Updated ,first published
Member for Landsdale Daniel Pastorelli is known to be named as the new member of the state government’s cabinet, despite the newcomer being elected as an MP less than 18 months ago.
The elevation of former chief of staff to popular former prime minister Mark McGowan marks a rapid rise through the ranks for Pastorelli, who has also worked for current Labor leader Roger Cook and Deputy Prime Minister Rita Saffioti.
The decision, made by the Labor Council this afternoon, means Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna is expected to accept the position of Cabinet secretary, previously held by Pastorelli.
Several senior Labor sources have confirmed to this publication that Pastorelli is slated to be approved for the role.
While the Prime Minister has not yet announced the new duties, a decision is expected to take place at the end of the week following the resignation of the former Member of the Secret Port Paul Papalia.
Papalia held a number of ministerial roles, including emergency services, racing and gaming, veterans and defense sectors.
However, one of the biggest questions for Cook will be who will step into the role of correctional services, a position that has plagued the state government in recent years.
The portfolio had come under fire from government opposition in recent months following a damning report highlighting “systematic failures in many prisons” in WA.
The report, released last month by Care Services Inspector Eamon Ryanrevealed the dire conditions at Hakea, Casuarina and Melaleuca prisons, prompting Ryan to issue a show cause notice.
Is there a Tree swap on Secret Harbor cards?
Meanwhile, WA Labor hopes a long-time Warnbro resident who has worked with the federal government and oil and gas giant Woodside will be key to retaining Paul Papalia’s Secret Harbor seat in the upcoming by-election.
Premier Roger Cook announced Georgia Tree – who has been part of the Labor Party since 2013, and spent time working in the office of federal Resources Minister Madeleine King – as the new candidate on Thursday morning.
Tree, who has also worked in Woodside as a government relations worker, said he put his hand in the seat because of his belief in Labour’s policies and how they created opportunities for the community.
“I’m raising my hand because Labor built the Mandurah line. I couldn’t get to Uni without it, and now Labor is reducing the fare by $2.80 no matter where you live,” he said.
“Labor built Medicare – my mother’s chemical would have bankrupted our family without it – and now Labor is building a brand new hospital in Mandurah.
“Dad’s apprenticeship helped him change his life, and now Labor has made TAFE independent. That’s what Labor governments can do.”
Tree gave a direct answer to the open question when asked if he was pro-gas, given his work history, simply answering: “Yes”.
While recruitment may be gaining momentum on the left of politics, the Secret Harbor battle is emerging as a contest between Labour, the Liberals and One Nation – and these have no qualms about admitting they too are “pro-gas”.
Tree said he had met Papalia before – in his year 11 politics class.
“Besides the fact that he has made me feel very old, he is representative of everything that is good about this seat,” Papalia told a press conference.
“I feel old, but I’m also grateful to have had the opportunity I had, and I look forward to Georgia starting a long and successful career in my place.
“The best of Western Australia is represented in this electorate.”
Cook said the community knew Tree would “fight for the working people of Western Australia every day”.
“We are not taking any chances. We are working hard, we are fighting hard for the trust of the people we represent,” he said.
“We know that this is going to be a tough fight. Every by-election is a tough fight, every election is a tough fight. We know the people of this community expect us to succeed.”
In the past one Nation made it clear the Secret Harbor was in its place.
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has also acknowledged the threat of One Nation as his party seeks victory in Secret Harbor, but added that the greatest pressure rested with the Prime Minister.
“We expect that One Nation will take a large part in this by-election, and that doesn’t change anything for us,” Zempilas said.
Papalia said he expects “the same levels of questioning of candidates from other candidates when they come forward to contest this election”.
“When you talk about other people who may run in this by-election, remember that what they will be telling you is how bad everything is, and how Western Australia is a bad place, and you need to punish people in government or in power as a result,” he said.
“We’re the best place in the country, if not the world, and I just asked people to remember that when they’re considering their vote.”
Holly Thompson is a journalist for WAtoday, specializing in education and the environment.Connect through X or email address.
