Minister for Culture and the Arts (Western Australia)

The Minister for Culture and the Arts is a position in the Cabinet of Western Australia. It was first created in 1971, during the Tonkin government, under the title Minister for Cultural Affairs. That title was retained until 1983, when the title Minister for the Arts was adopted. The current title was adopted in 2001.

The current Minister for Culture and the Arts is John Day of the Liberal Party, who holds the position as a member of the Barnett Ministry. The minister, who generally also holds other portfolios, is responsible for the state government's Department of Culture and the Arts.

List of Ministers for Culture and the Arts

Thirteen people have been appointed as Minister for Culture and the Arts or equivalent. Sheila McHale, who served in both the Gallop and Carpenter governments, held the position for the longest period, 7 years and 220 days. David Parker had two non-consecutive terms as minister, initially in the Burke government and then across the Dowding and Lawrence governments, although he served for just over three years.[1]

In the table below, members of the Legislative Council are designated "MLC". All others were members of the Legislative Assembly at the time of their service. In Western Australia, serving ministers are entitled to be styled "The Honourable", and may retain the style after three years' service in the ministry.[2]

Order Minister Party Premier Title Term start Term end Term in office
1 John Tonkin   Labor Tonkin Minister for Cultural Affairs 3 March 1971 8 April 1974 3 years, 36 days
2 Graham MacKinnon MLC   Liberal C. Court 8 April 1974 10 March 1977 2 years, 336 days
3 Peter Jones   National Country 10 March 1977 5 March 1980 2 years, 361 days
4 Bill Grayden   Liberal 5 March 1980 25 January 1982 1 years, 326 days
5 Bob Pike MLC   O'Connor 25 January 1982 25 February 1983 1 years, 31 days
6 Ron Davies   Labor Burke Minister for the Arts 25 February 1983 26 February 1986 3 year, 1 day
7 David Parker   26 February 1986 25 February 1988 see below
8 Yvonne Henderson   Dowding 25 February 1988 28 February 1989 1 years, 3 days
(7) David Parker   28 February 1989 12 February 1990 3 years,
54 days
  Lawrence 12 February 1990 24 April 1990
9 Kay Hallahan MLC   24 April 1990 16 February 1993 2 years, 298 days
10 Peter Foss MLC   Liberal R. Court 16 February 1993 22 December 1999 6 years, 309 days
11 Mike Board   22 December 1999 16 February 2001 1 years, 56 days
12 Sheila McHale   Labor Gallop Minister for Culture and the Arts 16 February 2001 25 January 2006 7 years, 220 days
  Carpenter 25 January 2006 23 September 2008
13 John Day   Liberal Barnett 23 September 2008 30 April 2015 6 years, 219 days

References

  1. Electoral Affairs Ministry of Western Australia – Parliamentary Library of Western Australia. Last updated 29 June 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  2. Addressing a Member of Parliament – Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 10 March 2015.