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WA gets Australia's first Indigenous treasurer as Labor reveals portfolios

Ben Wyatt made Australian political history on Thursday morning, as he was announced as the country's first ever Indigenous treasurer.

Shadow deputy leader Roger Cook has been confirmed as deputy premier as well as minister for health, while former federal MP Alannah MacTiernan, who has returned to state politics with an upper house seat, has parachuted into the ministry, with the portfolio of agriculture.

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WA Labor announces cabinet positions

Mark McGowan has revealed who will fill the new state government portfolios. Vision courtesy ABC News 24.

Premier-elect Mark McGowan, who unveiled the 17 new ministers on Thursday five days after Labor's thumping election win, said Mr Wyatt who also picks up finance, energy and Aboriginal affairs portfolios was a "very talented man".

"I have given him a heavy load but's that because he has the ability," he told reporters.

"He has the work ethic, he has the capacity to do a great job and I think it's a great testament to not only the government but to Aboriginal people in Western Australia, that Ben Wyatt will become the first Aboriginal Treasurer in the history of Australia."

Mr McGowan denied there was any factional power plays involved in giving former Australian Manufacturing Workers Union official Fran Logan two portfolios.

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Last week, the Cockburn MP was scolded by Mr McGowan for threatening to sue companies if they sought compensation for broken contracts on the Roe 8 road project.

"No Fran is a good friend of mine," Mr McGowan said. "He's been a long term parliamentarian...I thought the two portfolio's I gave him would very well suit his capacities and abilities."

Mr McGowan said it was a "cabinet for the times".

"I've got a cabinet brimming with talent, a good array of people from the regions, from the city - men and women, people of all sorts of backgrounds," he said.

"It's a terrific group of people and I'm excited about it."

The Labor leader, who will be sworn in as Premier on Friday, said he wouldn't have any problems juggling the four portfolios he gave himself.

"I like work. I'm a bit of a workaholic to be honest and to have lots of issues to deal with is good," he said. "But my number one priority is jobs so I have taken the jobs portfolio which I think is appropriate."

Here is the full list of ministers in the McGowan Labor government...

Mark McGowan

 - Premier; Minister for Public Sector Management; State Development, Jobs and Trade; Federal-State Relations

Roger Cook

- Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health

Sue Ellery

- Education and Training; Leader of the Legislative Council

Stephen Dawson

- Environment; Disability Services; Deputy Leader of the Legislative Council

Michelle Roberts

- Police; Road Safety

Alannah MacTiernan

- Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Minister Assisting the Minster for State Development, Jobs and Trade

Francis Logan

- Emergency Services; Corrective Services

David Templeman

- Local Government; Heritage; Culture and the Arts; Leader of the House

John Quigley

- Attorney General

Mick Murray

- Seniors and Ageing; Volunteering; Sport and Recreation

Ben Wyatt

- Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Energy; Aboriginal Affairs

Paul Papalia

- Tourism; Racing and Gaming; Small Business; Defence Issues; Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs

Bill Johnston

- Asian Engagement; Housing; Electoral Affairs; Commerce and Industrial Relations

Rita Saffioti

- Transport; Planning; Lands

Peter Tinley

- Mines and Petroleum; Veterans Issues; Youth

Simone McGurk

- Child Protection; Women's Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence; Community Services

Dave Kelly

- Water; Fisheries; Forestry; Innovation and ICT; Science

Amber-Jade Sanderson

- Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet