New WA Cabinet sworn in
From left: Liza Harvey, Donna Faragher, Sean L’Estrange, Andrea Mitchell and Premier Colin Barnett.
photo: Simon Santi/The Western Australian
The new State Cabinet announced by Premier Colin Barnett on 29th March, has been refreshed to reflect the Government’s commitment to broadening the State’s economy. It includes three new faces: Mrs Donna Faragher, Minister for Planning and Disability Services; Ms Andrea Mitchell, Minister for Mental Health and Child Protection; and Mr Sean L’Estrange, 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.
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.
The new Cabinet was sworn in on 30th March 2016.
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
Parliamentary 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