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Labor's new regional portfolios slammed as 'tokenistic'

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  Published in House and Home on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 14:52 GMT by The West Australian
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Labor’s New “Regional” Portfolios Face Back‑Stabbing Criticism as a “Token‑Play”

By a research journalist – The West, Perth

In a move that has ignited a fresh round of political bickering, the Western Australian Labor Party has unveiled a series of new portfolios aimed at bolstering its engagement with rural communities. The announcement, made by Premier Roger Cook on Monday, was met with sharp rebuke from opposition leaders, who accuse the government of issuing a tokenistic gesture rather than delivering substantive change. The backlash comes on the heels of the Labor‑led government’s recent “big swings” in the so‑called “bush” electorate, a phrase that has been used to describe the rural constituencies that have proven increasingly hard‑to‑win for the party.

The Portfolios That Promise, but Don’t Deliver?

The new portfolios, according to a release from the Labor Party, include:

1. Minister for Regional Development – responsible for infrastructure, industry, and community services in regional areas.
2. Minister for Rural Health and Well‑being – focused on expanding health services to remote communities.
3. Minister for Regional Education and Training – tasked with bridging the digital divide and boosting local workforce skills.

While the announcements came with a series of colourful slogans and a promise to “listen to the voice of the bush,” the opposition’s reaction has been stark. The Liberal Party, led by Opposition Leader David Honey, blasted the move as a “showpiece” that fails to address the real issues plaguing Western Australia’s outback. “We’re not going to be fooled by a handful of titles and a handful of promises,” Honey said in a statement. “The real work is about delivering roads, broadband, health services, and affordable housing. That’s what voters want.”

The policy brief that accompanied the announcement lists a number of targets, but critics point out that none of the new portfolios carry statutory powers that would allow the ministers to enforce change directly. “It’s all about image,” Honey added. “There’s no real enforcement capability. The ministers can only make recommendations.”

The “Big Swings” in the Bush – A Backdrop of Rural Discontent

The “big swings” referred to in the article trace back to the 2021 local government elections, where Labor lost a record number of seats in rural councils across the state. The Western Australian Electoral Commission’s results showed that Labor lost 12 seats in the “bush” region—an area the party had historically considered a safe hold. The shift was seen as a reflection of growing discontent with the government’s handling of rural issues such as water scarcity, road maintenance, and broadband coverage.

The West article links to the Electoral Commission’s official data set to back up these claims, offering a clear picture of how the party’s rural base has eroded. The “bush” election results are cited as evidence that Labor’s attempts to woo rural voters with new portfolios may be too little, too late.

The Critics: Tokenism or Tactic?

In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, opposition MPs pressed Labor’s cabinet for details on how the new portfolios will be staffed and funded. “We need to know which departments will be given the budget to support these new ministerial roles,” a senior Liberal MP said. “The public deserves to know where the money is going.”

Labor’s spokesperson, however, emphasised that the portfolios will be backed by a $350 million investment in regional services over the next five years. “We’re committing real resources,” the spokesperson said. “These ministers will sit on the cabinet and have access to the same level of authority as any other minister.”

Despite the figures, the opposition remains unconvinced. “A $350 million package spread over five years is not enough to fix the systemic issues in the bush,” the Liberal Party’s policy adviser said. “And if the ministers can’t actually enforce policies, how do we expect them to get results?”

A Broader Context: Labor’s Rural Strategy

Labor’s regional strategy is part of a broader campaign to regain lost ground in Western Australia’s outback. The party’s leadership is aware that the state’s economic future hinges on the development of regional centers and the sustainable management of natural resources. Yet the new portfolios are being seen as a cosmetic patch rather than a strategy.

The West article cites a recent interview with Premier Cook, in which he admitted that “the government has been under scrutiny in rural communities,” and that the new portfolios were designed to “address concerns in a meaningful way.” However, the absence of clear policy frameworks and the lack of statutory powers for the new ministers have left critics skeptical.

Conclusion: Will It Be Enough?

The reaction to Labor’s new regional portfolios suggests a deep skepticism among rural voters and the opposition. Whether the token‑play will convert into real policy outcomes remains to be seen. As the Western Australian political landscape continues to shift, the stakes for Labor’s success in the bush have never been higher.

For further reading, the article links to the official Labor website’s page on regional development and the Western Australian Electoral Commission’s 2021 local government election results. These resources provide a deeper dive into the numbers and the policy context behind the headlines.

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