Family First: Minister Paul Papalia Announces Resignation, Triggering Secret Harbour By-Election
Cook Government Faces Immediate Cabinet Reshuffle and High-Stakes Electorate Battle After Veteran MP Steps Down Due to Serious Family Illness.
By Wade McColl (06/07/2026)
Outgoing Minister Paul Papalia CSC MLA has confirmed his early retirement from public life to support his family through a serious health challenge. Photo: Paul Papalia CSC MLA / Facebook.
Western Australia's longest-serving lower house MP, Corrective Services and Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia, has announced his retirement from state politics. The sudden announcement, delivered during a press conference on Monday afternoon, brings an end to a distinguished multi-decade career spanning both the Australian military and the upper echelons of the state government.
A Necessary Recalibration
WA Premier Roger Cook and Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia at the announcement of Papalia’s resignation on Monday afternoon. Photo: WAtoday / Michael Philipps
The Minister revealed that his decision to step away from public life was prompted by a serious, progressive medical diagnosis within his immediate family. Facing a reality that will become significantly debilitating over time, Papalia noted that his family needs his presence now more than ever.
During his announcement, Papalia reflected on the personal sacrifices his loved ones made throughout his decades of intense public service:
"For most of my married life, my family have sacrificed their interests in favour of my service, first in the military, and for much of the last two decades in politics. It’s time they got a better share of my time and energy. Politics and public life can be all consuming, and anyone who knows me understands that I don’t do things by halves, so I can’t continue to give this role everything it demands while also giving my family what they need from me."
Papalia's official final day in Parliament is locked in for July 10, 2026.
A Legacy of Service: From the SAS to Parliament
Paul Papalia pictured in Iraq during his service in 1992. Photo: The West Australian
Before entering the political arena, Papalia dedicated 26 years to the Royal Australian Navy. His military career included serving as a navy clearance diver, commanding the Navy's submarine escape and rescue service, and deploying to Iraq twice within the Special Air Service's counter-terrorism squadron. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross before transitioning to civilian life in 2004.
First elected to the state seat of Peel in 2007, Papalia later transitioned to the seat of Warnbro, and eventually became the member for the newly formed seat of Secret Harbour during the 2025 state election.
Throughout his ministerial career, Papalia was known for tackling heavy-hitting and highly complex portfolios. Local leaders have widely praised his extensive legislative impacts:
Defense Industry Growth:
As WA's first Defence Industries Minister, Papalia successfully positioned the state at the center of the nation's defense strategy, securing pivotal local AUKUS opportunities.
Tough Border and Safety Policies:
During his time as Police Minister, Papalia introduced sweeping public weapon search powers under strict knife laws and oversaw the first comprehensive rewrite of the state's firearm legislation in over 50 years.
Tourism and Global Reach:
In his time as Tourism Minister, he successfully brought global attention to WA through prominent direct international flights and iconic marketing campaigns alongside international celebrities.
While his legislative wins were substantial, his time in office was not without intense public pressure. In recent months, the opposition repeatedly called for his resignation following a scathing report from the Inspector of Custodial Services highlighting systemic operational failures and overcrowding within the state's adult and youth prison systems.
The Political Fallout: Reshuffles and By-Elections
Papalia's official departure on July 10 will trigger a fiercely contested by-election in the southern Perth seat of Secret Harbour. Photo: Paul Papalia / Facebook
Papalia's departure introduces an immediate logistical challenge for the Cook Government. A special Labor Party caucus meeting has been formally called for Friday at 12:00 PM to elect a new member to the Cabinet, followed by a redistribution of Papalia's wide-ranging portfolios. Premier Roger Cook confirmed that while individual portfolios will be reassigned, it will not spark a massive structural cabinet overhaul.
Beyond the walls of Parliament, the southern suburbs are preparing for a highly competitive by-election in the seat of Secret Harbour. Though Labor retained the seat in 2025 with a clear two-candidate preferred margin, the upcoming vote will serve as an intense testing ground for major political factions.
The WA Liberals are expected to contest the seat aggressively, with Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas stating that there is no reason why the party wouldn't run and run hard. Concurrently, Pauline Hanson's One Nation leader Rod Caddies has already flagged Secret Harbour as a major priority for his party, buoyed by recent upward trends in national polling and historical secondary preferences.
As the preselection process opens up, the local community remains focused on wishing the departing Minister and his family strength during their upcoming health battles.