Perth Voice Interactive

ALANNAH MacTIERNAN has been promoted to federal Labor’s front bench in a junior role, calling the move a “small bump up the food chain.”

The Perth MP—formerly a senior minister in the former state Labor government—was appointed shadow parliamentary secretary for WA and regional development and infrastructure.

The rise followed Fremantle MP Melissa Parke’s decision to resign her own shadow ministry due to a family member’s serious health issues.

Although already busy with several parliamentary committees—including education and employment and Northern Australia—Ms MacTiernan has looked increasingly frustrated in recent months, champing at the bit on the opposition backbench.

“It’s nice to be recognised in a formal role,” she says.

“The leader had been saying to me for some time that he wanted to get me more involved.

“He has sought my advice on a number of occasions, on matters concerning Western Australia.

“In the end he exercised his right to appoint me, rather than go through the factional system of which I am not a part.”

A former WA planning minister who oversaw construction of the Perth-Mandurah line, she plans to barrack for federal funding for urban rail and use her local contacts to get the commonwealth and state working in tandem.

At a regional level, she will be looking into the Pilbara interconnected power grid.

The 62-year-old says she did not demand a shadow cabinet portfolio in return for agreeing to run for Labor at last year’s federal election.

“That’s not my style, I was happy to bide my time and wait until an opportunity arose,” she says.

“I like to think my appointment was based on merit, but Melissa’s resignation probably was a factor.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK