Agent-General for South Australia

Agent-General for South Austraila
Coat of Arms of South Australia
Flag of South Australia
Incumbent David Ridgway since 19 July 2021
Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Status	Quasi-diplomatic representative
Reports to	Premier of South Australia
Seat	Australia Centre, High Commission of Australia, London
Nominator	Premier of South Australia
Appointer	Governor of South Australia
Term length	Not exceeding five years
Constituting instrument	Agent-General Act, 1901 (SA)
Precursor	The Agent-Generals Act, 1889 (SA)
Formation	1856
First holder	G. S. Walters
Salary	$556,000 (2023/24)
Website	Agent-General's Website

The Agent-General for South Australia is the official representative of the State of South Australia to the United Kingdom. The position is a quasi-diplomatic representative responsible for representing the State to the Crown and promoting South Australia's trade and economic interests in the United Kingdom and Europe. ^{[1] [2]} In 1858, South Australia was the first Australian colonial government to appoint an Agent-General. ^{[3] [4]}

History

Pre-Responsible government in 1857

Before responsible government was achieved in the Province of South Australia in 1857, the Province was represented in the United Kingdom by the Colonial Agent Edward Barnard. ^[5]

Barnard was appointed by the British Secretary of State for the Colonies to work within the Office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies; this meant that Barnard was not appointed or paid by the Province, and in addition, Barnard was the representative of various other colonial governments around the world, particularly in Australia. ^{[5] [3]}

The growing dissatisfaction with the ability of the appointed Agent and the conflict with their role representing multiple governments, coupled with the Province obtaining response government, brought calls by the Parliament for South Australia to appoint its representative to the Crown and Empire one responsible government had been achieved. ^{[3] [4] [6]}

Post-Responsible government in 1857

In June 1856, the Constitution Act 1856 (SA) was granted Royal Assent, which established responsible government in the Province, allowing for democratic self-governance.

This allowed the Province to dispense with the Barnard and the Office of the Crown Agents for the Colonies so that an appropriate representative could be appointed by the Provincial government that could better serve the interests of South Australia with both the Crown and the greater British Empire. ^{[4] [6]}

Planning the new role

In 1856, the Provincial government sought applications for the role of new Agent-General for South Australia, with 27 applications being received from various people. ^[7] However, the role was not immediately filled because a Parliamentary Select Committee was appointed in 1856 to investigate the future purpose of the role; however, at the expiry of the Parliamentary session, the committee was dissolved and not reinstated. ^[8] However, the Parliament generally agreed that someone should fill the role with the sole interest of representing the Province, rather than a representative of multiple governments. ^[9]

Appointment of the first Agent-General

In May 1858, it was announced that the role had been offered and accepted by Charles Seale Walters. In September 1859, Walters' appointment was confirmed by the government in September 1858 by the Chief Secretary, and instructions on the role were tabled in the Parliament; Walters was set to take his post in London in early 1859, and Barnard would continue to represent the Province in London until this time. ^{[10] [11]}

South Australia was the first Australian colonial government to appoint an Agent-General, with Gregory Seale Walters taking the post in January 1859. ^[12]

In 1889, the Parliament of South Australia passed The Agent-Generals Act, 1889 (SA), creating the post of Agent-General as a statutory body, setting the salary and tenure length of the position and directing the position would report to, and be directed by, the Treasurer of South Australia to perform their duties "the interests of the province".

Post-federation in 1901

On 1 January 1901, as part of the Federation of Australia, the Province became the State of South Australia; however, it maintained its Agent-General in London and passed updated legislation to guide the role Agent-General Act, 1901 (SA). South Australia continues to maintain its Agent-General in London with the current Agent-General being former South Australian Minister for Industry and Trade, David Ridgway. ^[13]

Modern role

Whilst the national interests of Australia are now represented by the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, South Australia maintains the role of Agent-General to: ^[14]

• Encourage European companies to invest in South Australia;
• Seek opportunities and provide support for the export of South Australian products and services to Europe;
• Assist South Australian investors seeking investment opportunities in Europe;
• Encourage people to move to South Australia under the Skilled and Business Migration Schemes;
• Assist the State's Tourism Commission in attracting tourists to South Australia.

