Hon Stephen Dawson MLC

Biography
Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research and Minister for the Kimberley
Stephen was born in Dublin and migrated to Australia in 1989 with his family.
He has been a Chief of Staff to a number of Government Ministers in Western Australia and Victoria and worked with the Trade Union movement.
Prior to being elected to represent Western Australia’s Mining & Pastoral Region in 2013 he was the WA State Manager for Essential Media Communications.
In 2017, Stephen was elected as the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and was appointed as the Minister for Environment and Disability Services.
Stephen has also served in the portfolios of Electoral Affairs, Mental Health, Aboriginal Affairs, Industrial Relations and Volunteering. He has recently served as the Minister for Emergency Services; Innovation and the Digital Economy; Science; Medical Research and Minister Assisting the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade.
Following the 2025 election, Stephen has been appointed as the Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation and the Digital Economy, Medical Research and Minister for the Kimberley. He will also take on the role as Leader of the Governent in the Legislative Council.
Portfolios
Show moreRegional Development
- Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission
- Peel Development Commission
- Mid West Development Commission
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Gascoyne Development Commission
- Great Southern Development Commission
- Kimberley Development Commission
- South West Development Commission
- Pilbara Development Commission
- Wheatbelt Development Commission
Ports
- Fremantle Port Authority
- Department of Transport
- Kimberley Ports Authority
- Mid West Ports Authority
- Southern Ports Authority
- Pilbara Ports Authority
Science and Innovation
Medical Research
- Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Department of Health