❓ A parliamentary question scrutinising the Premier's decision not to appoint the Member for Kimberley as Aboriginal Affairs Minister and the appointment of a separate Minister for Kimberley, implying a lack of confidence. The Premier's response defends the appointments, citing the Member for Kimberley's new role and the government's regional commitment.
AnsweredQoN 14Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Member for Kimberley
14. Hon Neil Thomson to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier :
I refer to the
article by Joe Spagnolo of 2 March 2025, which states:
Multiple sources have told the Sunday
Times that the popular 49-year-old headed a list of WA Labor MPs that would seriously
be considered for a Cabinet promotion if Roger Cook won Saturday's election.
It's widely speculated within Labor
political circles that if promoted to Cabinet, Ms D'Anna could become the first
Indigenous female to be appointed WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister.
(1) Can the minister explain to the people of the
Kimberley why the member for Kimberley was not appointed as Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs?
(2) Can the Premier explain why the Premier has
also appointed a Minister for Kimberley—Hon Stephen Dawson?
(3) Do these two appointments show a lack of
confidence in the member for Kimberley to do her job and represent the people
of the Kimberley?
(4) Was the media backgrounding by the Labor Party
to Mr Spagnolo just a political ploy to improve the member's chances at the
2025 election?
14. Hon Neil Thomson to the Leader of the House
representing the Premier :
I refer to the
article by Joe Spagnolo of 2 March 2025, which states:
Multiple sources have told the Sunday
Times that the popular 49-year-old headed a list of WA Labor MPs that would seriously
be considered for a Cabinet promotion if Roger Cook won Saturday's election.
It's widely speculated within Labor
political circles that if promoted to Cabinet, Ms D'Anna could become the first
Indigenous female to be appointed WA Aboriginal Affairs Minister.
(1) Can the minister explain to the people of the
Kimberley why the member for Kimberley was not appointed as Minister for
Aboriginal Affairs?
(2) Can the Premier explain why the Premier has
also appointed a Minister for Kimberley—Hon Stephen Dawson?
(3) Do these two appointments show a lack of
confidence in the member for Kimberley to do her job and represent the people
of the Kimberley?
(4) Was the media backgrounding by the Labor Party
to Mr Spagnolo just a political ploy to improve the member's chances at the
2025 election?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question.
(1)–(4) The member for Kimberley, who was
resoundingly re-elected by the people of the Kimberley at the 2025 state
election, has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier in
recognition of her talent and strong work ethic. The appointment of a dedicated
minister for each region across the state demonstrates the government's
commitment to ensuring that regional communities have access to local job
opportunities as well as the services and infrastructure that they need.
for the question.
(1)–(4) The member for Kimberley, who was
resoundingly re-elected by the people of the Kimberley at the 2025 state
election, has been appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier in
recognition of her talent and strong work ethic. The appointment of a dedicated
minister for each region across the state demonstrates the government's
commitment to ensuring that regional communities have access to local job
opportunities as well as the services and infrastructure that they need.
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