Premier Colin Barnett has today announced the State Government's new Cabinet, welcoming five new Ministers to the front bench.
"The beginning of the Liberal National Government's second term is an exciting time and it presents an excellent opportunity to bring some fresh ideas and new approaches to the Cabinet table," the Premier said.
Mr Barnett announced that Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Ken Baston would become the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Riverton MLA Mike Nahan would take the portfolios of Energy; and Finance along with Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Darling Range MLA Tony Simpson would become Minister for Local Government; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; and Youth, Ocean Reef MLA Albert Jacob would assume the dual responsibilities of Environment; and Heritage while Jandakot MLA Joe Francis would be Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; and take the new portfolio of Veterans.
"I believe the Liberal National Government has been a strong and stable Government with an excellent group of Ministers who have been good decision-makers and who have also always shown the highest ethical standards," he said.
"But we have a wealth and depth of talent and I am delighted to be able to take this opportunity to bring the skills and experience of several new Ministers to the Government's front bench.
"These members have all demonstrated their capacity and willingness to serve as parliamentary secretaries or as members of standing committees. Tony Simpson and Ken Baston have also been Government Whips in the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council respectively.
"They all have also demonstrated an ability to represent their local communities well, and those skills will be vital in their new roles."
Other changes will see the Premier follow through on his election commitment to add Science to his State Development portfolio, Helen Morton will add Child Protection to Mental Health; and Disability Services, Bill Marmion now takes the portfolios of Mines and Petroleum, along with Housing, Terry Redman will add Training and Workforce Development, as well as Water, to his existing responsibility for Forestry, Liza Harvey will take Small Business; and Women's Interests and keep her existing portfolios of Police; and Road Safety, Peter Collier (Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council) adds Electoral Affairs to Education and Aboriginal Affairs, and Attorney General Michael Mischin will now also accept responsibility for Commerce.
Deputy Premier Kim Hames, will continue to guide the Health and Tourism portfolios. Nationals leader Brendon Grylls retains his portfolios of Regional Development; and Lands, and will focus as a priority on encouraging and attracting strategic agricultural investment.
The Premier thanked Brendon Grylls and Kim Hames for their support in delivering ethical government with a broad policy focus.
Troy Buswell keeps Treasury and Transport and adds Fisheries.
John Day will replace Kim Hames as Leader of the House in the Legislative Assembly, and continue as Minister for Planning; and Culture and the Arts.
Terry Waldron carries on his role as Minister for Sport and Recreation; and Racing and Gaming.
"I congratulate both the new Ministers and the existing Ministers on their appointment to Cabinet for this second term and look forward to working closely with them over the next four years of Government," Mr Barnett said.
The Premier has also announced the appointment of eight Parliamentary Secretaries, Donna Faragher, John McGrath, Alyssa Hayden, Jim Chown, Paul Miles, Andrea Mitchell, Mia Davies and Colin Holt.
Mr Barnett also said Mount Lawley MLA Michael Sutherland would be nominated for the position of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Kalgoorlie MLA Wendy Duncan would be nominated for the position of Deputy Speaker.
Carine MLA Tony Krsticevic has been appointed Government Whip in the Legislative Assembly.
The new members replace Norman Moore who retired at the last election and John Castrilli who has asked not to be considered for a Cabinet position. Simon O'Brien, Robyn McSweeney and Murray Cowper have also left Cabinet.
The Premier sincerely thanked all the outgoing Ministers for their enormous contribution to the State and dedication to the job.
The new Cabinet is due to be sworn in by His Excellency Malcolm McCusker AC CVO QC, Governor of Western Australia on Thursday.
Premier's office - 6552 5000
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
Colin Barnett MLA Premier; State Development; Science
Kim Hames MLA Deputy Premier; Health; Tourism
Brendon Grylls MLA Regional Development; Lands; Assisting on State Development
Peter Collier MLC Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Electoral Affairs; Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
Troy Buswell MLA Treasurer; Transport; Fisheries
John Day MLA Planning; Culture and the Arts; Manager of Government Business in the Legislative Assembly
Liza Harvey MLA Police; Road Safety; Small Business; Women's Interests
Terry Redman MLA Training and Workforce Development; Water; Forestry
Helen Morton MLC Mental Health; Disability Services; Child Protection
Michael Mischin MLC Attorney General; Commerce
Bill Marmion MLA Mines and Petroleum; Housing
Terry Waldron MLA Sport and Recreation; Racing and Gaming
Ken Baston MLC Agriculture and Food
Mike Nahan MLA Energy; Finance; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Tony Simpson MLA Local Government; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Youth
Albert Jacob MLA Environment; Heritage
Joe Francis MLA Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Veterans
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES:
Donna Faragher MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for State Development; Science
John McGrath MLA Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for State Development; Science
Alyssa Hayden MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Tourism
Jim Chown MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Fisheries
Paul Miles MLA Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General; Minister for Commerce
Andrea Mitchell MLA Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Mental Health; Disability Services; Child Protection
Mia Davies MLA Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development
Colin Holt MLC Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Training and Workforce Development; Water; Forestry
