Paul Papalia | |
---|---|
Minister for Police, Corrective Services, Racing and Gaming, Defence Industry and Veteran Issues | |
Assumed office 18 March 2021 | |
Preceded by | Michelle Roberts |
Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Warnbro | |
Assumed office 6 September 2008 | |
Preceded by | Constituency Created |
Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Peel | |
In office 3 February 2007 – 6 September 2008 | |
Preceded by | Norm Marlborough |
Succeeded by | Constituency Abolished |
Personal details | |
Born | Bunbury, Western Australia | 12 July 1962
Citizenship | Australian |
Political party | Labor Party |
Occupation | Navy clearance diver |
Website | www |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Branch/service | Royal Australian Navy |
Years of service | 1978–2004 |
Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
Battles/wars | United Nations Special Commission Iraq War |
Awards | Conspicuous Service Cross |
Paul Papalia CSC (born 12 July 1962) is an Australian politician. He has been a Labor Party member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since February 2007. Originally the member for Peel. He is now the member for Warnbro. A decorated former navy diver who served two tours in Iraq, Papalia entered parliament after winning a by-election sparked by the resignation of scandal-tarred former minister Norm Marlborough.
In November 2006, state Minister for Small Business Norm Marlborough resigned from parliament after it was revealed that he had lied to the Corruption and Crime Commission about his dealings with disgraced former Premier of Western Australia Brian Burke, thus triggering a by-election in his electorate of Peel.[8] Peel had been held by the Labor Party since the seat's inception and was generally considered a safe Labor seat, but concerns about an electoral backlash over Marlborough's conduct led the party to look for a candidate without a political background.[9] Papalia thus nominated for Labor preselection in the by-election, and was easily successful – despite having only joined the party weeks before – after receiving strong support from Premier Alan Carpenter.[10] He went on to easily win the by-election, receiving a small swing in his favour in a seat that the government had feared they might lose.[11]
The district of Peel was abolished with effect at the 2008 state election. Papalia instead successfully contested the new seat of Warnbro, which covers much the same area. In March 2017, Paul was appointed as a Minister in the new McGowan Government, with the portfolios for Tourism, Racing and Gaming, Small Business, Defence Issues, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs. Following the March 2021 election, he was appointed as Minister for Police, Road Safety, Defence Industry and Veterans Issues. After the resignation of Mark McGowan, new Premier announced on the 7th of June Papalia would gain the portfolio of Corrective Services and lose Road Safety.[12] After the resignation of Bill Johnston from the Cabinet, Papalia gained Racing and Gaming on the 7th of December. This continues the 4 years Papalia had the portfolio between 2017-2021.[13]
Papalia was awarded the Order of the Star of Italy on the 2nd of December 2021.
Papalia is one of six Labor MP's in the current state parliament that is not factionally aligned as of 2021.[14]