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'Humbled' new WA premier moves on jobs

Mark McGowan is officially Western Australia's 30th premier and has already contacted the prime minister to increase access to jobs for locals.

New WA Premier Mark McGowan with his family
WA Labor leader Mark McGowan has been sworn in as the state's 30th premier at Government House. (AAP)

Mark McGowan has asked Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to remove Perth from the regional sponsored migration scheme, hours after being officially sworn in as Western Australia's 30th premier.

The new leader said his first move as premier would make it easier for locals to find work, as it would remove a pathway for overseas workers to obtain a visa.

He said he would also be reviewing the state's migration occupation list which fast-tracks overseas workers into jobs, to make it relevant to the current market.

The new ministry will be debriefed by Treasury and the department of premier and cabinet on Monday, where they will be privy to the state's troubled finances.

Mr McGowan led Labor to a landslide election win over Colin Barnett's Liberal government last weekend, claiming 41 seats in the 59-seat parliament.

He and his 16 ministers were sworn in on Friday morning at Government House by governor Kerry Sanderson.

"I'm very excited, I'm very humbled, I'm very grateful," he said after the ceremony.

"It's been a long road to get there, but we are fully aware of the responsibility and the obligations that are now on us."

Ben Wyatt made history as Australia's first indigenous treasurer while also taking on the finance, energy and Aboriginal affairs portfolios.

The ministry, which Mr McGowan had to trim from 20 in opposition to 17 in government, sees Alannah MacTiernan parachuted in to take on regional development, agriculture and food, and assist the premier in his capacity as minister for state development, jobs and trade.

New Attorney-General John Quigley said his first priorities are to lift the statute of limitations for victims of child sex abuse seeking compensation and introduce "no body, no parole" laws for convicted murderers.

Seven Barnett ministers lost their seats last Saturday, including former WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls, who lost Pilbara to Labor's Kevin Michel.

Deputy WA Liberals leader Liza Harvey, who held on to her seat of Scarborough, admitted her party led a "terrible campaign" and said the result was a "bloodbath".

Labor claimed Joondalup on Thursday, taking their total to 41, with Kalgoorlie remaining the last undecided electorate in the state.

It will reportedly be determined on preferences as it's too close to call between Liberal Kyran O'Donnell, the Nationals' Tony Crook and Labor's Darren Forster.


3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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