Bill Johnston to lose WA Corrective Services portfolio as Premier Roger Cook sets direction for Banksia Hill

Labor minister Bill Johnston looks set to lose Corrective Services in Roger Cook’s Cabinet reshuffle, as the new premier looks to stamp his authority on the trouble-plagued children’s detention centre at Banksia Hill. In other moves, soon-to-be deputy premier Rita Saffioti will not just become WA’s new treasurer this week – but is likely to keep her coveted Transport portfolio Amber-Jade Sanderson, who was outmanoeuvred by Mr Cook for the leadership of the ALP, is understood to be desperate to hang on to Health. It’s understood that Mr Cook will keep her in that portfolio to avoid further fallout out from going against the wishes of his own union and Ms Sanderson’s — the United Workers Union - who had had backed Ms Sanderson over him. UWU aligned MPs voted 17-11 in favour of Ms Sanderson being leader, but Mr Cook pushed forward with his premiership ambitions. “What we are doing is providing, strong stable government with renewed energy and with renewed focus and we will be making decisions in relation to the team with that in mind,” Mr Cook told The Sunday Times on Saturday. Both Mr Johnston and outgoing WA Premier Mark McGowan have talked tough on the detainees at Banksia Hill, saying there were no excuses for their actions which have seen several riots at the prison, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage. At one stage, Mr McGowan described the teenagers’ actions as a “form of terrorism”. “If you go into detention because you kill or rape someone or you commit multiple, multiple burglaries, steal cars, drive them at police officers, there has to be some consequence,” Mr McGowan said in May. “When you go into that detention, you need to accept and listen to the advice and instructions you are given.” Government sources say that behind the scenes, Mr Cook has for some time been advocating for a “softer approach” to the problems at Banksia Hill, believing there needed to be more discussions with stakeholders about rehabilitation, and community support to keep kids out of jail. He believed there needed to be a greater emphasis on rehabilitation, rather than punishment — and a separate remand centre for offenders. Sources said the removal of Mr Johnston as Minister for Corrective Services would signal to the public a new approach from the new premier. It’s understood Police Minister Paul Papalia and Stephen Dawson lead the list of contenders to take over as corrective services minister. Mr Johnston will still keep his position in the ministry, despite several of his colleagues telling The Sunday Times he was pulling the pin at the 2025 State election. A source said Mr Johnston was keen to shed Corrective Services, and concentrate on Energy. And John Quigley is also set to keep his job as Attorney-General. Desperate not to ignite a war with the United Workers Union, Mr Cook has apparently decided to keep Sue Ellery in the ministry despite her retirement in 2025. “There would be an internal war if Sue Ellery was thrown out of the ministry,” a source said. “Roger wants stability, that’s why he will also keep John.” Not since Geoff Gallop resigned as premier in 2006, citing depression, has there been a week in WA politics like this. Mr McGowan kept his decision to retire from politics a secret from his Cabinet, telling his ministers at a meeting on Monday that he was leaving. An hour later, at 12.45pm, he held a press conference to make the decision public. The announcement sparked a race to the premiership, involving Mr Cook and Ms Sanderson — both part of the left faction. Seventeen members of Mr Cook’s own union, the United Workers Union, voted for Ms Sanderson. In a shrewd move, Ms Saffioti joined forces with Mr Cook to provide a joint ticket — MPs aligned to the metal workers union as well as unaligned and right faction colleagues agreeing that a Cook-Saffioti leadership team would provide stability and was the best way forward. Although portfolios are decided by the party leader, factions and unions have a big say on who is part of a premier’s Cabinet. Mr McGowan was an unaligned MP, and it is understood that the left has agreed that David Michael — the member for Balcatta and member of the right faction, Progressive Right, should be elevated to the ministry. Kingsley MLA Jessica Stojkovski — touted as a future minister — is likely to miss out. Sources said Mr Michael, a former City of Stirling councillor, could be given local government — currently held by John Carey. Ms Saffioti is expected to shed planning — a portfolio that could go to Mr Carey.