Media personality David Koch has been appointed a new role but the decision has left Australians confused and raising their eyebrows for one reason.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has encouraged all states to embrace AUKUS as he prepares to speak at the Defending Australia Summit in Canberra.
The South Australian Premier recently returned from a 10-day mission in the United States which focused on maximising opportunities for South Australia out of the AUKUS submarine program.
“There is opportunity for everybody and I think it is important that all states in the country, particularly on the eastern seaboard, put their policy effort, put their energy effort industrially into make sure we can build these most complex and magnificent of machines that will protect our country for decades to come,” Mr Malinauskas told Sky News Australia.
Koch, also known as “Kochie”, will be beginning his three-year appointment from July 2.
In the new role the former Sunrise host will work with the SATC Board to set the strategic agenda for the Commission, which is an independent statutory authority.
However, the appointment has prompted concern that he should reside locally to take on the job.
Former Sunrise host David Koch has been appointed as the new SATC Chair. Picture: Jonathan Ng.
Social media users flocked to the Facebook comment section to share their thoughts, which ranged from confusion to outrage.
“Why??? He doesn’t even live in SA,” one said.
Another user asked: “How can he promote the state when he chooses to live elsewhere? Ridiculous choice!”
In a media conference on Thursday, Koch dismissed concerns about living elsewhere.
“I bring a national perspective, which I think can be really valuable,” he said.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was “very grateful” to have Kochie in the role. Picture: NCA Newswire / Emma Brasier
“My role isn’t to be here running South Australia Tourism, it’s being able to help direct strategic issues and strategic initiatives and plans going forward to be a sounding board to Emma (Terry).
“I’m not running it day to day – if I was running it day to day, yep, absolutely incredibly valid question.”
He also touched on his South Australian roots, having hailed from the state.
“I’m a proud South Australian business expat, like so many South Australians who have gone interstate to follow their own opportunities, but never ever lost touch with their home state,” he said.
“Even though my media interests and business have been based in the eastern states, always coming back to South Australia.”
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While he won’t be moving interstate for the role, the media personality confirmed he will be spending more time there.
Kochie added he already spends “significant amounts of time” in the state due to his role as Director and Chair of Port Adelaide Football Club since 2012.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was “very grateful” Koch decided to accept the invitation to take up the role.
“His experience particularly in terms of small business is something that were particularly keen to harness here,” he said.
Koch will be replacing Andrew Bullock who has served as Chair of SATC since 2019.