WA Premier to take on Defence Industries portfolio following Papalia’s retirement

He will also assume the tourism, trade and investment ministerial leadership role.

This new position is part of wider whole-of-government portfolio allocation changes following Papalia’s retirement.

Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation, Manufacturing, Skills and TAFE, Amber-Jade Sanderson, will take on the role as Assistant Minister for Defence Industries.

“My WA Labor government is laser-focused on the delivery of our priorities in jobs, health and housing,” said Premier Cook.

“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.

“In times like these, we need steady and experienced leadership and my government is the safe pair of hands who will always put WA first.

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“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.”

Paul Papalia resigned from the WA Parliament last week due to an immediate family member facing a serious illness.

He was first elected into the state’s government in 2007 following his 26-yearlong career in the military.

Throughout his military career, he became a Navy clearance diver, where he was able to serve within the counter-terrorist squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment.

“I leave knowing we’ve positioned WA at the vanguard of the nation’s defence future, supporting our men and women in uniform and creating opportunities for local industry, workers and generations to come,” Papalia said.