Newsmaker - Tom Stephens

AS a reward for his handling of the Department of Housing and Work’s contracting policy, known within the industry as the "get BGC policy" – and the subsequent backflip on it – Tom Stephens (pictured) has been released from the Housing and Works ministry and had Heritage and Goldfields-Esperance added to his Local Government and Regional Development; the Kimberley and Pilbara and Gascoyne portfolios.

In the Gallop Government’s cabinet reshuffle Nick Griffiths swapped his Goldfields-Esperance portfolio with Mr Stephens for the Housing and Works crown but kept his previous titles of Minister for Racing and Gaming and Government Enterprises.

Dr Judy Edwards also freed herself of Heritage to concentrate on the Environment.

Former Health Minister Bob Kucera is now the Minister for Tourism, Small Business, Sport and Recreation, Peel and the South West.

This frees up Clive Brown, who previously held those portfolios, to concentrate on State Development.

Attorney General Jim McGinty, ranked WA Business News’ Most Influential list of State Politicians has gained the Health Portfolio.

Police Minister Michelle Robertspicked up Mr McGinty’s Justice portfolio and had Community Safety added to her Police and Emergency Services charges.

Alan Carpenter has shed Indigenous Affairs and Sport and Recreation to John Kobelke and Bob Kucera respectively to focus on Education.