The Limestone Coast will be well represented in the new Labor Malinauskas government, with the inclusion of two well-known local faces.

Port MacDonnell’s Clare Scriven MLC has been appointed Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development and Minister for Forest Industries, while former Mount Gambier resident Kyam Maher is the state’s new Attorney General and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector.

Ms Scriven has been a member of the South Australian Legislative Council since 2018, being announced as Deputy Leader in the Legislative Council as well as Shadow Minister for Forestry and Shadow Minister for Industry and Skills, and later acquiring the Primary Industries and Regional Development portfolio.

She was raised in Mount Gambier and lives with her family in Port MacDonnell, previously working as the State Manager of the Australian Forest Products Association.

Mr Maher is the first initiated Aboriginal person to hold the position of Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

He grew up in Mount Gambier and attended Grant High School before moving to Adelaide to study law and economics, practising law with the Crown Solicitor’s Office before moving to politics.

Meanwhile, Liberal Party insiders expect re-elected MacKillop MP Nick McBride to be elevated to the shadow ministry and allocated such a plum portfolio as primary industries.

The same sources anticipate he is unlikely to win a leadership ballot given his alignment with the minority conservative faction.

It is thought the Liberal Party leadership spoils will be shared between city MPs Vince Tarzia and David Speirs as they would command cross-factional support.

A party room meeting to decide the leadership is anticipated within a week.

Mr McBride was the best-performing of the 47 Liberals in the House of Assembly at the March 19 election.

With counting of pre-poll and postal votes still under way, the latest figures show Mr McBride’s primary vote at over 62%.