Premier Roger Cook of Western Australia has announced a comprehensive restructuring of the public sector, introducing an additional department and establishing two major agencies responsible for transportation, health, and housing infrastructure.

The changes were detailed during a press conference on Monday, signaling a shift in the operational framework of the state government.

One of the pivotal alterations includes renaming the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation to the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification.

This department will continue to manage state agreements, oversee major resource developments, and maintain Western Australia's investment and trade offices.

Concurrently, exploration functions will be absorbed into the existing Department of Mines and Petroleum.

Additionally, responsibilities pertaining to defense matters, particularly those related to the AUKUS security pact, will be centralized within a newly established Office of Defence Industries under the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet will also launch a new Office of Early Childhood and assume leadership in Aboriginal Affairs, while tourism-related functions are set to transition to the newly formed Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport.

A significant reorganization will see local government oversight, along with commerce, industry regulation, and safety, managed by a single agency.

The most substantial change is aimed at enhancing the government’s capacity for delivering major infrastructure projects.

This objective will be driven by the newly created Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery, which will coordinate the implementation of significant transport, health, and port developments.

Furthermore, the Department of Housing and Works will take on the responsibilities for construction, management, and maintenance of social housing, police stations, and educational institutions, transferring these roles from the Department of Finance.

Premier Cook responded to concerns that the restructuring represents a reversal of the previous government's changes led by Mark McGowan, which reduced the number of departments from 41 to 25. He emphasized the need for such reforms to address contemporary challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened geopolitical tensions, and increasing construction costs.

Cook asserted that it is essential for all levels of government to work collaboratively to meet upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Cook asserted that the restructuring process would not adversely affect the budget, a sentiment echoed by Treasurer Rita Saffioti.

Saffioti highlighted that the reforms aim to create centers of excellence in construction and contract management to better oversee infrastructure and housing initiatives, stating these new center would foster environments that are conducive to innovative projects and help retain skilled professionals within the public sector.

The implementation of these changes is scheduled to commence on July 1, 2025, with the transition expected to be completed by the end of that year.

However, the announcement has raised concerns among public sector employees, as noted by CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary Melanie Bray.

Bray indicated that the restructuring may lead to unease among thousands of public workers, asserting that the union would actively ensure their interests are prioritized in discussions throughout the coming year regarding the Cook Government's Machinery of Government changes.