Stephan Karl Knoll (born 1982) (/stɛˈfɑːn kəˈnɒl/[2]) is a former Australian politician who represented the South Australian House of Assembly electorate of Schubert for the Liberal Party from 2014[3] to 2022. Knoll served as Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government and Minister for Planning in the Marshall Ministry between 2018 and 2020,[4][5][6] and as Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly from February to July 2020.
Stephan Knoll | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister for Transport and Infrastructure | |
| In office 22 March 2018 – 26 July 2020 | |
| Premier | Steven Marshall |
| Preceded by | Stephen Mullighan |
| Succeeded by | Corey Wingard |
| Minister for Local Government | |
| In office 22 March 2018 – 26 July 2020 | |
| Premier | Steven Marshall |
| Preceded by | Geoff Brock |
| Succeeded by | Vickie Chapman |
| Minister for Planning | |
| In office 22 March 2018 – 26 July 2020 | |
| Premier | Steven Marshall |
| Preceded by | John Rau |
| Succeeded by | Vickie Chapman |
| Leader of Government Business | |
| In office 5 February 2020 – 26 July 2020 | |
| Preceded by | John Gardner |
| Succeeded by | Dan van Holst Pellekaan |
| Member of the South Australian House of Assembly for Schubert | |
| In office 15 March 2014 – 19 March 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Ivan Venning |
| Succeeded by | Ashton Hurn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Stephan Karl Knoll 1982 or 1983 (age 41–42)[1] |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia (SA) |
| Alma mater | University of Adelaide |
| Occupation | General manager |
Background and early career
editKnoll attended Christian Brothers College, Adelaide, and the University of Adelaide, completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing).
Prior to entering State Parliament he was general manager of his family's small business Barossa Fine Foods.[1][7]
He also served as State President of the South Australian Young Liberal Movement.[8]
Parliamentary career
editAfter his election in 2014, Knoll was appointed to the Parliamentary Committee on Occupational Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation.
In January 2016, Knoll released a booklet entitled "40 Reasons Why You Can't Trust Labor with Your Money".[9] Also in January, Knoll was promoted to Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Waste, Deregulation, and IT use in government.[10] In February 2016, Knoll was appointed to the Parliament's Economic and Finance Committee.
In January 2017, fourteen months before the 2018 state election, Knoll was promoted to the shadow cabinet, taking on the portfolios of Police, Emergency Services, Corrections and Road Safety.[11]
Following the March 2018 election, he was appointed Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Local Government and Minister for Planning.[12] On 5 February 2020, Knoll was appointed as Leader of Government Business in the House.[12]
During Knoll's time as minister, a record $1.1 billion was committed for regional road projects and infrastructure upgrades across the state in the 2019-20 State Budget.[13] This was the single biggest injection of new funding in a state budget for regional roads in South Australia's history.[14] Knoll also advocated and secured the construction of twin tunnels to complete the North-South Corridor as part of the 2020 State Budget.[15][16]
During his tenure as Planning Minister, Knoll navigated the rolling implementation of broader system changes including the introduction of a statewide electronic planning system - the first of its kind in Australia. Phase 1 of the Planning and Design Code was rolled out in Outback SA on 1 July 2019,[17] with Phase 2 (Rural) introduced on 31 July 2020 and Phase 3 (Urban) on 19 March 2021.
In June 2020, Knoll introduced the Local Government Reform Bill in Parliament.[18] Key elements in the Bill were rate capping, the establishment of behavioural standards for councillors and reductions of red tape to improve efficiency and lessen the burden on councils. The Bill was passed in June 2021, with the omission of rate capping.[19]
In July 2020, as part of a broader investigation into a number of country MPs, Knoll was investigated by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) into the possible misuse of the Country Members Accommodation Allowance.[20] Knoll resigned from cabinet on 26 July 2020.[6] On 15 October 2020, the ICAC announced that there would be no further inquiry or investigation relating to some of the members of parliament, including Knoll.[21] Mr Knoll was found guilty of misconduct after attempting to sack members of the Adelaide Cemeteries board without authority. [22]
The Urban Renewal Authority, trading as Renewal SA, was within his portfolio responsibilities until 28 July 2020, when it was moved to that of the Treasurer, Rob Lucas.[23]
On 1 December 2020, Knoll announced he did not intend to contest the 2022 election.[24][25] He retired from politics after the 2022 election. He now runs Sympatheia Strategic Advisory, a business advisory company.[26]
References
edit- ^ a b "Four brothers, one business". The Sydney Morning Herald. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ Blake, Jon (26 March 2018). "the pronunciation of 'Stephen [sic] Knoll'". Jon Blake Podcast. FIVEaa. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ Green, Antony (2014). "Schubert". 2014 SA election. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ MacLennan, Leah (22 March 2018). "SA election: Who's who in the new South Australian Liberal Government?". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "The South Australian Government Gazette, 22 March 2018, No. 20, Supplementary Gazette" (PDF). Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Three SA ministers resign from cabinet – Australian Associated Press". AAP. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "Barossa Fine Foods: Smallgoods Adelaide - Australia's Most Awarded Smallgoods Maker". www.barossafinefoods.com.au. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ "Congratulations to Young Liberal Stephan... - Young Liberal Movement of Australia - Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
- ^ Strathearn, Peri (12 January 2016). "Shots from Knoll hit target". The Murray Valley Standard. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ "New SA Opposition frontbench to focus on jobs, economy". ABC News. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
- ^ Wills, Daniel. "Daniel Wills analysis: Can new-look Liberals finally wrest office?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
- ^ a b "Hon Stephan Knoll". Former members of the Parliament of South Australia. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
- ^ State, Growth (27 June 2019). "Regional roads investment". Growth State. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ "Govt flags delaying reforms after e-Planning guru quits". InDaily. 30 January 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Martin, Patrick (10 November 2020). "South Australia's debt to almost double as government spends big on roads and sport in 2020 State Budget". ABC News.
- ^ "Former SA transport minister Stephan Knoll to quit at 2022 election". ABC News. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (18 March 2021). "Planning reforms". PlanSA. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Smith, Matt (17 June 2020). "State Government reveals second bid at rate capping in new council reforms". The Advertiser.
- ^ Legislation, South Australian (22 November 2021). "LZ". South Australian Legislation. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ "Liberal MPs to pay back allowance claimed in error after ABC investigation, but Premier denies deliberate wrongdoing". ABC News. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ^ "Investigation update: Country Members Accommodation Allowance". Independent Commissioner Against Corruption SA. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ "Former SA minister committed misconduct, ombudsman finds". ABC News. 12 August 2021.
- ^ Renewal SA (30 September 2021). Urban Renewal Authority (trading as Renewal SA): 2020-21 Annual Report (PDF). p. 12. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ "Stephan Knoll - Stephan Knoll added a new photo". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
- ^ Dayman, Isabel (1 December 2020). "Former South Australian transport minister Stephan Knoll to quit at 2022 election". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/stephan.knoll.9/ [bare URL]