Cabinet reshuffle to give Government sharper focus

27/6/03
Attorney General Jim McGinty was today given responsibility for the key Health portfolio in today's reshuffle of State Cabinet.
Premier Geoff Gallop said Mr McGinty would retain the portfolios of Attorney General and Electoral Affairs, where he had achieved an impressive record of reform.

"Mr McGinty has been one of the great reformist Attorneys General and I'm confident he has the right credentials to take on the Government's biggest portfolio," Dr Gallop said.
"He is well equipped to build on the excellent work done by Bob Kucera."
The Premier said the reshuffle, formalised at a swearing-in ceremony at Government House this morning, was designed to streamline and sharpen the Government's focus in the core areas of economic development, education, community safety and the environment.
He said the appointment of Mr Kucera to a new economic portfolio, based on tourism and small business, would provide greater emphasis on vital sectors that were the biggest employers in the State.
"This will also free up Clive Brown, as Minister for State Development, to focus on continuing to attract major economic projects to Western Australia," Dr Gallop said.
"Our State is experiencing strong economic growth and we need to make the most of every opportunity to secure new jobs and investment."
"Similarly, Alan Carpenter sheds Indigenous Affairs and Sport and Recreation to concentrate on the vital portfolio of Education and Training.
"This recognises that a highly educated and skilled workforce is essential for a modern and growing economy."
Dr Gallop said building safer communities through smarter policing and crime prevention strategies, along with tougher penalties, was another key Government priority.
"To that end, we have consolidated the key law and order portfolios of Police and Emergency Services and Justice under Michelle Roberts and added to her responsibilities a new portfolio of Community Safety.
"Community Safety combines the Office of Crime Prevention and the Office of Road Safety, which are each charged with developing new and innovative policies in these areas," he said.
"The environment has also been given greater focus under Dr Judy Edwards, who relinquishes responsibility for Heritage.
"A clean, green environment is an essential part of the Western Australian way of life and Dr Edwards' priority will be to preserve our unique environment for future generations."
The Premier said the reshuffle had maintained Cabinet stability while at the same time addressing those areas of greatest concern to the community.
He said the Government would continue with a 14-member Cabinet which maximised the talents of individual Ministers.
Girrawheen MLA Margaret Quirk and South Metropolitan MLC Sue Ellery would join the team of Parliamentary Secretaries assisting ministers. Ms Quirk would assist Michelle Roberts and Ms Ellery would assist Jim McGinty.
MINISTERS