Indigenous MP overlooked as ex-staffer gets top job

By AARON BUNCH

An Indigenous Labor politician has been overlooked for a State cabinet position in favour of former premier Mark McGowan’s right-hand man.

First-term Western Australian MP Daniel Pastorelli, 38, was promoted to cabinet after a Labor caucus meeting.

Premier Roger Cook batted away questions about whether the appointment was a captain’s call.

“In the Labor Party, it is the caucus that makes the decisions about the makeup of the cabinet,” he told reporters.

Some in WA Labor’s left faction had wanted the member for Kimberley, Divina D’Anna, to be promoted and become the State’s first Indigenous female minister.

Daniel Pastorelli is replacing the retiring Paul Papalia.

Ms D’Anna was instead appointed to the cabinet secretary position.

“I’m delighted and proud that Divina will be sitting around the table with cabinet ministers deliberating as an equal on the decisions of cabinet,” Mr Cook said.

Multiple current ministers in the Cook government, including Mr Pastorelli, served as cabinet secretary before being promoted to cabinet.

“I’ll let you draw your own conclusions,” Mr Cook said.

Mr Cook said he would announce portfolio allocations at a later date.

Mr Pastorelli, who has been tipped as a future premier, was a former chief of staff to Mr McGowan and Mr Cook.

“I’ve seen firsthand how hard Daniel works and tackles complex challenges,” Mr Cook said.

“We know that he’s bringing an incredible amount of experience and talent to my team.”

Roger Cook says he has seen how hard Daniel Pastorelli works “and tackles complex challenges”. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Mr Pastorelli was elected as the member for Landsdale in March 2025.

“I am deeply honoured and privileged to be elected as a new minister,” he said.

“I know I’ve got big shoes to fill.”

The cabinet position was vacated earlier in the week when member for Secret Harbour Paul Papalia quit.

Mr Papalia served in several ministerial roles, including corrective services, emergency services, racing and gaming, veterans and defence industries.

The party on Thursday announced Georgia Tree would be its candidate in the looming Secret Harbour by-election, triggered by Mr Papalia’s resignation.

Ms Tree is also a former political staffer, having worked in the office of federal Resources Minister Madeleine King.

The by-election is likely to be held on August 29.

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