Chris Picton

Christopher James Picton (born 13 January 1983) is an Australian politician representing the South Australian House of Assembly seat of Kaurna for the South Australian Labor Party since the 2014 state election. After the March 2026 state election, Picton was appointed Minister for four portfolios: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy; Defence and Space Industries; State Development; and Veterans' Affairs.

Early life and education Christopher James Picton was born on 13 January 1983 in South Australia.

Picton attended public schools in Adelaide, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice and Bachelor of Arts from Flinders University. He also served as an associate director at Deloitte Access Economics. until Labor lost the 2018 state election on 19 March 2018. He was also convenor of SA Labor's Policy Platform Committee. previously having shadowed the role while in opposition.

After the 2026 state election, on 25 March 2026 Picton was appointed Minister for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy, Defence and Space Industries, State Development, and Veterans' Affairs. Soon after his appointment, he had a meeting with the Australia India Council to discuss trade as well as the former US ambassador to Australia, to discuss space and artificial intelligence.