Matthew Groom’s decision to leave politics should be respected
Premier now has significant internal challenges
Will the promised Brooks email audit finally be completed?
Will the Premier consider conservative independents for Cabinet?
Can the Liberals rule out an early election?
Labor MLC for Elwick said he hopes the Government gives the upper house more work to do during this sitting week than it did last week.
“The Liberal Government’s legislative workload has been very light,” Mr Willie said.
“With very few sitting days left for both houses in the life of this government, you would expect the Liberals to have more work in the pipeline.
“And now they’re facing enormous internal challenges after the announcement that Minister Matthew Groom is relinquishing his long list of ministries.
“Matthew Groom’s decision to leave politics for family reasons needs to be respected.
“His decision to put his family first must have been a very difficult one to make and he leaves politics with Labor’s best wishes.
“But for the Premier, the realities of governing don’t go away.
“Will Hodgman has some critical portfolios to find new Ministers for.
“Not only does the Premier need to find replacements for Matthew Groom’s substantive roles, he has the position of Attorney-General to determine the future of.
“Will Speaker Elise Archer finally be rewarded with a Ministry?
“The Speaker was surprisingly overlooked for Guy Barnett in the last reshuffle.
“The cabinet vacancies should force the Premier to finally conduct the promised audit into the business email account of former Mining Minister Adam Brooks.
“It’s been more than 15 months since the audit was promised by Will Hodgman.
“The Premier might even court conservative independents from the Legislative Council instead of looking to his backbench.
“Whichever way you look at it, the Liberals are facing huge disruptions with six months left in their term.
“Will the Premier again rule out an early election or does yesterday’s announcement throw his commitment to a March 2018 poll out the window?”
Josh Willie MLC Labor Member for Elwick
