Bested minister gets state board gig

Defeated in his quest to return to Canberra earlier this year, a former federal minister noted as one of Scott Morrison's closest political allies has nabbed a plum board role with one of the state government's biggest businesses.

That's according to the state government, which today announced Ben Morton, who held the federal seat of Tangney for two terms, will join the board of Insurance Commission of Western Australia.

Data & Insights ranks the commission as the state's second-largest fund manager, with $6.98 billion of assets under management, as well as its eighth-largest government-owned enterprise as ranked by total revenue.

Mr Morton, whose resume includes stints as a bus driver, state director of the Liberal Party in WA and senior manager at BGC, held several high-profile positions in the Morrison government, including assistant minister to the prime minister and cabinet.

He was minister for the public service and special minister of state prior to losing his bid for re-election in May.

Premier Mark McGowan cited Mr Morton's role in overseeing Comcover and establishing the National Office for Child Safety as factors in his appointment.

Mr Morton's appointment comes at the same time as Rob Bransby, who led HBF between 2005 and 2017, was made chair after, with Julie Keen to replace him as deputy chair.

Mr Bransby will take over from Frank Cooper, who has chaired the commission since 2012.

Mr McGowan thanked Mr Cooper for his services in a statement.

"I wish him well in his future endeavours," he said.

Today's news follows a flurry of high-profile appointments for ministers and Liberal MPs defeated at the last election, including Josh Frydenberg, who is now a senior regional adviser for Goldman Sachs' Asia Pacific operations.

Christian Porter, who sensationally resigned as attorney general and later minister after the ABC aired historical allegations of sexual assault against him, made headlines earlier this year after he once again began practicing law as a defence attorney.

His parliamentary register disclosures in February revealed he was also the director of two companies, being Henley Stirling Lawyers Pty Ltd and Henley Stirling Consultants Pty Ltd, with the latter vehicle created to assist in his writing pursuits.

Ken Wyatt, who held the seat of Hasluck and was also indigenous affairs minister, is now part of the referendum working group advocating for the creation of a Voice to Parliament.

ICWA's latest annual report shows commissioner fees totalled $302,000 in FY22.