Former City of Stirling councillor David Michael has become the newest member of WA's cabinet, with Roger Cook also endorsed by his party as the next premier at a Labor caucus meeting this morning.
Labor MPs met at parliament to formalise the replacement of Mark McGowan after his shock retirement last week.
After a three-way contest early last week, Mr Cook emerged as the only person set to nominate for the top job, with Transport Minister Rita Saffioti as his deputy.
Mr McGowan's resignation meant another MP needed to join cabinet, with Balcatta MP David Michael confirmed for the position by senior cabinet minister Sue Ellery ahead of the meeting.
Before entering politics in 2017, he served on the City of Stirling's council, telling parliament in his maiden speech that he was the city's youngest councillor when elected age 25.
He became cabinet secretary after the 2021 election.
"David brings new experience, discipline and a reinvigorated approach to the new cabinet," Mr Cook said in announcing his promotion.
Ms Ellery described Mr Michael as a "solid performer" with a "long experience in local government and in WA politics".
Kingsley MP Jessica Stojkovski will take Mr Michael's role as cabinet secretary, with Kimberley MP Davina D'Anna appointed as a new parliamentary secretary.
Cabinet reshuffle revealed tomorrow
The results of a cabinet reshuffle will be announced tomorrow, but Mr Cook hinted that Ms Saffioti may be able to take on the role of treasurer while remaining transport minister.
"Historically the treasurer's always had other portfolios, be it housing, transport, energy," he said.
"It has never been a standalone position and until fairly recently it was traditional that the premier would also be treasurer.
"Regardless of whatever portfolios we allocate, I know all my team will be applied to their portfolios."
Ms Saffioti said her energy levels were "very high".
"Anyone that's watched me over the last six years knows I am very committed to working hard and delivering for the state and that will never stop," she said.
"[I've got] very high energy levels, very enthusiastic and whatever role I get I will absolutely commit 100 per cent to that role."
Being transport minister comes with a significant workload as the government continues to deliver its suite of Metronet projects across the city.
But it has been balanced with the role of treasurer before, most recently in the Barnett Liberal government by Troy Buswell.
No bad blood
Today's meeting was little more than a formality, with Mr Cook and Ms Saffioti chosen to lead the party, after the leadership battle was resolved last week.
It also allowed Mr McGowan to farewell the caucus, with Mr Cook saying he had thanked MPs and spoken of the privilege of working with them.
Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson and Ms Saffioti had both flagged an interest in taking over the top job in the wake of Mr McGowan's departure.
Ms Sanderson secured an early win by getting the backing of one of the major unions behind the Labor Party, the United Workers Union, on Tuesday.
But she pulled out of the race later that day after Mr Cook earned the support of the other major left-faction union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, and the party's right faction.
As ministers arrived at parliament this morning, each denied that battle had left scars within the party.
"We're resilient," Housing Minister John Carey said on the way in.
"I'm really excited about the leadership, I'm feeling energised."
Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston described last week as a "contest between three talented people".
"Isn't it lucky that the Labor Party has those three talented people as well as many, many others," he said.
Mr Cook said the party was united behind him and Ms Saffioti.
"My message today was to get back to your jobs," he said.
"Obviously, we were all shocked by the sudden departure of Premier McGowan, but now's the time to provide stable government to the people of Western Australia with renewed focus and renewed energy."
McGowan signs off
Leaving parliament after the caucus meeting, Mr McGowan said he used the gathering to thank his colleagues and reflect on his three decades in public life.
"And [I] gave them a few messages about unity and working hard and always remembering it's an honour and a privilege to be a member of parliament," he said.
"The future's very bright, most successful state in the most successful country in the world."
"We're a very lucky people and we've got to continue to make sure that we take the state forward, make sure the state stays strong, successful, make sure everyone has a fair go in life."
In what he said was one of his final public appearances, Mr McGowan cautioned other states against challenging WA's GST share and said he did not expect his departure to attract so much attention.
"I actually thought it would just be a quiet thing and no one would take much notice, so I'm a bit surprised, so I'm very humbled and very gratified and very thankful," he said.
"I've had nearly 30 years of the spotlight and making decisions and making speeches and doing press conferences.
"That's a long time and I don't intend to do any more. I've really had enough, so I just want to go back to living an ordinary life."
Cook to be briefed on Banksia Hill
In his first press conference after being confirmed as leader last week, Mr Cook indicated he had his "own views" on the troubled Banksia Hill Detention Centre.
Asked what he would do differently, the incoming premier said he would take an initial briefing on the facility today, which currently houses about 87 detainees.
"I'm keen to understand the problems, the challenges and the opportunities that exist in that facility to make sure that we can provide the level of guidance and support that it needs," he said.
"Of those 87 kids, there's 87 different stories of the reason why they find themselves in this current circumstance.
"We will now need to make sure that we provide them with the discipline and the support that they need to get their lives back on the straight and narrow."
