Premier Alan Carpenter has announced a reallocation of state cabinet portfolios with indigenous affairs minister Michelle Roberts set to hand over her employment protection portfolio to minister Jon Ford.
Mr Carpenter said the Rudd Government's commitment to address the major issue of indigenous housing was a catalyst for his decision.
"Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has identified housing as a major issue confronting indigenous communities across Australia," the Premier said.
"Mr Rudd has announced an indigenous housing commission which will be charged with developing and implementing an indigenous housing strategy.
"Mrs Roberts' current role as minister for Indigenous Affairs and Housing and Works is a perfect fit with the Rudd Government's focus on indigenous housing issues.
"Removing the huge employment protection portfolio, which also includes industrial relations, will enable the minister to spend a greater proportion of her time addressing indigenous housing issues at a state level, in conjunction with the federal government."
Mrs Roberts will now be responsible for Indigenous Affairs; Housing and Works; Heritage; Land Information.
Mr Ford will be the minister for Regional Development; Employment Protection; Fisheries; the Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne.
Mr Carpenter said the strengthening of the Department of Premier and Cabinet's inter-governmental relations unit, including the recent appointment of a new deputy director general with special responsibility for federal-state relations, had removed the ongoing requirement for a minister assisting the minister for federal-state relations.
This will result in the minister for corrective services and small business, Margaret Quirk, shedding her minister assisting the minister for federal-state relations portfolio.
