Arabic version: تعيين غرانت ستيفنز حاكماً جديداً لجنوب أستراليا

According to ABC News, South Australia Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has been appointed the state’s next governor, succeeding Frances Adamson when her five-year term expires. Premier Peter Malinauskas said King Charles III had confirmed the appointment after he recommended Stevens as the 37th governor of South Australia.

Stevens, 62, will be sworn in on Wednesday, December 9. The state government described the appointment as acknowledgement of his deep commitment to the public and the respect and trust he had earned across the state. He has served as police commissioner since 2015 and was the state coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stevens joined the police force in 1982 and said he was excited and deeply honoured when first approached about the position. He will formally leave the commissioner’s role on October 23, with Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams to become acting police commissioner. Stevens said the choice of a permanent successor would be a matter for the government.

Before beginning as governor, Stevens said he would step down from the board of the Adelaide Football Club and as chair of the Operation Flinders Foundation. He identified road safety as a priority for his tenure, citing the state’s target to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries. His wife, Emma, said the role would bring “lots to do, lots of people to see, places to go.”