Seven ministers will take on new or changed responsibilities under the reshuffle prompted by last week’s resignation of independent minister Geoff Brock from Cabinet due to ill health.

Under changes announced by the Premier a short time ago, Deputy Premier Susan Close will become the minister for workforce and population strategy under a new role, to be consolidated under the department for industry, innovation and science.

Nick Champion, previously the minister for trade investment and housing and urban development, will head a new housing super portfolio to cover all aspects of housing, infrastructure, urban development and planning.

The new portfolio will include Housing SA, SA Water, Renewal SA, Plan SA, and more. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will now be led by David Reynolds, the current chief executive of the department for trade and investment.

Malinauskas said housing was at the “top of the list” of challenges being faced by the government.

Former Speaker Dan Cregan will serve as the minister for police, emergency services and correctional services, as well as special minister of state, with former Labor minister Leon Bignell taking his place in the Speaker’s chair on Friday.

Cregan, a Liberal MP turned independent, will lead a political donations reform as it is implemented across the state and oversee the Electoral Commission of South Australia.

Premier Peter Malinauskas announces his Cabinet reshuffle at Government House this morning, with Deputy Premier Susan Close, former Speaker Dan Cregan and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis taking on new responsibilities. Photo Tony Lewis/InDaily

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan will also become the minister for defence and space industries, while Human Services Minister Nat Cook adds Seniors and Ageing Well to her portfolios.

Joe Szakacs, previously the minister for police, emergency services and correctional services, will pick up trade and investment from Champion as well as local government and veterans affairs, previously held by Brock.

Transport Minister Tom Koustantonis will also take on Brock’s regional roads responsibilities.

Rhiannon Pearce will become the assistant minister for junior sport participation, working with Katrine Hildyard as the minister for sport.

Premier Peter Malinauskas with his reshuffled Cabinet at Government House on Monday. Photo: David Simmons / InDaily

Malinasukas said the state was at a “critical juncture” amid the reshuffle, saying South Australia has a “nation-leading economy, low unemployment and a huge pipeline of work coming our way”.

“The Cabinet reshuffle is designed to help us capitalise these massive opportunities,” he said.