Arabic version: كوك يعين باستوريلي في حكومة غرب أستراليا متجاوزًا محاولة النقابات
WA Premier Roger Cook used a so-called “captain’s call” to elevate Daniel Pastorelli into the WA ministry, promoting the former chief of staff just 15 months after he entered parliament.
According to ABC News, the vacancy followed the resignation of Paul Papalia and prompted a contest between Labor’s union-aligned factions that was effectively ended when Cook confirmed Pastorelli’s appointment.
The field had included Pastorelli, Kimberley MP Divina D’Anna and long-serving parliamentary secretary Samantha Rowe, who has been a parliamentary secretary since 2017. The episode began as a three-way contest and quickly narrowed to a single appointment.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union secretary Steve McCartney publicly pushed for D’Anna, arguing she would be the state’s first Indigenous female minister, and there was even a threat to put the matter to a vote of Labor MPs. The ABC report notes the AMWU had previously broken with its fellow left-faction partner, the United Workers Union, to back Cook for the premiership three years earlier.
Within hours the AMWU’s push was dropped and a deal was struck to proceed with Pastorelli’s promotion to the ministry while D’Anna was named cabinet secretary. Cook framed the decision as his responsibility as leader: “It is my job as the leader of the party to put together the team that I believe will best serve the interests of the government and the people that we serve,” he said.
Cook’s predecessor Mark McGowan endorsed the pick, saying, “Daniel is one of the most brilliant, kind, considered, compassionate people I’ve ever met. He will be a fantastic minister and a future Premier.” Pastorelli called the comments “very kind” and added, “The future Premier is standing right behind me, actually, and I’m looking forward to working with Roger for many years to come.”
Some MPs acknowledged tensions from the episode. Speaker Stephen Price described them as “little hiccups” and criticised the fact the dispute was played out in the media: “No one likes to hear us arguing amongst ourselves. We keep it inside the room and deal with it.” Housing Minister John Carey observed competition for spots was normal and reflected ambition within a talented caucus, noting he had waited five years after Labor won government to gain a cabinet berth.
Why this matters: the episode highlights the extent of the premier’s control over ministerial selection in WA Labor, the continuing influence of unions on factional contests, and the premium MPs place on outward unity after past party divisions — including the scars from the Rudd-Gillard-Rudd years. Personal ambition and the approach to the next election will continue to shape internal positioning.
What happens next: repairing any wounds left by this week, among MPs and unions, will be Cook’s key task over the months ahead.
Related sections: Australia/استراليا | Australian Capital Territory | Western Australia
