Marmion moves up political ranks

Bill Marmion has been plucked from relative obscurity to take over besieged Troy Buswell's portfolios of Commerce; Science and Innovation; and Housing and Works.

Mr Buswell resigned today after admitting misusing ministerial entitlements during a four-month affair with Greens MP Adele Carles.

Mr Marmion, a former senior sate government executive who has a Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia, was elected to the seat of Nedlands on September 6 2008.

For almost 25 years Mr Marmion has worked at various levels of government, working in state government departments, a ministerial office, and the premier's office, which exposed him to Parliamentary and Cabinet processes.

Mr Marmion is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (Past President of the Western Australia Division) as well as a provisional member of the Aged Care Association of Australia.

After a successful 24-year career which started as an engineer at Main Roads and finished as a director of premier Richard Court's office, Mr Marmion left public service in 2002 to start his own business.

For the past eight years he has run in partnership a small consulting business that employs eight people that focuses on strategic planning of urban developments and the economic assessment of major government infrastructure projects.

His most recent work included developing business cases covering major state infrastructure projects such as the Perth Arena, Fire and Emergency Services' volunteer and career fire stations, schools and train stations.

Mr Marmion, who lives in Nedlands with his wife Katelyn and five children - Brittany, Olivia, Richard, Trent and Kezia - made his inaugural speech on November 12 2008.

He used the speech to discuss his passion for developing a long-term vision, plans and policies for the state, while airing his frustrations about he said was "reactionary planning and implementation of major infrastructure projects".

"Since my preselection I have often been asked why I have chosen to enter politics and why Nedlands," he said at the time.

"The 'why Nedlands' part is easy. Nedlands is well and truly part of my family history.

"My grandmother and father lived in Nedlands in the 1940s and my father and aunt both obtained their first degrees at the University of Western Australia.

"I have travelled and resided all over Western Australia, from Bunbury to Derby, but I have returned to my heritage and have now lived in the Nedlands area for more than 20 years.

"I am a passionate advocate for Nedlands and for delivering a plan to ensure that its future is as strong as its past. And why politics?

"That question is slightly harder to answer. Choosing to stand as a candidate and
entering Parliament is a challenge for anyone, and I have always admired members from all sides of politics who have taken on this challenge.

"Although it is an enormous privilege to represent an electorate, it also carries with it the enormous responsibility of making decisions and judgements on significant issues for the state.

"I have been blessed with a career path that by chance has given me a broad experience in all levels of the public service.

"I believe that I have much to offer the people of Nedlands and Western Australia and that it is my duty, as well as my passion, to utilise my knowledge and experience in the most important forum -- the Western Australian Parliament."