❓ Opposition MP questions the rationale behind assigning regional development responsibilities to metropolitan-based ministers and seeks clarification on their roles, support, and relationship to the Minister for Regional Development. The Premier's office provides a general response emphasizing the government's commitment to regional communities.
AnsweredQoN 59Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Ministerial responsibilities
59. Hon Tjorn Sibma to the Minister for Regional Development :
I refer to the Minister for Pilbara being the member for
Morley; the Minister for Great Southern being the member for Baldivis; the
Minister for Wheatbelt being the member for Wanneroo; the Minister for
Goldfields–Esperance being the member for Balcatta; the Minister for
Gascoyne being the member for Victoria Park; and the Minister for Peel being
the member for Kingsley.
(1) What rationale guided the allocation of those
geographical areas of responsibility to metropolitan-based members?
(2) Are these ministers subordinate to the Minister
for Regional Development or can they act without the minister's approval?
(3) Which departmental assets and service delivery
areas will support those ministers and at what cost?
(4) How does the minister's role as Minister for
Regional Development correspond to his other portfolio responsibility as
Minister for Kimberley?
59. Hon Tjorn Sibma to the Minister for Regional Development :
I refer to the Minister for Pilbara being the member for
Morley; the Minister for Great Southern being the member for Baldivis; the
Minister for Wheatbelt being the member for Wanneroo; the Minister for
Goldfields–Esperance being the member for Balcatta; the Minister for
Gascoyne being the member for Victoria Park; and the Minister for Peel being
the member for Kingsley.
(1) What rationale guided the allocation of those
geographical areas of responsibility to metropolitan-based members?
(2) Are these ministers subordinate to the Minister
for Regional Development or can they act without the minister's approval?
(3) Which departmental assets and service delivery
areas will support those ministers and at what cost?
(4) How does the minister's role as Minister for
Regional Development correspond to his other portfolio responsibility as
Minister for Kimberley?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. This was referred to the Premier yesterday, so the answer is provided
on the Premier's behalf.
(1)–(4) Regional communities are a key
focus of the new Cook cabinet, with the introduction of a dedicated minister
for each region. The primary responsibility of each minister will be to ensure
regional communities have access to local job opportunities as well as the
services and infrastructure they need. This supports the Premier's expectation
that cabinet remains connected to the needs of regional Western Australians.
The Minister
for Regional Development is responsible for the administration of the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's regional
development functions and regional development commissions. However, regional
development commissions will work closely with the ministers for each region to
ensure they are supported in their roles to advocate for their region in
government.
question. This was referred to the Premier yesterday, so the answer is provided
on the Premier's behalf.
(1)–(4) Regional communities are a key
focus of the new Cook cabinet, with the introduction of a dedicated minister
for each region. The primary responsibility of each minister will be to ensure
regional communities have access to local job opportunities as well as the
services and infrastructure they need. This supports the Premier's expectation
that cabinet remains connected to the needs of regional Western Australians.
The Minister
for Regional Development is responsible for the administration of the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's regional
development functions and regional development commissions. However, regional
development commissions will work closely with the ministers for each region to
ensure they are supported in their roles to advocate for their region in
government.
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