The biggest cabinet reshuffle in the WA government's eight-year reign aims to shift the state's economic focus away from resources, as the debt-strained Liberals prepare for next year's election.
While most of the changes were foreshadowed - including two ministers being dumped - a surprise was Premier Colin Barnett taking on tourism, which has already switched hands three times since the 2013 poll.
The premier handballed state development to Bill Marmion, who passed on the mines and petroleum baton to newcomer Sean L'Estrange.
Mr Barnett said broadening the WA economy beyond resources was the focus of the new cabinet, with hopes tourism and agriculture will be the state's next big money-spinners.
The two-term leader - who has long flagged he will not serve a full four years if re-elected next March - said he took on tourism because he had had a close association with it over the past eight years.
That was through projects including the new Perth stadium and Elizabeth Quay, which had helped the city lose its "Dullsville" tag, he said, while singling out Broome and the Kimberley region as being on his radar as the new tourism minister.
Opposition tourism spokesman Paul Papalia said metropolitan developments such as those would not drive tourists to the state.
"This is all about Colin Barnett getting photo opportunities," Mr Papalia said, adding the important Perth Convention Bureau had its budget cut under the Liberals.
Another surprise in the reshuffle was Dean Nalder gaining the agriculture portfolio despite criticism of his performance as transport minister, including his changing views on how to improve metropolitan public transport and handling of the controversial Perth Freight Link.
Mr Barnett conceded rural Wagin-born Mr Nalder had had a rough start to his political career but he had a "natural background" in farming as his grandfather was previously WA's agriculture minister.
WAFarmers president Tony York said it was disappointing agriculture and transport weren't separate portfolios, and Mr Nalder's heavier workload would be "followed with interest".
The premier said it had been a significant reshuffle, with three new ministers, two new parliamentary secretaries and 11 portfolio changes.
He said the March 2017 state election would be a close race.
While it was always tough to win a third term, the opposition had "worked a bit harder" and "maybe the public tires of me a little bit".
"There will be a swing against the government," Mr Barnett said.
WA Labor leader Mark McGowan dismissed the changes as "just cosmetic".
"A few weeks ago he was saying the Liberal Party would win seats - the premier is all over the place," he said.
Share
