Hannah Beazley, the daughter of former federal Labor leader and diplomat Kim Beazley, will become a minister in the WA government.

December 7, 2023

The daughter of former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley has been elevated to the West Australian Cook government’s cabinet after a minor reshuffle.

Member for Victoria Park Hannah Beazley will fill the vacancy left by Bill Johnston, who stepped down as the mines and petroleum minister.

Premier Roger Cook said Ms Beazley would take on the local government and youth portfolios and assist the minister for training and workforce development.

“The Beazleys are synonymous with with Labor in Western Australia,” he said on Thursday.

“Her grandfather, her father, and now Hannah have had the opportunity to represent the people of Western Australia and I’m sure she’ll do a great job.”

In other changes, Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby will take on the energy portfolio.

Mr Cook will take responsibility for the hydrogen industry, as part of his State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade portfolio.

Responsibility for mines and petroleum will move to David Michael, who also oversees WA’s ports.

Simone McGurk will add industrial relations to her ministerial portfolios and Paul Papalia will take on the racing and gaming portfolio.

Opposition leader Shane Love said it was a timid reshuffle and there were no consequences for the ministers who had failed to adequately perform their duties.

Liberal leader Libby Mettam said there was too much power in the hands of too few ministers and it “was leading to poor decision making, sloppy legislation and was costing the state billions in cost overruns and blowouts”.

The cabinet will be sworn in at Government House on Friday.