Hannah Beazley selected by Labor’s Right faction to replace retiring Energy Minister Bill Johnston

Hannah Beazley is poised to write another chapter for her famous political family after winning the support of her union colleagues to enter Cabinet in place of retiring Energy Minister Bill Johnston. Ms Beazley is understood to have been selected as the preferred successor to Mr Johnston at a meeting of Labor’s Right faction on Monday afternoon. The full Labor Caucus will meet on Thursday to officially decide who is elevated into Premier Roger Cook’s Cabinet but it would be highly unusual for a faction to be overruled when picking a replacement for one of its own departing ministers. If confirmed, Ms Beazley’s ascension would mean she follows her father Kim Beazley and both grandfathers Kim Beazley Sr. and Shane Paltridge in serving as a minister – although all three men operated in the Federal realm. Ms Beazley had a faltering start to her political career, falling short in her attempts to win Riverton in 2013 and the Federal seat of Swan in 2019. She eventually broke through in 2021 in the seat of Victoria Park, where she replaced former Treasurer Ben Wyatt. Ms Beazley has enjoyed a rapid rise ever since. She was immediately placed on Parliament’s public accounts and audit committees and in December 2022 was appointed a parliamentary secretary, assisting first Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson and then Planning Minister John Carey. Mr Johnston last week confirmed long-running speculation he would quit politics at the 2025 election, announcing he also intended to immediately move to the backbench. Ms Beazley and Legislative Council member Samantha Rowe quickly emerged as the frontrunners to replace Mr Johnston. Like Mr Johnston, both women hail from Labor’s Right. They are also both parliamentary secretaries, holding senior roles assisting ministers that act as a training ground for moving into Cabinet. WA Labor’s stated pursuit of equal female representation in the ministry — currently split 11-6 in favour of men — necessitated a woman taking Mr Johnston’s place. With more than a decade in Parliament under her belt and six and a half years as a parliamentary secretary — Ms Rowe had seniority on her side. But her bid was hamstrung by her position in the Legislative Council, which meant she would be unable to field questions during parliamentary question time. Her career prospects also took a major hit following her decision to join delegates that walked out of WA Labor’s 2019 State Conference during the Welcome to Country. The move — the result of a factional brawl that spilt into public view — both embarrassed and infuriated former Premier Mark McGowan, who was left delivering his keynote speech to a half-empty hall. Mr Cook is expected to unveil his new minister following Labor’s Caucus meeting on Thursday. The departure of Mr Johnston – who holds the energy, mines, industrial relations and hydrogen industry portfolios – will also necessitate a shuffling of responsibilities, with the new distribution of roles likely to be announced on Friday.