The McKell Institute Western Australia is proud to announce the appointment of The Hon. Bill Johnston, former West Australian State Minister for Mines and Petroleum, Energy and Industrial Relations as the inaugural Chair of its WA Advisory Committee. Mr. Johnston will also take a seat on the McKell National Board.
Mr. Johnston brings unparalleled executive and policy expertise to McKell WA. As a senior minister in the McGowan and Cook Labor Governments, Mr. Johnston was responsible for steering Western Australia's pivot to renewable energy through record investments and grid transformation. He also introduced significant, impactful reforms that modernised and strengthened workers' rights across the State.
Mr. Johnston's appointment comes at a crucial time for the McKell Institute as it builds its presence in The West, following the launch of McKell WA with Premier Roger Cook in August 2025. Further, Mr Johnston's position on the National Board ensures the critical Western Australian perspective is represented at the highest level of strategic and policy discussions.
Quotes attributable to McKell Institute National Board Chair, Dan Walton
"We are thrilled to welcome Bill Johnston as Chair of the McKell Institute in Western Australia and to join our National Board. His deep policy mastery of the resources and energy portfolios—the very sectors driving WA's economy—is unparalleled. As McKell WA ramps up, Bill's leadership will be instrumental in forging our policy agenda and ensuring the WA perspective is heard nationally."
Quotes attributable to McKell WA Chair, The Hon. Bill Johnston
"I have long admired McKell's ability to bridge the gap between policy research and practical implementation. Western Australia is in a crucial phase of economic diversification, particularly in mining, energy, and renewables. I look forward to working with McKell's diverse membership base to generate the evidence-based solutions required to support the next era of growth in our State."
About us:
Established in 2011, the McKell Institute is a progressive research organisation dedicated to providing practical and innovative solutions to contemporary policy challenges. With branches across Australia, the Institute engages with leading academics, industry experts, and policymakers to influence positive change.
McKell WA is led by Perth-based Executive Director Jessica Bukowski. Ms Bukowski brings extensive corporate and public sector experience from her work with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd AC and leading ASX companies such as Fortescue, Origin Energy, and lithium and renewable energy producer Vulcan Energy.
