Don Punch adds volunteering to portfolio as Jodie Hanns loses key role in State ministerial reshuffle

It has been a mixed outcome for South West MPs following the State Government’s Cabinet shakeup on Wednesday.

Incoming Premier Roger Cook put his stamp on the Ministry with a number of changes being made as he replaces Mark McGowan in the top job.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch will now carry the workload of five portfolios after he gained volunteering from Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson.

He will perform the duties alongside roles as minister for disability services, seniors and ageing, regional development and fisheries.

It is the second consecutive reshuffle in which Mr Punch has added ministerial portfolios.

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns has lost her role as parliamentary secretary to the Premier, with Mr Cook choosing Jessica Stojkovski and Jessica Shaw to jointly step into the position.

The position, which Ms Hanns had held since December, allowed her to stand in for Mr McGowan and carry out his parliamentary roles if he was absent.

She will now serve as parliamentary secretary to Mr Dawson, whose other portfolios include science, medical research and innovation.

South West Region MLC Jackie Jarvis comes out of the reshuffle retaining her positions as Minister for Agriculture, forestry and small business.

The first-term parliamentarian joined Cabinet in December after Alannah MacTiernan stepped down from her portfolios ahead of her retirement.

Some of the other changes include Energy Minister Bill Johnston losing the corrective services portfolio to Police Minister Paul Papalia, incoming Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti taking on the role of Treasurer and Tourism Minister alongside transport, and Balcatta MLA David Michael joining Cabinet as Minister for Local Government, ports and road safety.

Mr Cook described his revamped Cabinet as one of energy, experience and stability.

“I will be leading a united and responsible team which is ready to take our State forward on the issues that matter to Western Australians,” he said.