Rear Admiral Kevin John Scarce (born 4 May 1952) is a retired naval officer who served as the 34th governor of South Australia from 2007 to 2014.
Scarce was born in Toorak Gardens, South Australia, and grew up in Woomera and Elizabeth. Influenced by his father's work in weapons research, he joined the Royal Australian Navy at 15, training at and serving aboard during the Vietnam War. After further training in the United Kingdom, he held various naval appointments, including service on and the development of the navy's first staff course. He later represented Australia in Washington, D.C., before earning master's degrees in management economics and national security strategy. Rising steadily through the ranks, Scarce commanded , became a rear admiral in 1999, and served as Support Commander Australia – Navy and Head Maritime Systems, overseeing major operational and logistical functions until 2003.
Scarce was appointed governor of South Australia in May 2007 and sworn in that August, with Hieu Van Le as his deputy. Known for his support of an Australian republic and his active public engagement, he attended around 900 events a year and met figures such as Hillary Clinton and Prince Charles. His 2010 speech called for compassion toward asylum seekers. His term was extended twice before ending in September 2014, when Hieu succeeded him as governor.
After completing his term as governor in 2014, Scarce took on several leadership roles, including president of Novita Children's Services, chancellor of the University of Adelaide, and board member of Seeley International. He became a key advocate for exploring nuclear energy to support South Australia's economy and in 2015 led the Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission, which recommended developing a state-run nuclear waste storage industry. Though the proposal was later dismissed, Scarce defended the value of open debate on nuclear policy. He also chaired the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority and remained active in education and health causes, including the Cancer Council SA. Scarce resigned as chancellor in 2020 amid governance changes at the University of Adelaide, concluding a period marked by his strong involvement in state development and public policy.
In 2021, Scarce supported Australia's decision to switch to nuclear-powered submarines under AUKUS, calling it a strategically sound move amid regional instability. He argued that the country should also explore nuclear energy as part of its long-term power strategy and develop domestic expertise in handling nuclear fuel and waste. In 2023, he was appointed chair of the Mount Gambier Education and Training Precinct, leading a $59 million project to strengthen regional education and industry links. Scarce later retired from his roles with the Coopers Foundation and the Operation Flinders Foundation in 2024.
Early life and education Kevin John Scarce was born on 4 May 1952 in Toorak Gardens, South Australia. He spent part of his childhood in Woomera, where his father worked in weapons research, before the family settled in Elizabeth. He attended Elizabeth East Primary School and Elizabeth High School. Scarce described his upbringing as typical, centred on sport and friendship, with limited academic focus in his early years. His interest in a naval career was influenced by his father, who encouraged him to pursue officer training at a time when higher education was less accessible to working-class families. At 14, he began a series of examinations and interviews that led to his acceptance into a naval officer training course at in Jervis Bay, New South Wales.
Scarce entered as a junior entry cadet midshipman in 1968 at the age of 15. The training environment was demanding, with rigorous academic and disciplinary standards, but he developed an interest in sea service and the camaraderie of naval life. In 1971, he undertook sea training aboard the fast troop carrier , participating in a logistic resupply deployment to Vũng Tàu during the Vietnam War. His service during this period provided early exposure to the realities of military operations and their social effects. Scarce graduated from HMAS Creswell in 1972, receiving several sporting awards, including the Farncomb Cup for best cricket all-rounder, the Morgan Trophy for best batsman, and the Governor-General's Cup for best individual sporting performance, and also played in the college's first XVIII Australian rules football team.
Naval career Sub-Lieutenant Scarce travelled to the United Kingdom in 1973 for advanced Royal Navy training. After returning to Australia, he completed professional supply courses and served in , , and . Promoted to Lieutenant in 1975, he was posted to in Sydney. In 1977, he joined the aircraft carrier and took part in the Silver Jubilee Naval Review at Spithead, United Kingdom. After completing his service aboard Melbourne, he was assigned to the RAN Staff College Project, which developed the navy's first staff course, launched in 1979.
In 1979, Lieutenant Scarce was posted to Washington, D.C., as part of the staff of the naval attaché at the Australian embassy and was promoted to lieutenant commander in December 1981. Returning to Australia in 1982, he undertook further specialist training before serving as supply officer on . He was promoted to commander in June 1985 and later served in the Directorate of Service Requirements – Navy at Navy Office, Canberra. In 1987, he became supply officer at .
