Carpenter to retain state development portfolio role

Alan Carpenter plans to retain a role in the crucial state development portfolio after he is sworn in as Western Australian Premier at Government House tomorrow morning.
He was elected unopposed as parliamentary leader of the Labor Party at a caucus meeting today.
Mr Carpenter said the economic development of the state was something the Premier had to be directly involved with and the dual role fulfilled that need.
It was while he was Minister for State Development that the approvals process for major projects was streamlined and channeled direct to the Premier. "That will continue, but that process will now end with me," he said.
The Labour Party Caucus is scheduled to meet again next Tuesday to discuss ministerial positions, after which Mr Carpenter is expected to allocate portfolios ahead of a swearing in ceremony next week.