The Queen's representative in South Australia is changing in notionally the most powerful role in the state.
Premier Steven Marshall made the announcement on Wednesday morning, saying:
“I am extremely honoured to announce that Frances Adamson will be South Australia’s 36th Governor.
“She is a very proud South Australian with a plethora of experience in international affairs – vitally important to South Australia as we recover from the once in a century COVID-19 pandemic.
“Her wealth of knowledge on the international stage will put South Australia in good stead as we continue to put South Australia on the global map.”
Ms Adamson will take over from the current governor His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, who has held the post since 2014:
“His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC has demonstrated exceptional service to South Australia and to South Australians over the past seven years.”
Ms Adamson will be the state's third female governor, following Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC and the late Hon. Dame Roma Mitchell AC, who was the nation's first female governor when appointed in 1991.
Ms Adamson has served as International Adviser to former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and as Australian Ambassador to China. She was Chief of Staff to Stephen Smith in the Rudd-Gillard governments in his time as Minister for Foreign Affairs and then Minister for Defence.
Labor Opposition leader Peter Malinauskas tweeted his thanks to the outgoing governor and welcome to the incoming governor: