WA government minister Dave Kelly has announced he is standing down from cabinet, at the request of Premier Mark McGowan.
Mr Kelly was the Minister for Water, Forestry, and Youth and has previously held the Science and Fisheries portfolios.
Mr Kelly said the Premier asked him to step down to allow for renewal, particularly in the interests of getting more women into cabinet.
"I look forward to WA Labor reaching 50 per cent female representation in cabinet," he said in a statement.
“While I will be personally disappointed to no longer be a cabinet minister, I have no complaints about the opportunity I have been given."
'I've always done what Premier asked'
A former state secretary of the United Workers Union, he was elected to parliament in 2013 in the seat of Bassendean and first became a minister in 2017, after the election of the McGowan government.
He told reporters at a media conference today he had always accepted each task he was given by the Premier.
"And it's in that vein that I've agreed I will stand down from cabinet," he said.
Despite coming from the dominant left faction, Mr Kelly's position in cabinet had become increasingly tenuous and he was widely tipped to go ahead of a reshuffle by the end of the year.
He lost the fisheries portfolio in 2019 after his attempts to overhaul the rock lobster industry fell apart and led to an enormous fight with the sector and a political headache for Labor.
Premier pays tribute
Mr McGowan offered glowing praise for Mr Kelly in a media statement issued this afternoon.
"Dave has been an important part of the WA Labor team, both in opposition and government, and his contribution to the cabinet should not be underestimated," he said.
"Dave's deep commitment to equality and fairness has guided his entire career, in the labour movement and in parliament.
"He has always focused on delivering for the future of our community — whether it's the important work he has done on climate change and climate action, or backing low-paid workers and bringing more essential services back into public hands at Water Corporation.
"I thank Dave for his service to the cabinet and the government, and know that he will continue to be a tireless advocate for WA and his local Bassendean community."
Frontrunners emerge for vacancy
First-term upper house MP Jackie Jarvis and Balcatta MP David Michael, the parliamentary secretary to the Premier and parliamentary secretary of the cabinet, are considered among those likely to be elevated.
Mr McGowan will also have to fill the spot of departing veteran MP and Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Food and Hydrogen Alannah MacTiernan.
Ms MacTiernan announced her retirement from politics last month.
Mr Kelly would not comment further on why he was sacked from cabinet.
"Now is the appropriate time. You've got Alannah MacTiernan also making the decision to exit," he said.
"Hopefully, the decision I've made will allow for greater female representation in cabinet."
Mr Kelly to recontest seat
Mr Kelly intends to recontest the seat of Bassendean at the next election.
"I've really enjoyed being the MP for Bassendean. And I intend to continue in that role," he said.
Mr Kelly said he would like to be known as someone who is driven by values and getting things done, rather than a ministerial position.
He said he was proud of his record, particularly reforming the Water Corporation's customer hardship programs and bringing about an end to native logging.
Mr Kelly also listed action on climate change, ending the privatisation of public services, protecting lower paid workers and ending discrimination as among his achievements.
Opposition forestry spokesman Steve Martin said Mr Kelly's resignation was an opportunity for the incoming minister to better consult with forestry workers, employers and communities.
"After the shock announcement to end hardwood harvesting in Western Australia, Minister Kelly failed to genuinely consult with the hardwood forestry sector and the communities affected by the government's decision," Mr Martin said.
"The Native Forestry Transition Group process has been a sham from the start and was even described as offensive and deplorable by representatives of the industry."
Greens MP hails 'noble feat'
Greens upper house MP Brad Pettitt praised Mr Kelly for his work on water and climate issues.
"Dave Kelly is one of very few Ministers in this WA Labor Government that have been willing to talk about the impacts that climate change is having on Western Australians and advocate for climate action," Dr Pettitt said in a social media post.
"Only 4.5 per cent of this WA Labor Government's media statements have actually mentioned the phrase climate change, but Dave has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of those statements.
"In the context of a Labor Government that actively supports and orchestrates the expansion of fossil fuels in this critical decade, that is a noble feat."
