WA premier defends ex-minister’s new role at defence company
West Australian Premier Roger Cook has rejected calls to investigate former defence industries minister Paul Papalia’s jump from government to a role at engineering and construction firm Duratec, saying Papalia was a private citizen with the right to seek employment after leaving office.
Papalia, a former navy clearance diver, retired from politics in July to help care for an ill relative. On Tuesday, it was revealed had joined Duratec as a strategic adviser.
Papalia dealt with Duratec while holding the defence industries portfolio before his retirement, which included leading a trade mission to the UK in September with Duratec as one of the accompanying companies.
In April, a Duratec and Ertech joint venture won a $281 million Commonwealth government contract for infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling as part of the AUKUS program.
Papalia was a key figure in the Cook government’s response to AUKUS.
Duratec also received a $97,000 grant from the state government in 2021.
There is nothing in the ministerial code of conduct nor any other law in WA that prevents or delays ministers from entering the private sector once they leave cabinet.
However, Papalia’s appointment incensed WA Greens peace and nonviolence spokeswoman Sophie McNeill, who said it was yet another example of the revolving door of WA Labor MPs into the private sector.
“It’s a disgrace and as I said, if this happened in another country, and when I used to be a journalist and cover these stories in other countries, we called it corruption. That’s how we described it ... but here in Western Australia because it’s technically legal, it’s meant to be above board,” she said.
“I don’t think the community will think this is above board, and I think Labor should be embarrassed to their core about this position that he’s taken up.”
McNeill called for an investigation into Papalia’s appointment, and for mandatory exclusion periods to be introduced to prevent ministers from entering private roles.
Several members of the WA Labor government that came to power in 2017 have leapt from cabinet into high-profile roles.
Former McGowan government treasurer Ben Wyatt remains on the Rio Tinto and Woodside boards while ex-premier Mark McGowan himself has taken up several advisory roles in the private sector, including with miners Mineral Resources and BHP, and is on the board of Southern Cross Media, which owns Seven and The West Australian.
On Tuesday, it was announced McGowan had joined the board of construction company Built.
However, Cook rubbished the criticism over Papalia’s appointment.
“Paul Papalia is a private citizen. He’s no longer a member of the parliament. He’s no longer a member of the government, and so he can pursue whatever career opportunities he can,” he said on Wednesday.
“The fact of the matter is that minister Papalia was never responsible for a decision or a contract in relation to the company he’s now working with.
“It’s a company that obviously wants to benefit from his insights in relation to the defence industries, and minister Papalia has a right to access those sorts of career opportunities while observing the guidelines in relation to ministers who are exiting their duties.
Cook said he was certain Papalia would have undertaken his ministerial duties with integrity while dealing with Duratec.
The premier noted it wasn’t long ago that people were complaining about ministers receiving a pension when retiring from government.
Papalia attended a defence industry event on Wednesday morning but declined to speak to media as he was leaving the venue.
When 9News Perth asked about his new job he said it was “part-time” but declined to speak further.
He did not respond to further requests for comment.
Duratec chief executive Chris Oates talked up Papalia’s defence credentials.
“As major defence investments continue to develop, Paul’s expertise, leadership and industry knowledge will help us build on this foundation and identify new opportunities for growth,” he said.
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