Ministerial Statement

Governor Appointment

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:06): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL: On behalf of all members of parliament, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate Her Excellency the Hon. Frances Adamson AC on taking office as our state's 36^th Governor. As Her Excellency has already demonstrated, she will be a Governor who engages with all sections of the South Australian community, having held an open day at Government House on Sunday within three days of taking her oath of office.

Much has been said about Her Excellency's more than three decades of distinguished diplomatic service to our nation. As a state, in welcoming her home we can look forward to her drawing on her background and skills as a diplomat to be of service to South Australia not only here but nationally and internationally as well. As such, I believe she will be one of the great governors of our state.

Her Excellency is married to Mr Rod Bunten and they have four adult children. Born in the United Kingdom, Mr Bunten also has experience as a diplomat, having joined the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1984 and undertaking postings in the United States, Asia and Australia. It was while they were both posted in Hong Kong that Mr Bunten met Her Excellency.

I appreciate the wide community support there has been for the appointment of Her Excellency, including the warm sentiments expressed across the political spectrum. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said that Canberra's loss is our state's gain. In welcoming her home, I know we all look forward to the work Her Excellency is now taking up on behalf of all South Australians, continuing to benefit the rest of our nation as well.