Susan Close was the Minister for Education and Child Development from 2015 to 2018, and the Minister for Higher Education and Skills from 2016 to 2018.

Susan Close is the Labor spokesperson for Climate Change, Environment and Water, Higher Education and Industry.

Susan Close holds adjunct professorships with both Flinders University in the College of Business, Government and Law, and the University of South Australia.

Susan Close was further sworn in as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and Minister for Defence and Space Industries on 24 March 2022, and her Environment and Water portfolio becoming the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.