WA: Carpenter announces major frontbench reshuffle

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2006
WA: Carpenter announces major frontbench reshuffle

West Australian Premier ALAN CARPENTER has announced a major reshuffle of his frontbench.

Embattled minister LJILJANNA RAVLICH has been removed from the education portfolio
which goes to Environment Minister MARK MCGOWAN.

The environment portfolio will shift to junior minister TONY MCCRAE .. who also takes
on responsibility for the new portfolio of climate change and retains disability services.

Ms RAVLICH has been given the more junior portfolios of multicultural interests and
citizenship .. youth and government enterprises.

Mr CARPENTER acknowledged it's been a tough year for Ms RAVLICH but denies she had
been out of her depth in education.

JOHN BOWLER has lost the resources portfolio to FRANCIS LOGAN .. who retains responsibility
for energy and also takes on industry and enterprises.

Mr CARPENTER says Mr BOWLER wasn't demoted because of perceived links to disgraced
former premier BRIAN BURKE .. labelling it smear and innuendo.

Mr BOWLER has been given responsibility for local government .. employment protection
and racing and gaming.

SHEILA MCHALE lost the indigenous affairs portfolio to MICHELLE ROBERTS .. but keeps
tourism and culture and the arts.

ERIC RIPPER will stay on as deputy and will look after treasury as well as taking over
responsibility for state development from Mr CARPENTER.

Mr CARPENTER has taken on responsibilities for trade .. innovation and science.

No new faces were elevated to the frontbench.

The new ministers will be sworn in later this afternoon.

AAP RTV ag/els/bart

KEYWORD: RESHUFFLE WA (PERTH)

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