Following a cabinet upheaval last week, Western Australia now has a new Minister for Innovation and ICT in Stephen Dawson.
Dawson succeeds Don Punch, named Minister for Disability Services, Fisheries, Innovation and ICT, Seniors and Aging following the government’s re-election in March.
Punch will continue to serve as Minister for Disability Services, Fisheries, Seniors, Aging, and Small Business.
Premier Mark McGowan announced the improvements as Western Australia prepared for the next phase of pandemic reopening when border restrictions are eased next year.
“These portfolio changes are about rebalancing the cabinet and refining the government’s objectives as we approach the next phase of the epidemic,” he explained. Dawson will be responsible for the portfolios of Emergency Services, Medical Research, and Volunteering, in addition to ICT and Innovation.
He was formerly the Minister for Mental Health, Aboriginal Affairs, and Industrial Relations and the Minister for Environment and Disability Services and the Minister for Electoral Affairs.
Dawson assumes the portfolio when the government is establishing a $500 million digital capacity fund in the fiscal year 2021 budget to update old IT systems and boost cyber security.
McGowan stated at the time that the money “would guarantee service delivery kept pace with public expectations and safeguards essential agencies against cyber assaults and operational hazards.” The government announced where $277 million of the cash would flow at the mid-year budget review last week, adding to the $35.7 million it granted in the 2021 budget in September.