Following reform announced
by Premier Roger Cook on 31 March 2025, steps are being taken to confirm the
leadership of departments to drive achievement of the government's priorities.
- Nationwide recruitment commences for five
department heads
- Appointments anticipated for new reform
structure commencing 1 July 2025
- Leadership confirmed for other departments
Recruitment for five
vacant leadership positions begins today with advertisements running
nationally:
- Under Treasurer of the Department of Treasury
and Finance;
- Director General of the Department of Premier
and Cabinet;
- Director General of the Department of Creative
Industries, Tourism and Sport;
- Director General of the Department of Housing
and Works; and
- Director General of the Department of Mines,
Petroleum and Exploration.
Leadership of other
departments as a result of the government's targeted public sector reforms are
also confirmed for 1 July 2025 when the changes come into effect.
To leverage her extensive
experience in regulatory governance and industry oversight, Lanie Chopping will
head up the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety. In
this role she will build on her work in driving changes in local government as
well as racing, gaming and liquor regulation.
Jodi Cant will finish in
her position of Director General of the Department of Finance on 30 June 2025
having decided to use the reform as a suitable time to seek new opportunities.
She was appointed seven years ago to set a new path for the department and will
continue to oversee the set up of the Department of Housing and Works until she
finishes.
The targeted reforms aim
to deliver on the government's goals of job creation through economic
diversification, local manufacturing and energy transition; delivery of
hospitals and other major infrastructure; and the building of houses across Western
Australia.
Comments attributed
to Premier Roger Cook:
"Following our
announcement of targeted public sector reforms, we are moving to ensure strong
and focused public sector leadership that Western Australia needs to deliver on
our priorities of diversifying the economy and a better way to build.
"The Public Sector
Commissioner is searching nationwide for new directors general of four
departments as well as the State's new Under Treasurer.
"Confirming leadership of
other departments in the changes taking place from 1 July allows my government
to get on with the work of delivering for Western Australians.
"I welcome Lanie Choping
into the reshaped regulatory department to provide a more focused approach
across a broad spectrum of reform to improve outcomes for industry and the
community in the State.
"I thank Jodi Cant for
her service to Western Australia as Director General of the Department of
Finance since August 2018. Through her leadership, the department has played a
key role supporting the delivery of major infrastructure including the iconic Boola
Bardip WA Museum and a large number of schools.
"Directors general play a
valuable role in leadership and creating culture. They are essential to
delivering the government's priorities, and I thank them all for their
continued efforts in navigating reform, and their contribution to the success
of the public sector."
