1. John Langoulant
2. David Eiszele
3. Mike Daube
4. Paul Albert
5. Mal Wauchope
6. Patrick Walker
7. Paul Schapper
8. Greg Martin
IT is hard not to order this group in terms of the budgets they control, particularly when long serving under treasurer John Langoulant sits atop State Government finances. But it is not always that simple.
David Eiszele heads the increasingly controversial Western Power, a huge earner for the State’s coffers but also caught in the middle of a power struggle over the future of WA’s energy market.
It could become the victim of a Government-originated restructure.
Health and education between them represent half of Government spending, and with that they directly employ the biggest number of public servants.
Health and education are also the key issues that can win or lose an election.
Health Department director general Mike Daube takes responsibility for a large share of WA’s budget as does Education Department director general Paul Albert.
As director general of the Ministry of Premier and Cabinet, Mal Wauchope holds a strong position of influence, given his proximity to WA Premier Geoff Gallop.
Consumer Protection commissioner Patrick Walker holds a similar position in WA to what Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Alan Fels holds in the Federal scene.
Former Contract and Management Services chief Paul Schapper has emerged as one of the winners from the Government’s Machinery of Government review.
He is now the director general of the Department of Industry and Technology – a department made up of bits of CAMS, Housing and Works and Commerce and Trade.
It is arguably one of the strongest trade development agencies in Australia.
Former Main Roads and Westrail commissioner Greg Martin holds one of the biggest jobs in WA as director general of Planning and Infrastructure.
The department – another created by the Machinery of Government review – has control of the WA Planning Commission, the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
