Chris is the South Australian Minister for State Development, and a member of State Parliament from the southern suburbs of Adelaide.

His portfolio responsibilities encompass trade, industry, investment, defence and space industries, artificial intelligence, information economy, innovation, science and veterans.

Chris previously served for four years as Minister for Health and Wellbeing, overseeing the opening of over 500 hospital beds, the recruitment of thousands of doctors and nurses. He also oversaw a $4 billion capital investment program, reforms to refocus on health prevention, and chaired the national Health Ministers Meeting.

Chris also previously served as South Australian Police Minister, Assistant Minister to the Treasurer, as Chief of Staff for the Federal Attorney-General, and as an Associate Director at Deloitte Access Economics.

He was educated at public schools in Adelaide and graduated from law at Flinders University.

Chris and his wife are the lucky parents of three young kids. When he has free time Chris enjoys running, spending time with his family at the beach and barracking for the Adelaide Crows.

Proudly hosted by the Andy Thomas Space Foundation, profits from the Australian Space Forum support the Foundation’s annual space education fund and student engagement programs to inspire the next generation of pioneers in Australian space.