Premier Mark McGowan has paid tribute to Cabinet colleague and South West MLC Alannah MacTiernan, who today announced she would stand down from Cabinet next month and bring her parliamentary career to an end.
Ms MacTiernan returned to State Parliament in 2017 and was appointed to the Regional Development, and Agriculture and Food portfolios. She was appointed the State's first Hydrogen Industry Minister in 2021, and held the Ports portfolio between 2018 and 2021.
As Agriculture and Food Minister, Ms MacTiernan has spearheaded work to rebuild the State Government's agricultural efforts, including delivering more than $130 million for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to deal with the damage left by the previous Government.
She has reinvigorated agricultural research and development in the State, including establishing the WA Agricultural Research Collaboration with $25 million of State investment, delivering a $24 million co-investment into the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre, and winning back the National Oat Breeding Program from South Australia.
Ms MacTiernan has been a fierce advocate for the agricultural industry, delivering significant programs for farmers:
- the transformational $14 million Digital Farm program, bringing enterprise-grade broadband to more than 2000 farm businesses from Kununurra to Mt Barker;
- $24 million to drive value-adding in Western Australia, supporting local food and beverage manufacturing and processing;
- more $30 million to manage the impact of wild dogs with the State Barrier Fence Esperance extension and cell fences in Kalgoorlie, Carnarvon and the Murchison; and
- $15.1 million to boost WA's biosecurity capabilities and emergency preparedness.
Ms MacTiernan has driven initiatives to future-proof WA agriculture and help farmers prepare for the opportunities and challenges of climate change, including:
- establishing the $15 million Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund;
- establishing the $15 million Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program; and
- allowing carbon farming on the pastoral estate for the first time.
As Regional Development Minister, Ms MacTiernan has helped drive the Just Transition of Collie, including more than $100 million of investment to stimulate new industries.
She established the $45.8 million Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program, supporting regional projects that create jobs and diversify regional economies.
Ms MacTiernan has overseen an array of major regional projects, including the $30 million Chinatown redevelopment in Broome, Stages 2 and 3 of the Transforming Bunbury's Waterfront project, and getting works underway on the Port Hedland Spoilbank Marina.
Ms MacTiernan has led the nation on hydrogen, with her vision spearheading WA's efforts in developing a hydrogen industry and delivering the State's first Renewable Hydrogen Strategy in 2019.
As WA's first Hydrogen Industry Minister, she has driven initiatives to support the fledgling industry, including:
- re-envisioning Oakajee as a hydrogen hub, backed by a $47.5 million State investment;
- working to establish the Pilbara Hydrogen Hub, supported by a $140 million joint Federal-State commitment;
- delivering the country's first renewable hydrogen microgrid at Denham; and
- establishing the Renewable Hydrogen Fund - which has funded five capital works projects across the State - and the Renewable Hydrogen Council.
As Ports Minister, Ms MacTiernan helped to steer the McGowan Government's endorsement of the Westport Taskforce report and plans for a new port at Kwinana.
Ms MacTiernan first entered State Parliament in 1993, has served in both the Legislative Council and Assembly, and held a range of Cabinet roles and shadow portfolios.
As Planning and Infrastructure Minister from 2001 to 2008, Ms MacTiernan delivered transformational infrastructure across WA, including the Mandurah rail line, the Forrest Highway and the Geraldton port and rail expansion.
Ms MacTiernan served in the Federal Parliament as Member for Perth from 2013 to 2016, on Perth City Council from 1988 to 1993, and as Mayor of the City of Vincent from 2011 to 2013.
Ms MacTiernan retires as the longest serving female Minister in WA's history, spending a total of 13 years in State Cabinet.
Ms MacTiernan will stand down from Cabinet before Christmas and will bring her outstanding parliamentary career to a close.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Alannah has left an indelible mark on Western Australia over more than 30 years of serving our State.
"Her passion and work ethic are legendary - she has never met an issue too big or too small to tackle head on.
"Alannah took on an Agriculture portfolio diminished by years of cuts under the previous Government. Under her stewardship, the portfolio is thriving - her Department is back on sustainable footing and we are delivering significant funding for critical agricultural projects.
"She has played a key role in delivering our Government's agenda in the regions, refocusing regional investment towards diversification and job creation.
"Alannah's pioneering efforts in renewable hydrogen have been instrumental in positioning WA at the head of the pack in the global hydrogen race.
"Alannah's legacy is writ large right across Western Australia.
"There will never be another Alannah - but her leadership and mentorship of generations of Labor MPs have put our party and Parliament in good stead.
"I thank Alannah for her service to our State, and wish her the very best for the future."