In 1990, Scarce completed a Master's degree in management economics at the University of New South Wales and was promoted to captain later that year, serving as fleet supply officer and chief staff officer support at Fleet Headquarters. He then earned a Master's in National Security Strategy at the National War College before taking command of in 1995. Promoted to commodore in 1997, he became flag officer, Naval Training Command, and in 1999, Commodore Logistics Support – Navy. Promoted to rear admiral in December 1999, he was appointed Support Commander Australia – Navy, based in Melbourne, and from 2000 to 2003, he served as Head Maritime Systems within the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).
Post-naval career After retiring from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 2003 with the rank of rear admiral, Scarce briefly served as Acting Under Secretary of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in 2004. During his time in Canberra, he oversaw major defence procurement programs and appeared before parliamentary committees on matters of expenditure and project management. Following his departure from the DMO, Scarce was appointed chief executive officer of the South Australian Government Defence Unit from 2004 to 2005, where he was responsible for developing the state's defence industry opportunities. He also chaired the Defence Industry Advisory Board and, in 2006, joined the Port Adelaide Maritime Cooperation Board. His work during this period positioned him as central figure in bridging national defence policy and industry development.
Scarce secured South Australia's successful bid for a A$6 billion contract to construct three for the Australian Defence Force, a project that significantly strengthened the state's shipbuilding industry. His approach, described by Premier Mike Rann as direct, pragmatic, and results-oriented, helped to attract and reassure multinational companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon about investing in Adelaide's defence industry. Although initially viewing his move back to Adelaide as temporary, Scarce and his wife decided to remain. His continued engagement with the sector extended into his later appointment as governor of South Australia, where he maintained advocacy for the defence industry, mentoring senior officials and hosting international defence representatives at Government House to reinforce South Australia's position within global strategic networks.
Governor of South Australia
Scarce was announced as governor of South Australia on 3 May 2007 and was sworn in on 8 August 2007. Shortly after, Hieu Van Le was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor on 31 August 2007, serving as Scarce's deputy. Early in his tenure, he publicly stated his support for an Australian republic, a position noted as departing from the convention of viceregal impartiality.
During his governorship, Scarce maintained a demanding schedule, attending approximately 900 public engagements annually and engaging with a broad range of individuals, from local community members to international figures such as Hillary Clinton and Prince Charles. In 2008, he was appointed patron of Debating SA. In his 2010 Proclamation Day speech, Scarce called for compassion towards asylum seekers at the Inverbrackie Detention Centre, urging South Australians to uphold the values of the state's founders and ensure fair treatment for all. Although a republican, he indicated that any change to Australia’s constitutional status should occur only after the reign of the current monarch.
Scarce's term as governor of South Australia was extended on 13 February 2012 for an additional two years, with Premier Jay Weatherill citing his insights into defence matters as a key reason, and further extended in February 2013. On 26 June 2014, Weatherill announced that Elizabeth II had approved Hieu as the next governor, who succeeded Scarce on 1 September, marking the end of his tenure and making Hieu the state's 35th governor.
Chancellor of the University of Adelaide
Following his tenure as governor of South Australia on 23 September 2014, Scarce defended the national shipbuilding industry and called for an expert-led debate on nuclear energy, emphasising the potential for investment in advanced manufacturing to support the state's economy. On 24 October, he was announced as the president of Novita Children's Services, formally taking up the role in November after seven years as the organisation's patron. He was appointed the 16th chancellor of the University of Adelaide on 12 November, succeeding Robert Hill and assuming the role on 1 December, drawing on his experience in government and industry. Shortly thereafter, on 8 December, he joined the board of directors of Seeley International, Australia's largest air conditioning and heating manufacturer, providing strategic guidance and oversight. In the same period, Scarce publicly suggested that South Australia consider developing a nuclear industry to offset a decline in manufacturing, advocating for a discussion led by experts without political intervention.
Scarce was appointed to the BankSA Advisory Board on 15 January 2015. Later that year, on 9 February, Weatherill announced that Scarce would lead a Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission to examine the potential expansion of nuclear industries in the state, including uranium mining, enrichment, power generation, and radioactive waste storage. Scarce stated that he approached the inquiry without preconceived views and sought a public debate on the associated opportunities and risks, a position that drew support from business and mining groups, concern from environmentalists, and cautious backing from the Liberal opposition. The commission ultimately recommended exploring the storage of international nuclear waste in South Australia; however, its findings were dismissed following a brief "citizen's jury" process, which Scarce later criticised as rushed. Despite the setback, he emphasised the value of initiating a long-term public discussion.