The Office of the Agent-General also assists in the: ^[14]

• Promotion of South Australia, particularly in investment attraction, trade development and as a destination for business migrants and European tourists;
• Support and assistance to Ministers and government officials visiting the region;
• Work with South Australian businesses, industry associations and other agencies in establishing contacts in Europe to increase trade, financial and commercial activities of benefit to the State of South Australia; and
• Providing assistance in planning and preparing trade and investment missions from Europe to South Australia.

In 2015, the then Agent-General and advertising executive, Bill Muirhead established the South Australia Club in London as a means for South Australian expats and businesses to network with British and European businesses to leverage South Australia's trade and tourism opportunities. ^[15] Since 2015, the club has grown across many countries around the world; with hopes of expanding further in the future. ^[16]

Diplomatic and legal status

Status in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, Agents-General (and their Staff) are granted the same Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities held under international law by virtue of the "Consular Relations Act 1968", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1978 c. 30, this privilege is granted under "The Commonwealth Countries and Republic of Ireland (Immunities and Privileges) Order 1985", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1985/1983, these privileges including the right to freedom from arrest and exemption of duties and taxes.

Status in Australian and international law

Under international and Australian federal law, however, Agents-general have no diplomatic or legal status, privileges or immunities under international or Australian Federal laws but are generally granted the privilege of an Australian Diplomatic or Official Passport during their commission. ^{[17] [18]}

Agents-General for South Australia

British appointed

Order	Agent-General	Portrait	Term commence	Term end	Notes
1	Edward Barnard		Unknown	About January 1859 [11]	Appointed by the British Government

South Australian government appointed

Order	Agent-General	Portrait	Term commence	Term end	Notes
1	Gregory Seale Walters		About September 1858 [11]	21 September 1865 [19] [20]	First appointment
2	Francis Dutton		21 September 1865 (1865-09-21) [20] [21]	25 January 1877 (1877-01-25) [22]	Died in office
3	Arthur Blyth		21 February 1877 (1877-02-21) [22]	7 December 1891 (1891-12-07)	Died in office
4	John Bray		6 January 1892 (1892-01-06) [23]	2 June 1894 (1894-06-02) [24]	First under 1889 Act
5	Thomas Playford		2 June 1894 (1894-06-02) [24]	1 June 1898 (1898-06-01) [25]
6	John Cockburn		1 June 1898 (1898-06-01) [25]	29 May 1901 (1901-05-29) [26]
7	Henry Grainger		29 May 1901 [26] (as State Agent) 9 April 1902 [27] (as Agent-General)	15 July 1905 (1905-07-15)	First under 1901 Act, First since Federation
8	John Jenkins		15 July 1905 (1905-07-15) [28]	27 March 1909
9	Andrew Kirkpatrick		27 March 1909 (1909-03-27) [29]	14 May 1914
10	John Beeby Whiting		14 May 1914 [30]	21 January 1915	Acting
11	Frederick Young		21 January 1915 [31]	21 April 1918
12	Edward Lucas		21 April 1918 [32]	22 April 1925
13	John Price		22 April 1925 [33]	22 April 1929
14	Henry Barwell		22 April 1929 [34]	22 April 1933
15	Lionel Hill		22 April 1933 [35]	21 September 1934 [36] [37]
16	Charles McCann		21 September 1934 [37]	10 July 1958
17	Alfred Greenham		10 July 1958 [38]	21 March 1961
18	Malcolm Pearce		21 March 1961 [39]	26 August 1965
19	Lance Milne		26 August 1965 [40]	21 March 1971
20	Raymond Taylor		21 March 1971 [41]	1 October 1980
21	John Rundle		1 October 1980 [42]	1 June 1986
22	Geoffrey Walls		1 June 1986 [43]	19 January 1998
23	Maurice de Rohan		19 January 1998 [44]	5 October 2006 [45]	Died in office
24	Bill Muirhead		26 March 2007 [46]	19 July 2021
26	David Ridgway		19 July 2021 [47] [48]	incumbent

