The man who led South Australia for more than six years will become Australia's next high commissioner to the UK.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday announced former premier Jay Weatherill was appointed to the role, describing the choice as "entirely appropriate".

Mr Weatherill led the state between 2011 and 2018, and served in the SA parliament for 16 years, where he drove debate on defence capability, renewable energy targets and environmental protection issues.

Mr Albanese praised the former Labor premier as a leader in defence industry and as being "instrumental" in the construction of submarines.

"Jay is well placed to take forward AUKUS in our nation's interest, particularly with SSN-AUKUS, which we'll be doing in partnership with the United Kingdom," he said.

Under the A

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