Government of Western Australia

Summary

The Government of Western Australia is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of Western Australia. It is also commonly referred to as the WA Government or the Western Australian Government. The Government of Western Australia, a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, was formed in 1890 as prescribed in its Constitution, as amended from time to time. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, Western Australia has been a state of the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Constitution of Australia regulates its relationship with the Commonwealth. Under the Australian Constitution, Western Australia ceded legislative and judicial supremacy to the Commonwealth, but retained powers in all matters not in conflict with the Commonwealth.

Government of Western Australia
State Government
Logo of the Western Australian Government and its agencies Coat of arms of the State of Western Australia
The Western Australia Government logo used to corporately identity the executive government and its agencies (left), and the coat of arms of Western Australia, used across the government (right)
Formation
Founding documentConstitution of Western Australia
State Western Australia
Country Australia
Websitewa.gov.au
Crown
Head of state (sovereign)Charles III
Vice-regal representativeGovernor Chris Dawson
SeatGovernment House
Legislative branch
LegislatureParliament of Western Australia
Meeting placeParliament House
Executive branch
Head of GovernmentPremier Roger Cook
Main bodyWestern Australian Ministry
Appointed byGovernor on behalf of the King
HeadquartersDumas House
Main organExecutive Council
Departments18 departments
Judicial branch
CourtSupreme Court
SeatDavid Malcolm Justice Centre[1]

History edit

Executive and judicial powers edit

Western Australia is governed according to the principles of the Westminster system, a form of parliamentary government based on the model of the United Kingdom. Legislative power rests with the Parliament of Western Australia, which consists of King Charles III, represented by the Governor of Western Australia, and the two Houses, the Western Australian Legislative Council (the upper house) and the Western Australian Legislative Assembly (the lower house). Executive power rests formally with the Executive Council, which consists of all ministers and is presided over by the governor.[2]

The Governor, as representative of the Crown, is the formal repository of power, which is exercised by him or her on the advice of the Premier of Western Australia and the Cabinet. The Premier and Ministers are appointed by the Governor, and hold office by virtue of their ability to command the support of a majority of members of the Legislative Assembly. Judicial power is exercised by the Supreme Court of Western Australia and a system of subordinate courts, but the High Court of Australia and other federal courts have overriding jurisdiction on matters which fall under the ambit of the Australian Constitution.

Ministries edit

As of 6 November 2023, the following individuals serve as government ministers, at the pleasure of the King, represented by the Governor of Western Australia. All ministers and are members of the Parliament of Western Australia.

Current composition edit

Office Minister Image

Premier
Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade
Minister for Public Sector Management
Minister for Federal-State Relations

Roger Cook MLA  

Deputy Premier
Treasurer
Minister for Transport
Minister for Tourism

Rita Saffioti MLA

Minister for Finance
Minister for Commerce
Minister for Women's Interests

Sue Ellery MLC  

Minister for Emergency Services
Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy
Minister for Science
Minister for Medical Research
Minister assisting the Minister for State and Industry Development, Jobs and Trade

Stephen Dawson MLC  

Minister for Culture and the Arts
Minister for Sport and Recreation
Minister for International Education
Minister for Heritage

David Templeman MLA

Attorney-General
Minister for Electoral Affairs

John Quigley MLA

Minister for Police
Minister for Corrective Services
Minister for Racing and Gaming
Minister for Defence Industry
Minister for Veterans Issues

Paul Papalia MLA

Minister for Hydrogen Energy

Bill Johnston MLA

Minister for Education
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests

Tony Buti MLA  

Minister for Training and Workforce Development
Minister for Water
Minister for Industrial Relations

Simone McGurk MLA  

Minister for Health
Minister for Mental Health

Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA

Minister for Planning
Minister for Lands
Minister for Housing
Minister for Homelessness

John Carey MLA  

Minister for Regional Development
Minister for Disability Services
Minister for Fisheries
Minister for Seniors and Ageing
Minister for Volunteering

Don Punch MLA

Minister for Energy
Minister for Environment
Minister for Climate Change

Reece Whitby MLA

Minister for Early Childhood Education
Minister for Child Protection
Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence
Minister for Community Services

Sabine Winton MLA

Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Minister for Ports
Minister for Road Safety
Minister assisting the Minister for Transport

David Michael MLA

Minister for Local Government
Minister for Youth
Minister assisting the Minister for Training and Workforce Development

Hannah Beazley MLA

Minister for Agriculture and Food
Minister for Forestry
Minister for Small Business

Jackie Jarvis MLC
Cabinet Secretary Jessica Stojkovski MLA

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Find Us". Supreme Court of Western Australia. 28 December 2023.
  2. ^ FINAL – Executive Council Guidelines – Feb 2022 (PDF) (2 ed.). Government of Western Australia. 4 February 2021. p. 4. Retrieved 22 October 2023.

External links edit

  • Government of Western Australia website
  • Constitution ACT 1889 (WA)
  • The Parliament of Western Australia website
  • The Premier of Western Australia website