- Minister Paul Papalia to retire from politics after 19 years
Premier Roger Cook has paid tribute to Minister Paul Papalia, who today announced he will retire from State Parliament due to an immediate family member's serious illness.
Prior to entering Parliament, Minister Papalia served in the military for 26 years. As a Navy clearance diver, he served in the counter terrorist squadron of the Special Air Service Regiment and was deployed on operations to Iraq on two occasions.
Minister Papalia was elected to Parliament representing Peel in 2007 in a by-election and has earned a reputation as one of the State Government's most trusted Ministers, called upon to lead complex portfolios and deliver reforms in areas critical to Western Australia's future.
Serving as a Cabinet Minister for close to a decade, perhaps Minister Papalia's most enduring contributionhas been as the State's first Defence Issues Minister - later Defence Industries Minister. Assuming the role in 2017, he took the sector from being completely unrepresented,to a key driver of the economy, on its way to becoming the State'ssecond biggest sector.
Significantly, he's helped secure major AUKUS opportunities, expanded local industry capability and highlighted WA's importance in the Indo-Pacific, created the Western Defence Forge defence manufacturing hub and set the sector up to grow into the State's second largest behind resources.
As Tourism Minister, he inherited the worst out-of-State visitor numbers on record and through the elevation ofthe quokka selfie, drove statisticsto a record highin only two years.
Minister Papalia championed destination marketing campaigns that elevated the State onto a global stage. His role in facilitating the now world-famous Rottnest Island 'quokka selfie' trend with Roger Federer, Matt Damon and Chris Hemsworth became one of Western Australia's most successful tourism moments.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, heplayed a key role as Tourism,Small Business,and Racing and Gaming Minister insupporting the vulnerabletourism, hospitality and small business sectorsthrough the greatest disruption encountered thislifetime.
Minister Papalia was appointedPolice Minister in 2021and undertook anextensive range of initiatives including: creation of a Police Compensation Scheme, passing Firearm Prohibition Order and Border Search Arealaws, overseeing technological transformation of policing - including a dedicated State Operational Command Centre,roll-out of low earth orbit communications, creation of knife scan laws and the first complete rewrite of the Firearms Act in 50 years.
Minister Papalia assumedresponsibility for the Corrective Services portfolio in mid-2023 at a time when juveniledetention was suffering widespread disruptionand staff were enduringserious assaults daily. He appointed new leadership,restored orderand drovethe growth of out-of-cell hours and rehabilitation support to the highest levels inmore than a decade resulting in a safe workplace and reduction in reoffending.
Working with industry, heoversaw creation of the Banned Drinkers Register and Takeaway Alcohol Management System that has been rolled out in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Eastern Goldfields and Mid West, resulting in reduction in alcohol fuelled domestic violence and other crime.
As a veteran himself, Minister Papalia took State support of veterans to a new high, delivering a fourfold increase in funding to the ANZAC Day Trust. He backed the Andrew Russell Veteran Living Program, supported the creation of a WA psychological assistance dog program, delivered a veteran employment portal and established a veterans' support program in prisons.
As Emergency Services Minister, he oversaw responses to some of Western Australia's most significant emergencies, including major bushfires, storms, floods and tropical cyclones.
A special meeting of the State Parliamentary Labor Party caucus will be held on Friday, 10 July to elect a new member of the Cabinet.
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will liaise with the Electoral Commissioner on possible dates for a by-election in Secret Harbour.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"On behalf of my government, I thank Paul for his extraordinary service and friendship.
"Paul has played a leading role in strengthening community safety, supporting our veterans and championing Western Australia's defence industries.
'His legacy can be seen everywhere from stronger firearm laws and safer communities to a growing defence industry and a stronger voice for veterans and their families.
"After a lifetime of service to his country, his community and Western Australia, it is entirely fitting that he is now stepping back to support a loved one when they need him most."
As stated by Emergency Services, Corrective Services, Defence Industries, Veterans and Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia:
"I leave knowing we've positioned WA at the vanguard of the nation's defence future, supporting our men and women in uniform and creating opportunities for local industry, workers and generations to come.
"Throughout my career I have never shied away from difficult challenges. The reforms we delivered were often complex, but they were always driven by a determination to leave Western Australia stronger.
"Public service demands sacrifices, not only from those who serve but from the families who support them. It's now my turn to be there for the people who have always been there for me.
"I leave Parliament much in the same way I entered it, grateful for the opportunity to serve. I am proud of what's been achieved and I am humbled by the trust Western Australians have placed in me."
