Troy Buswell has been reappointed as Treasurer. Frontbench newcomer, Member for Scarborough Liza Harvey will replace Mr Johnson as Minister for Police while Member for North Metropolitan Region and Upper House MP Michael Mischin has been promoted to Attorney General, filling the second portfolio left vacant by Christian Porter's decision to pursue a career in Federal politics, announced two weeks ago. The corrective services and training portfolios have moved to another fresh face in Murray Cowper, a decision Mr Barnett said was made based on Mr Cowper's background in policing and work with young Aboriginal men. Minister for Energy and Indigenous Affairs Peter Collier has retained his two portfolios and picked up education. Minister for Agriculture and Food Terry Redman can now add housing - formerly Mr Buswell's responsibility - to his portfolios.

The MPs are to be sworn into their new roles tomorrow. Embattled Johnson replaced Mr Johnson, who was interstate today, was "not pleased" to lose his position in the state cabinet, Mr Barnett said, but added that it was time for "some new blood, some fresh faces". "Any government needs to refresh itself," he said. Mr Barnett said the veteran MP had had a tough time from the media.

While Mr Johnson has previously made his interest in becoming the next Speaker of the house apparent, Mr Barnett denied that any deals concerning the position had been made to keep him with the party. Meanwhile, at a press conference held simultaneously, Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said he had not been aware that Mr Johnson would be replaced. He said no one had included him in any discussions about the role of police minister. "I have to work with whatever I'm provided with," he said. Mr Johnson was stripped of his emergency services portfolio in December after the fallout from the Perth Hills bushfire disaster.

Mr Johnson has been the subject of ongoing criticism, most notably in March, when he was hit by a scathing attack by Federal MP Don Randall. Early exit for Liz Constable Veteran Independent MP Liz Constable, who has already announced plans to retire at the next election, lost her position on the front bench as Minister for Education. "Liz Constable has played an integral role in this Government, and I thank her for her enormous support," Mr Barnett said. "Dr Constable has presided over a period of significant reform, with the implementation of Independent Public Schools, the move of Year 7s to high school, and a range of early childhood initiatives."

Dr Constable said she respected the decision of the Premier in putting together a new team ahead of the next election. During her 22 years in State Parliament, and in her role as Minister for Education since September 2008, she had celebrated notable successes in the education portfolio. "I am very proud of our accomplishments in education, and it has been an honour to have led a –revolution that has changed the face of education in Western Australia," she said. Reactions to the major reshuffle Nationals Leader Brendan Grylls, whose party is part of the government coalition, said he supported the Premier's decision to remove Mr Johnson from the front bench, as well as the promotions.

It was "a good choice" to make Ms Harvey the new Minister for Police, while Mr Cowper, a former police officer, had the credentials to be Minister for Corrective Services. He welcomed Mr Buswell's return and said he would be an "outstanding treasurer". "Troy has had some personal challenges; they're well behind him now and he has a lot to offer to the state of WA," Mr Grylls said. Opposition leader Mark McGowan said the government's sixth reshuffle since winning the 2008 election proved it had been in "turmoil and instability" for "a very long period of time". "Once again we have the Liberal Party more focused on its internal position, internal politicking, than the needs of ordinary West Australians," he said.

Mr McGowan said he had "no doubt" the return of Mr Buswell as Treasurer was a precursor to him becoming the next premier. "I have no doubt about it; everyone in the Liberal Party says it," he said. "Mr Barnett has previously said he'd reconsider his position during the next term of government. There is noone else who could take over. "West Australians need to be very afraid that if Mr Barnett is re-elected, Mr Buswell will become the premier of WA." - with staff reporters

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