And then there were five
Team approach initiated for Health portfolio
The emphatic victory by WA Labor at the recent State Election signalled a new approach to health from Premier Roger Cook. As a former health minister himself, the premier put his own stamp on the portfolio, with a novel and unexpected approach involving a sub-committee of five ministers.
Hon Meredith Hammat MLA has been appointed as Minister for Health and Mental Health, and will lead the new team as a first-time minister. We wish her well in the challenging portfolio and thank outgoing Minister Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA for her service to health, wishing her all the best in her new Cabinet role.
Hon Stephen Dawson MLC has been appointed as Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley, maintaining his oversight of the Medical Research portfolio.
The Premier has introduced new portfolios of Preventative Health, Health Infrastructure, and Aged Care and Seniors.
The AMA (WA) congratulates
Hon Meredith Hammat MLA
Minister for Health; Mental Health
Hon Stephen Dawson MLC
Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley
Hon Sabine Winton MLA
Minister for Education; Early Childhood; Preventative Health; Wheatbelt
Hon John Carey MLA
Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure
Hon Simone McGurk MLA
Minister for Creative Industries; Heritage; Industrial Relations; Aged Care and Seniors; Women
We also acknowledge the new parliamentary secretaries supporting the health portfolios:
Hon Pierre Yang MLC
Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Meredith Hammat
Lisa O’Malley MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Stephen Dawson
Emily Hamilton MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Sabine Winton
Dr Katrina Stratton MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to Minister John Carey
Cassie Rowe MLA
Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Simone McGurk
For his part, Premier Roger Cook reiterated that “Western Australia has a world-class health care system”.
“However, our hospital system has faced significant pressures in recent years, particularly due to WA’s record population growth and a shortage of GP appointments,” he said.
“By taking a team approach to health, we can pursue our government’s vision for Western Australia to be the healthiest state in the nation.”
AMA (WA) President Dr Michael Page reinforced the AMA (WA)’s longstanding advocacy for better health infrastructure, increased hospital capacity, and system-wide improvements to support doctors and achieve better patient outcomes.
“Reducing demand on our hospitals results in reducing the stress on our overworked doctors, and therefore makes our hospital system more productive, and improves health outcomes for the people of Western Australia.”
Dr Page made his views on accountability clear.
“We expect that the various ministers with responsibility for different aspects of the health system will work constructively together. Overall leadership and responsibility should rest with the Minister for Health, but the Premier will be accountable if this new arrangement doesn’t deliver for Western Australian patients,” he said.
