# Government of Western Australia

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.

## Executive and judicial powers

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.
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

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

| Office | Minister |
| 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 |