Woronzow confirmed as Transport boss

Peter Woronzow has been formally appointed director general of the Department of Transport, one of five DG roles the state government has needed to fill.

He will concurrently hold the roles of commissioner of Main Roads WA and chief executive of the Public Transport Authority.

Mr Woronzow has been the acting director general of Transport since March 2020.

He joined Main Roads WA in 1980 and remained with the agency until March last year, serving as managing director from July 2016.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said she was pleased to confirm the appointment.

“Peter has a deep understanding of what is required for the effective development of WA’s transport infrastructure, ensuring we continue to grow our economy whilst delivering world class facilities and services,” she said.

The government is looking to fill another four DG roles.

The first is likely to be DG of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, after interviews were held on October 8.

Applications for the role of DG of the Department of Training and Workforce Development closed on September 28.

The position of DG for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet – arguably the most important public service role in WA – was advertised on October 1.

Notably, that was three months after Rebecca Brown, who had been acting DG for nearly a year, moved back to her substantive role at JTSI.

Asked about the delay, Public Sector commissioner Sharyn O'Neill told Business News a decision was made to stagger recruitment and selection processes, given there was a number of DG positions vacant.

In the meantime, deputy DG Emily Roper is acting in the top job at Premier and Cabinet.

A new DG also needs to be appointed for the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Meanwhile, Jacqueline McGowan-Jones has been appointed commissioner for Children and Young People for a five-year term commencing on January 4.

She is WA’s first Aboriginal woman appointed to the role.

Ms McGowan-Jones is currently the chief executive of indigenous organisation Thirrili.

She takes over from commissioner Colin Pettit.