- Minister Bill Johnston to step down from Cabinet
and not contest the 2025 State Election
Premier Roger Cook has paid tribute to Minister Bill
Johnston, who today announced he will step down from Cabinet and will not
contest the 2025 State Election
Mr
Johnston was elected to Parliament representing Cannington in 2008 and has been
a staunch advocate for his community over the past 15 years.
He has served as Mines and
Petroleum Minister since 2017, overseeing record resources industry exports
which have kept Western Australia as the economic powerhouse of the nation.
As Energy Minister since
2018, Mr Johnston has steered WA's transition to renewable energy – delivering
the State's biggest ever investments into renewable energy generation and
storage, and putting in train the transformation of the State's electricity grids.
Mr Johnston held the
Industrial Relations portfolio for most of the past six years, delivering
important reforms for workers across the State, including driving a nation-leading
overhaul of WA's work health and safety regime.
Mr Johnston has also served
as Corrective Services, Electoral Affairs, Commerce, Asian Engagement and
Hydrogen Industry Minister.
Prior
to entering Parliament, Mr Johnston played an invaluable role in the labour
movement in WA – serving as State Secretary of WA Labor for seven years, and as
a senior official for the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association.
Mr
Johnston has been a passionate advocate for deepening Western Australia's ties
with Indonesia, after spending his final year of high school as an exchange
student in Bandung in West Java.
Mr
Johnston will see out the remainder of this term of Parliament as the Member
for Cannington, before retiring at the 2025 State Election.
The
Premier will call a special meeting of the Labor Caucus on Thursday, 7
December, to elect a new Cabinet Minister.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"Bill
has been a giant of our party and our movement for more than two decades.
"He
leaves a significant legacy of reform in our State.
"He
has successfully guided WA's energy system on its biggest transformation in
decades, putting us on the path to net zero while keeping our economy strong
and supporting local workers.
"He
has always understood the essential role of a strong resources sector in the
livelihoods of everyday Western Australians, and as Mines & Petroleum
Minister, has help to take the industry to new heights.
"Bill
has never lost his union roots, and has overseen long-awaited and critical
reforms to bolster protections for workers right across the State.
"Bill
has also never shied away from a challenge, never hesitating to take on some of
Government's most challenging portfolios as part of his commitment to the WA
community.
"His
intellect and grasp of policy detail will be missed from the Labor team.
"I
thank Bill for his great contribution to WA and to his community."
