Guy Houston

SPECIAL REPORT: A small group of ministers and backroom advisers close to Mark McGowan will set the agenda for the new state government.

Recent policy disputes have shone a light on political and business influence in WA.

This year’s Most Influential feature has been narrowed down to the 50 people in WA making the biggest impact in business and politics.

Former McGowan Government media adviser Steve Kaless has launched a defamation case against the Premier, the Treasurer and several government staff members after his acquittal on a charge of indecently assaulting a female colleague at a Christmas party last year.

The second McGowan government is set for big changes, with two of the premier's three closest advisers resigning and minister Peter Tinley believed to have been demoted.

Our updated listing of the 50 most influential Western Australians in business and politics highlights four individuals who stand apart from the rest.

After nine years as a top policy adviser to Mark McGowan, Jo Gaines is going into business with her sister, well-known boardroom adviser Alison Gaines.

Premier Mark McGowan’s former chief of staff has been appointed to the board of state government agency VenuesWest, just eight months after his resignation.

A new role for John Langoulant in the UK has led to a reshuffle of Rottnest Island Authority's board, including a major promotion and the addition of Mark McGowan's former chief of staff.

A likely change of power in Canberra this year will have little bearing on the makeup of WA’s political and business leaders. Click through to see our updated ranking of WA's 50 Most Influential.

Premier Mark McGowan's strategic director has quit after spending more than a decade as a Labor Party and government operative.

ANALYSIS: Mark McGowan’s ministerial reshuffle was in many respects a sideshow – real power in the government remains with a small group of ministers and advisers close to the premier.

Former WA treasurer Ben Wyatt has become an adviser to Australian Capital Equity, adding to the network of powerful individuals close to its chair Kerry Stokes.