Cook takes control of Aboriginal affairs

The WA State government has announced a major overhaul of the public sector with the Department of Premier and Cabinet taking the lead role in Aboriginal affairs.

“We need all levels of government pulling in the same direction … if we are to face the challenges ahead of us and seize the opportunities,” Premier Cook said.

The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation will become the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification and will continue to have oversight of state agreements, major resource developments and WA’s investment and trade offices.

Exploration will be managed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum, and responsibilities for defence will be managed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The transition is expected to begin on July 1, 2025 and will take about a year to be completed.