Is Bill Johnston’s decision to step down a chance for Cook to own Cabinet and bring on Labor’s Gen Next?

Bill Johnston’s decision to pull the pin on his ministerial career — 16 months before he retires from politics in 2025 — has opened up a can of worms, with ambitious MPs now asking: Who else should retire? The Mines Minister’s exodus from politics at the next election in 2025 was Parliament’s worst-kept secret. The one-time ALP state secretary had let it be known to colleagues months ago that he wanted out and would retire at the next poll. But what wasn’t known — except by former premier Mark McGowan and his heir Roger Cook — was that Mr Johnston would step down from Cabinet at the end of this year, the Cannington MLA making the announcement on Thursday, the last sitting day of the WA Parliament. “Everyone knew he was leaving. But people thought he’d be hanging around Cabinet until the election,” a Labor source said. “Not even his staff knew he was resigning from Cabinet.” Mr Johnston’ s exodus from Cabinet is welcome news to career-hungry backbenchers who want a seat at the Cabinet table on the 14th floor of Dumas House — and a $294,000 pay packet instead of the $166,000 they earn each year as an MP. But one change in Cabinet this Christmas won’t be enough to placate salivating MPs, who are circling like seagulls eyeing off a piece of bread on the Cottesloe foreshore. The spotlight now shines on other Ministers, namely Attorney-General John Quigley and Finance Minister Sue Ellery who have had lucrative Cabinet gigs since Labor won power in 2017. Their gigs as ministers are realistically up for grabs. The movements of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Michelle Roberts, are also being carefully watched by backbenchers. If Ms Roberts retires from politics at the next election, Sport and Recreation Minister Templeman — the parliamentary balladeer — is a shoe-in to get her job, opening up another spot in Cabinet. “David would like Michelle’s job. He is desperate to be Speaker,” a source said. “It’s well-known he wanted the Speaker’s job last time around. But there is strong speculation Michelle will go around again.” Ms Ellery has already said she is retiring from politics in 2025 but wants to remain in Cabinet until then. Some say she should follow Mr Johnston’s lead and retire from Cabinet now rather than continue on as a Minister until she departs at the next election. An integral part of the powerful Left faction and United Workers Union, Ms Ellery is seen as somewhat of a protected species, heavily backed by Mr McGowan and the current Premier. Mr Cook belongs to the same faction as Ms Ellery. “There are people who are saying she should go,” a source said. “Given Bill has resigned from Cabinet, maybe it’s time for her to go. “But unless she says she is resigning from Cabinet, Roger won’t force it.” Ms Ellery also has her fans. Some Labor colleagues say her political nouse was vital as Labor tries to win a third term of government. “She is a real heavy lifter,” a source said. “Sue is dealing with key infrastructure and a really challenged residential construction and housing industry as Commerce Minister.” In a statement released to The Sunday Times on Saturday, Ms Ellery made her political intentions clear: no way is she giving up her seat around the Cabinet table. ““There is no change to my plans and I will continue to play my part in the Cook Cabinet, in particular my role as leader of the Legislative Council,” Ms Ellery said. “I’ll be working hard to ensure the re-election of the Cook Government at the next election.” Mr Quigley is seen as either a genius or slightly mad, depending on the day. His performance in 2022 was average, at best. But in 2023, there have been glimpses of the Quigley of old. Mr Quigley, 75, works hard. Bloody hard. But just like Ms Ellery, he is seen as a protected species who some Labor insiders believe should move on for generational change. “Eight years as a Cabinet minister (once the 2025 election comes around) is a fair stretch,” a source said. “There is talk he should resign from Cabinet and give someone else a go.” But if any Labor MP thinks Mr Quigley is departing for a life in retirement, they are likely to be sorely disappointed. Another Labor source said he wanted to not only contest the next election, but remain AG until the 2029 poll — if Labor wins the next election. That would take him to 80. “He has no intention of resigning,” a source said. “Being AG is his life.” Mr Quigley, in a statement to The Sunday Times, refused to buy into speculation about his future, saying: “My sole focus is to deliver on my responsibilities as the Attorney-General, and I will continue to work hard on implementing law reform and policies to bring about better outcomes for the people of WA. “I have a comprehensive law reform agenda in front of me, along with representing the people of my electorate and playing my role in helping the Cook-Labor Government be re-elected in 2025.” Predictably, Mr Cook on Saturday threw his support behind Mr Quigley and Ms Ellery. “As the Leader of the Government in the Upper House, Sue Ellery plays a crucial role and I want to see her continue to play that role, along with her portfolio responsibilities, as our Government delivers for Western Australians,” Mr Cook said. “John Quigley has a comprehensive law reform agenda still ahead of him and he is a key member of our team.” The names of Labor MPs in line to be ministers are always the same — Sam Rowe, Cassie Rowe, Hannah Beazley, Jessica Stojkovski, and David Scaife are always in the mix. As Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet, Ms Stojkovski would usually be the most likely replacement for Johnston. But Labor is ruled by unions and factions who demand their aligned MPs get their fair share of the chocolate biscuits. Because Mr Johnston is from the Progressive Right, the ‘like-for-like’ principle means someone else from that Right faction will probably get the gig. And sources on Saturday pointed to Sam Rowe as the front-runner. Hannah Beazley, daughter of Labor god Kim Beazley, has always been touted as being a WA Labor minister at some stage. So it’s out of her and Ms Rowe as to who gets a ministerial gig. Labor is wary that with an election now only 16 months away, the party could not be at war over factions. As one source put it: “We want this to be clean and easy.” Mr Cook has inherited Mark McGowan’s Cabinet. He now has a chance to take his selection of ministers to the 2025 election — to put his stamp on the ministry. On Saturday, Mr Cook wasn’t buying into who should replace Mr Johnston in Cabinet — not publicly anyway. “There will be a special Caucus meeting on Thursday to elect a new minister, with several worthy candidates who are more than capable of making a significant contribution for the benefit of Western Australians,” Mr Cook told The Sunday Times. And as for whether this would be the ministerial team he took to the election, Mr Cook said: “The refreshed Cabinet will have the energy and experience required to deliver for all Western Australians in 2024 and beyond. My team is focused on doing what’s right for WA. “My immediate focus is National Cabinet in Canberra on Wednesday where I’ll be standing up for WA.”