Grant Stevens Appointed as South Australia's Next Governor

South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens has been appointed as the state's next governor, succeeding Frances Adamson whose term expires today after five years.

Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the appointment this morning, saying he had recommended Mr Stevens's appointment as the 37th governor of South Australia to King Charles III.

A Fitting Tribute

"It is the sovereign's appointment — [the governor] is the sovereign's representative in the state of South Australia," Mr Malinauskas said. "I'm very grateful that His Majesty King Charles has decided to appoint Grant."

Mr Stevens will be sworn in on Wednesday, December 9, with the state government saying the appointment was a fitting acknowledgement of his "deep commitment" to the public that had "earned the respect and trust of people across the state".

A Career of Service

The 62-year-old has served as police commissioner since 2015 and was the state coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic. He will formally step down from the commissioner's role on October 23, with Deputy Commissioner Linda Williams to assume the role in an acting capacity.

Mr Stevens — who joined the force in 1982 — said he was "excited" and "deeply honoured" when he was first approached to take on the new appointment, succeeding Ms Adamson, who is a former head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

"I don't think I can express sufficiently just how honoured I am that I have been asked to step in as the replacement for Frances Adamson," he said. "I am slightly daunted by the work ethic that [she] has demonstrated over her term."

A New Chapter

Mr Stevens acknowledged the rumour had been circulating for "quite some time, so it wasn't something that we hadn't contemplated, [wife] Emma and I".

"Both Emma and I saw this as an opportunity to continue being part of the South Australian community in a way that positively influences how South Australians live, work and enjoy what we have here," he said.

He said he had one year and nine months left on his contract as police commissioner, and that he was approached to take on the new role some time in early to mid September.

"I don't specifically remember the date but I will admit that I walked away from that meeting quite blown away. I finally figured out the rumours were true," he said with a smile. "I had no clue, no concept when I was a 17-year-old boy walking through the academy gates in 1982 that I would ever be the commissioner of police, let alone asked to step into the role of governor."

Successor and Priorities

Linda Williams will serve as acting police commissioner when Mr Stevens formally relinquishes his current role.

Asked about his own successor as police commissioner, Mr Stevens said the selection process would be a matter for the government — but spoke highly of the deputy commissioner.

"Linda has been an amazing support to me — she has acted as commissioner and she has done so admirably," he said. "Linda has demonstrated a capability in that regard, without any hesitation."

Mr Stevens said that given the significance of the new role, he would step down from his position on the board of the Adelaide Football Club and as chair of charity Operation Flinders Foundation.

Mr Stevens, whose son Charlie was killed in a hit-and-run-incident in 2023, highlighted road safety as a priority area for his upcoming tenure.

"The state has a significant target in terms of reducing fatalities and serious injuries on our road[s]," he said.

Recent Challenges

Earlier this year, South Australia's police union passed a vote of "no confidence" in the leadership of the police commissioner and his deputy, amid concerns about working conditions, organisational reform, morale and the district policing model.

Mr Stevens today said he had "never wavered from my commitment to the role".

"The vote of no confidence was back in June this year and I said at the time that I was overwhelmed by the messages of support that I received from employees from within the South Australia Police and the broader community," he said.

Mr Stevens's wife Emma shared his delight at the new role, joking there would be "lots to do, lots of people to see, places to go".

"If you're asked to be the governor, you can't say 'no' to that. To finish your career — you can't say 'no'," she said fighting back tears before being hugged by her husband.