- Refreshed, experienced Cook Cabinet team
unveiled
- Hannah Beazley elevated to Cabinet
- Ministers to be sworn in at Government House tomorrow
Premier
Roger Cook has unveiled his refreshed Cabinet team ahead of the 2025 election.
Victoria
Park MLA Hannah Beazley will enter the Cook Cabinet, filling the vacancy left
by the resignation of Bill Johnston.
Ms
Beazley - who has served as a Parliamentary Secretary for the past 12 months
and has considerable experience in the Government, private and non-profit
sectors - will take on the Local Government and Youth portfolios, along with becoming
Minister assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development.
The
portfolios previously held by Mr Johnston will be shared among a number of
experienced Ministers, highlighting the importance of those policy areas and
the capabilities within the WA Labor team.
Reece
Whitby will add Energy to his Environment and Climate Action portfolios, allowing
him to spearhead WA's energy transition and drive the State's future as a clean
energy powerhouse.
In a
sign of the Government's commitment to positioning Western Australia at the
forefront of new energy industries, Premier Roger Cook will take responsibility
for Hydrogen Industry, as part of his State and Industry Development, Jobs and
Trade portfolio.
Responsibility
for Mines and Petroleum will move to David Michael, delivering close synergies
with his existing responsibilities for WA's ports.
Experienced
Minister Simone McGurk will take on Industrial Relations, helping to oversee the
State's work health and safety regime and lead negotiations under the public
sector wages policy.
Minister
Paul Papalia will add the Racing and Gaming portfolio to his existing
responsibilities - a portfolio which he previously held from 2017 to 2021,
driving important reforms including developing the Banned Drinkers Register.
Cockburn
MLA David Scaife will become Parliamentary Secretary to Minister John Carey,
filling the vacancy created from Ms Beazley's elevation to Cabinet.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"My
refreshed Cabinet team has the experience and the energy to do what's right for
WA.
"Hannah
Beazley will be a welcome addition to the Ministry, bringing new energy and
perspectives to the Cabinet.
"These
changes elevate Ministers Whitby and Michael within our economic team, to turn
WA into a clean energy powerhouse and to make more things here in WA.
"I'm
proud to lead a stable, highly capable and experienced team, which is
delivering on what matters to WA.
"We'll
continue to deliver on our plan to tackle cost of living pressures, build more
homes, invest in our health system and set up WA's economy for a strong
future."
COOK GOVERNMENT
CABINET
PARLIAMENTARY
SECRETARIES
