Western Australia’s highest-ranking bureaucrat Emily Roper will vacate her role at the end of next week, following Labor's victory at last weekend's state election.
Western Australia’s highest-ranking bureaucrat, Emily Roper, will vacate her role at the end of next week.
WA Premier Roger Cook on Friday announced the ‘mutually agreed’ decision for Ms Roper to stand down as director general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Ms Roper has served permanently in the role for nearly four years under the leadership of Mark McGowan and Mr Cook, and has worked in the public sector for 25 years.
She was expected to serve out her term which expired in December next year.
Stability for central agency leadership was cited as a key factor in the decision to leave early, a decision the state government said was made prior to the election.
Mr Cook said Ms Roper’s leadership during the COVID pandemic had been a highlight.
“Ms Roper’s commitment to serve the WA community has been front and centre across a range of critical and complex issues and I and my Cabinet colleagues thank her for her immense contribution to our State,” he said.
““With the mandate of Western Australians clear for our government, we have a lot to achieve over the next four years and long-term stability in key roles such as this one is key.
“I wish Ms Roper all the best for the next stage of her career.”
Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety director general Richard Sellers will act in the role until a permanent replacement is found.
The inner circle of government is expected to experience a large turnover following Labor’s securing of a third term in office last weekend.
Business News revealed in November Regen Strategic founder Daniel Smith was the frontrunner to replace Daniel Pastorelli as Mr Cook’s chief-of-staff, a tenure which has now been confirmed.
Mr Cook’s deputy chief-of-staff Veronica Jeffery, policy director Dave Coggin, and senior adviser Kieran Murphy have also confirmed their departures.
Labor advisors Ruth O’Toole and Neil Fergus will reportedly step into more senior roles.
The make-up of Labor's first third-term ministry is expected to formalised next week.
Jessica Stojkovski, Meredith Hammat, Matthew Swinbourn, and Divina D'Anna are the frontrunners to be elevated into ministerial roles.