See also

• Agent-General
• Agent-General for New South Wales
• Crown Agent
• Colonial agent

References

1. Agent-General Act 1901. Crown in right of the State of South Australia. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
2. "UK and Europe". Department of State Development. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
3. Torrens, Mr (27 August 1857). "Answer to Question". Adelaide Times / Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
4. Lack, Clem Llewellyn (1965). "Colonial representation in the nineteenth century : pro-consuls of empire and some Australian Agents-General" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland: 478. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
5. "Business of the Parliament". Adelaide Observer. 11 September 1858. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
6. "The Agent-General". South Australian Register. 15 November 1855. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
7. "Parliamentary Papers - Schedule of Names of Persons who have applied for the situation of Agent-General". Adelaide Observer / Parliament of South Australia. 18 October 1857. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
8. "Parliamentary Proceedings". Adelaide Times / Parliament of South Australia. 27 August 1857. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
9. "Parliamentary Proceedings". Adelaide Observer / Parliament of South Australia. 12 September 1857. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
10. "Answers to Questions - Agent General". The South Australian Advertiser. 1 September 1859. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
11. "Parliamentary Proceedings - The Agent-General". The South Australian Advertiser / Parliament of South Australia. 24 September 1858. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
12. Crown Agents for the Colonies (PDF). Parliament of Tasmania - House of Assembly. 24 July 1883. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
13. "Office of the Agent General South Australia". South Australia Club International. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
14. "Our Role and Function". Agent-General for South Australia. Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
15. "Club History". South Australia Club International. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
16. "About the Club". South Australia Club International. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
17. Opeskin, Brian (1994). "The Role of Government in the Conduct of Australia's Foreign Affairs" (PDF). Australian Year Book of International Law Online. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
18. "Passport Policy". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
19. "South Australia". Cornwall Chronicle. 26 August 1865. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
20. "Gazette No. 40" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 847. 21 September 1865. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
21. "Gazette No. 54" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette. 5 December 1872.
22. "Gazette No. 9" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 387. 22 February 1877. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
23. "Gazette No. 2" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 1a. 7 January 1892. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
24. "Gazette No. 24" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazettw: 1261. 7 June 1894. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
25. "Gazette No. 23" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 1147. 2 June 1898. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
26. "Gazette No. 27" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 1059. 30 May 1901. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
27. "Gazette No 18" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 854. 10 April 1902. Retrieved 12 March 2025.
28. "Gazette No. 12" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 466. 9 March 1905. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
29. "Gazette No. 16" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 613. 27 March 1909. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
30. "Gazette No. 23" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 1070. 14 May 1914. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
31. "Gazette No. 3" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 128. 21 January 1915. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
32. "Gazette No. 8" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 327. 21 February 1918. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
33. "Gazette No. 16" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 677. 16 April 1925. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
34. "Gazette No. 10" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 506. 8 March 1928. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
35. "Gazette No. 8" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 506. 8 March 1928. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
36. "Mr Hill Resigns as Agent-General". The Narracoorte Herald. 24 August 1934. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
37. "Gazette No. 38" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 374. 23 August 1934. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
38. "Gazette No. 34" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 62. 10 July 1958. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
39. "Gazette No. 53" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 1702. 22 December 1960. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
40. "Gazette No. 35" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 722. 26 August 1965. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
41. "Gazette No. 3" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 188. 21 January 1971. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
42. "Gazette No. 29" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 120. 10 July 1980. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
43. "Gazette No. 35" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 1105. 1 May 1986. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
44. "Gazette No. 2" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 5. 8 January 1998. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
45. "Governorship nominee de Rohan dies". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 October 2006. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
46. "Gazette No. 16". South Australian Government Gazette. 22 March 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
47. "Gazette No. 45" (PDF). South Australian Government Gazette: 2463. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
48. Boisvert, Eugene (1 July 2021). "Former minister David Ridgway appointed South Australia's new agent-general in London". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 18 March 2025.