Ousted MP Ben Morton’s tide-y new Ports role

Ousted Tangney MP Ben Morton has been appointed to the board of the Southern Ports Authority, while former South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has joined the board of Infrastructure WA.

First elected in 2016, Mr Morton was a key lieutenant to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison and served as Minister of the Public Service between October 2021 and the May election – when he was one of five West Australian Liberals to lose their seats.

In his new role – which is an initial two-year term – he will be responsible for helping to govern three of WA’s major ports: Albany, Bunbury and Esperance.

It is the second time the McGowan Government has selected Mr Morton for a public position after he was appointed commissioner of the Insurance Commission of WA for a three-year term in October.

Mr Weatherill was SA Premier between 2011 and 2018 and subsequently joined the Minderoo Foundation as chief executive officer of the Thrive by Five early childhood education program.

He is joined on the Infrastructure WA board by prominent Noongar man and renowned performer Richard Walley, who was named Senior Australian of the Year in 2021.

All three appointments were announced by the McGowan Government on Wednesday.