On November 10, 2025, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese officially named Jay Weatherill as the nation’s next high commissioner to the United Kingdom, placing a seasoned political figure at the helm of one of Australia’s most significant diplomatic posts. Weatherill, a former premier of South Australia and a veteran of state politics, is set to take up the prestigious role in January 2026, succeeding Stephen Smith, another former Labor politician who has served as high commissioner since January 2023.
The announcement, made in Canberra, signals the government’s intent to strengthen Australia’s ties with the UK at a time marked by complex international alliances and high-stakes security agreements. According to ABC News, Prime Minister Albanese described Weatherill as “an entirely appropriate appointment,” emphasizing his credentials as a “proud South Australian” who is “well placed to take forward AUKUS in our nation's interests.” The AUKUS agreement—a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—has become a cornerstone of Australia’s foreign policy, particularly as the country prepares to build conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines in Adelaide based on British designs.
Weatherill’s appointment continues a tradition of former politicians taking up the London diplomatic post. He is the third South Australian in recent memory to serve in this capacity, following in the footsteps of Mike Rann and Alexander Downer. The choice has not been without controversy, as some critics have raised concerns about the government’s pattern of appointing political insiders to high-profile roles. Addressing these claims, Albanese brushed aside suggestions of “jobs for mates,” stating unequivocally that Weatherill’s extensive experience made him the right candidate for the job.
Weatherill’s political journey is well documented. He served as the 45th premier of South Australia from 2011 to 2018, spending a total of sixteen years in the state parliament representing Cheltenham, a Labor stronghold in Adelaide’s portside suburbs. His ascent to the premiership was notable for its defiance of factional expectations; as a member of Labor’s left faction, he took the helm after a leadership coup ousted right-faction premier Mike Rann.
Known for his consultative leadership style, Weatherill shifted the governing approach from “announce and defend” to “debate and decide,” according to former health minister John Hill, who wrote in his memoir that Weatherill “tends to provide the facts, weigh them up and provide a considered position.” This reputation for thoughtful deliberation and negotiation proved invaluable during his tenure, particularly in 2014 when he faced a hung parliament. In a now-famous episode, Weatherill secured the crucial support of independent MP Geoff Brock during a meeting that involved sharing a ham and pineapple pizza—an anecdote that has since become part of South Australian political folklore.
Weatherill’s leadership was also marked by moments of confrontation with federal counterparts. In a memorable incident, he publicly challenged then-federal energy minister Josh Frydenberg at a press conference, criticizing the federal government’s treatment of South Australia. “It is the most anti-South Australian Commonwealth government in living history,” Weatherill declared, a statement that made international headlines and bolstered his standing at home.
Of course, his time in office was not without challenges. His government faced scrutiny over failures in child protection and issues at the state-run Oakden aged care facility. In 2014, Weatherill launched a royal commission into South Australia’s potential role in the nuclear fuel cycle, which concluded there was an economic opportunity for nuclear waste storage. However, lacking support from both the state opposition and a citizens’ jury, he ultimately abandoned the proposal. A scandal involving the sale of land at Gillman further complicated his final years in office. After losing the 2018 election, Weatherill resigned from parliament, making way for Peter Malinauskas, the current premier of South Australia.
Since leaving politics, Weatherill has remained active in public life. He led the Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive By Five initiative, advocating for early childhood education reform, and served as executive director of the non-partisan McKinnon Institute, which aims to develop future political leaders. Most recently, he has headed the Susan McKinnon Foundation’s democracy strategy and sits on the council of the National Gallery of Australia. Before entering parliament, Weatherill was an industrial lawyer, co-founding Lieschke & Weatherill Lawyers in 1995.
Albanese was quick to highlight Weatherill’s policy credentials, particularly his role in establishing South Australia as a leader in the defence industry and as an advocate for renewable energy and environmental protection. “He championed national debate on sovereign defence capability, renewable energy targets, environmental protection issues,” Albanese told reporters, noting Weatherill’s instrumental role in the construction of submarines and the broader defence sector.
Weatherill’s new responsibilities will include leading the Australian High Commission in London, promoting Australia’s contemporary culture, and deepening bilateral cooperation on trade, security, and cultural ties. The role is especially important given the ongoing work on AUKUS and the shared challenges faced by Australia and the UK on the global stage. As the high commissioner, Weatherill will also be tasked with supporting Australians abroad and managing a relationship that encompasses everything from premium produce exports to collaboration in music, film, and literature.
The outgoing high commissioner, Stephen Smith, was thanked by Albanese for his “remarkable job in representing Australia’s interests across the UK, across security and defence matters in particular.” Smith played a leading role in Australia’s work with the Coalition of the Willing, a group of nations supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression. His tenure has been lauded by both sides of politics, and the transition is expected to be smooth.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas welcomed Weatherill’s appointment, describing him as “an outstanding leader of and ambassador for South Australia.” Malinauskas added, “His intelligence and insights will prove particularly useful as we continue to accelerate our partnership with the UK on the AUKUS project.”
As Australia and the United Kingdom navigate an increasingly complex international environment—marked by shifting alliances, economic uncertainty, and the demands of new security arrangements—Weatherill’s blend of political acumen, negotiation skills, and policy expertise will be put to the test. The eyes of both nations will be on London as he steps into a role that has shaped the course of Australia’s foreign policy for generations.
With the start of his term just weeks away, Weatherill’s appointment signals both continuity and change: a nod to tradition, but also a recognition of the need for experienced, thoughtful leadership in a rapidly changing world.
