Broadening economy key focus of new Cabinet

Premier Colin Barnett today announced three new faces in State Cabinet, which has been refreshed to reflect the Government's commitment to broadening the State's economy.
  • Premier welcomes Donna Faragher, Andrea Mitchell and Sean L'Estrange into new-look Cabinet
  • Former Planning Minister John Day to take on important Health portfolio
  • Premier will be new Tourism Minister

Premier Colin Barnett today announced three new faces in State Cabinet, which has been refreshed to reflect the Government's commitment to broadening the State's economy.

East Metropolitan Region MLC Donna Faragher, Kingsley MLA Andrea Mitchell and Churchlands MLA Sean L'Estrange have all been promoted to the new-look Cabinet.

Mrs Faragher becomes Minister for Planning and Disability Services, Ms Mitchell takes on Mental Health and Child Protection and Mr L'Estrange will be Minister for Mines and Petroleum, and Small Business.

"Three new Ministers, two new Parliamentary Secretaries and 11 portfolio changes is a significant reshuffle and gives the public an indication as to the sort of Cabinet that will govern Western Australia should we be re-elected next year," Premier Colin Barnett said.

"The Cabinet puts a focus on the key portfolios which will be instrumental in broadening our economy - Tourism, State Development, Agriculture and Food and Fisheries. It also acknowledges the value of the Training and Workforce Development portfolio by appointing a Parliamentary Secretary to support the Minister. 

"It showcases the breadth and depth within the Parliamentary Liberal Party that we are able to make so many changes while invigorating the Cabinet team.

"At the same time, I would like to thank outgoing Ministers Kim Hames, Helen Morton and Ken Baston for their tireless work in their various portfolios in the term of the Government.

"Kim Hames has been an outstanding Health Minister and the architect of the most significant health building program in the history of the State.

"Helen Morton has been a fierce advocate for some of the State's most disadvantaged people, including children, in the areas of mental health, disability and child services. 

"And Ken Baston has identified new and developing markets for agricultural products and therefore established a platform in agriculture which will serve the State well."

The Premier said he was delighted to add two new Parliamentary Secretaries in Bateman MLA Matt Taylor and Joondalup MLA Jan Norberger, both elected in 2013 and now taking on key roles.

"Mr Taylor will add youth and vigour in his role as parliamentary secretary for Training and Workforce Development and will work closely with Deputy Premier Liza Harvey as the State moves forward in creating more jobs in a modern diverse economy," he said.

Mr Norberger - a former 40 under 40 winner - will support the Minister for Planning.  He has been a member of the parliamentary Economics and Industry Standing Committee since 2013.

Other major changes include John Day relinquishing the Planning portfolio and being promoted to Health Minister.  Dean Nalder has added Agriculture and Food to his Transport portfolio. 

Bill Marmion takes on State Development and Joe Francis adds Fisheries to his portfolios. 

The Premier will take responsibility for Tourism.

"Tourism has always been vitally important to our economy and is set to become even more significant as WA emerges as a key destination for people from China and South East Asia," he said.

Mrs Faragher rejoins the ministry - she was the youngest female minister in WA political history - after the birth of her two children. Her appointment to the Planning portfolio acknowledges her significant commitment to approval and regulatory reform. She also takes on responsibility for Disability Services.

Ms Mitchell has been promoted to Cabinet to continue the Government's significant focus on mental health.  A former teacher and president of Tennis West, Ms Mitchell also takes on Child Protection.

Mr L'Estrange has been an active Member of Parliament since his election to the seat of Churchlands in 2013.  He is currently the chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.

Before entering Parliament, Mr L'Estrange established his own successful management consulting practice in Perth, and served his country as an Army Lieutenant Colonel in Afghanistan.  He takes on responsibility for Mines and Petroleum, and Small Business.

The Cabinet will be sworn in on Thursday morning.

Premier's office - 6552 5000

 

State Cabinet:

HON C J BARNETT MLA

Premier; Minister for Tourism; Science

HON L M HARVEY MLA

Deputy Premier; Minister for Police; Road Safety; Training and Workforce Development; Women's Interests

HON D T REDMAN MLA

Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development

HON P C COLLIER MLC

Minister for Education; Aboriginal Affairs; Electoral Affairs

HON J H D DAY MLA                

Minister for Health; Culture and the Arts

HON Dr M D NAHAN MLA         

Treasurer; Minister for Energy; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

HON W R MARMION MLA        

Minister for State Development; Finance

HON M MISCHIN MLC  

Attorney General; Minister for Commerce

HON A P JACOB MLA              

Minister for Environment; Heritage

HON J M FRANCIS MLA           

Minister for Emergency Services; Fisheries; Corrective Services; Veterans

HON M J DAVIES MLA 

Minister for Water; Sport and Recreation; Forestry

HON D C NALDER MLA

Minister for Agriculture and Food; Transport

HON A J SIMPSON MLA           

Minister for Local Government; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Youth

HON C J HOLT MLC                 

Minister for Housing; Racing and Gaming

HON D FARAGHER MLC                        

Minister for Planning; Disability Services

HON A MITCHELL MLA             

Minister for Mental Health; Child Protection

HON S L'ESTRANGE MLA        

Minister for Mines and Petroleum; Small Business

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES

Mr John McGrath MLA         

Paliamentary Secretary to the Premier

Hon Alyssa Hayden MLC           

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism

  

Hon James Chown MLC            

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Food; Transport

Mr Paul Miles MLA                   

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Commerce

  

Mr Vincent Catania MLA      

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Water; Sport and Recreation; Forestry

Mr Shane Love MLA                  

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development; Lands; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development

Mr Matt Taylor MLA                  

Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Minister for Training and Workforce Development

Mr Jan Norberger MLA   

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Planning