Paul Papalia Resigns Triggering Secret Harbour By-election

Western Australia Minister Paul Papalia announced his resignation from politics on July 6, 2026, citing the need to care for an immediate family member diagnosed with a serious, progressive illness. Papalia, the state's longest-serving lower house MP, held portfolios including corrective services, defence industries, emergency services, veterans, and racing and gaming. He stated that he could not continue giving the role everything it demanded while supporting his family.

His departure triggers a by-election in the southern Perth seat of Secret Harbour. Premier Roger Cook described the prospect of retaining the seat as really tough for the Australian Labor Party, attributing the difficulty to Papalia's personal popularity and ongoing cost-of-living struggles. Cook scheduled a Labor caucus meeting for Friday to elect a replacement minister and noted that the resignation would not trigger a major cabinet restructure.

Opposition parties have quickly targeted the vacancy. One Nation leader Rod Caddies claimed his party is a favorite to win and represents the greatest threat to the government's majority. The Liberal Party, led by Basil Zempilas, has also announced its intention to challenge for the seat. The WA Nationals and the Greens have not yet ruled out contesting the poll. Greens leader Brad Pettit used the occasion to call for a cabinet reshuffle, citing the mismanagement of the state's prison estate under Papalia's tenure following a report by Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan regarding systemic failures in state prisons.