Cook Reshuffles Cabinet, Dawson Keeps Science And Innovation

Premier Roger Cook has redrawn his Cabinet following the retirement of Paul Papalia, and Stephen Dawson has come through it retaining the Science and Innovation portfolio. Cue cheers and applause from the WA innovation ecosystem.

Dawson, Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council, keeps the same portfolio: Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; and the Kimberley. He is one of the few senior ministers whose responsibilities are unchanged in an announcement that moved portfolios across the economic team, justice, health, and emergency services.

The Premier takes on tourism, defence industries, and diversification

The biggest change is that Cook will assume responsibility for Defence Industries, with the stated aim of building Western Australia into the largest naval maintenance and shipbuilding hub in the southern hemisphere. He also takes on the Tourism, Trade and Investment portfolio and retains Economic Diversification.

“The portfolios I’ve announced today deliver a strong economic team that will ensure we can seize the many opportunities in front of us, and withstand current and future global challenges,” Cook said.

Amber-Jade Sanderson will support him as Assistant Minister for Defence Industries while keeping Energy and Decarbonisation, Manufacturing, and Skills and TAFE. Deputy Premier and Treasurer Rita Saffioti takes an expanded Transport and Major Infrastructure portfolio that now covers the common user infrastructure needed to support the defence supply chain, with John Carey as her assistant minister.

State Development moves to David Michael, who adds it to Finance, Electoral Affairs, and Goldfields-Esperance. New minister Daniel Pastorelli picks up Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, as well as Water.

What changes elsewhere

Attorney General Tony Buti has been appointed Corrective Services Minister, keeping Commerce and Tertiary and International Education. Reece Whitby adds Emergency Services to Police. Health and Mental Health Minister Meredith Hammat takes on Preventative Health, with immunisation targets named as the priority. Jessica Stojkovski assumes Road Safety and Multicultural Interests, Don Punch becomes Racing and Gaming Minister, and Matthew Swinbourn adds Climate Resilience to Environment.

Cook repeatedly returned to economic diversification when announcing the new arrangements, describing the changes as a redoubling of efforts to broaden the state economy and create jobs.

“Underscoring those priorities is diversifying the WA economy so that it remains the strongest in the nation, and the best place in the world to get a quality job,” he said.

Ministers will be sworn in at Government House on Monday morning, ahead of the first meeting of the new Cabinet.