Steven McCartney says Divina D’Anna must get WA Cabinet pick for representing ‘everything good’ in Labor party

War has erupted within WA Labor ranks, with the union boss who delivered Roger Cook the premiership now threatening to take on the Premier by forcing an ugly Caucus stoush on Friday — if Indigenous MP Divina D’Anna is not promoted to Cabinet. Steven McCartney, the head of the powerful Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union — otherwise known as the metal workers union — said he and the Left-aligned Labor Caucus members of parliament would not simply roll over and allow Mr Cook to make a captain’s call by appointing his former chief of staff Daniel Pastorelli to the Cabinet vacancy. Mr McCartney told The West Australian the Left faction, which also included the United Workers Union, would force a vote at a planned Caucus meeting on Friday if Ms D’Anna was overlooked in favour of Mr Pastorelli, the member for Landsdale. “My position is the same as the Left Caucus position, that Davina is ready to go forward (into Cabinet),” Mr McCartney said. “She represents everything that is good with the Labor Party. “With Divina, you will have 50 per cent of the decision-making process as women — and one of them will be an Aboriginal person. “Being the state’s first Indigenous female minister would be a great first for Western Australia and a great step forward for the Labor Party.” The West Australian understands Mr Cook is preparing to make a captain’s call and promote Mr Pastorelli ahead of Ms D’Anna to Cabinet. “We are now waiting to see who wins the race,” Mr McCartney said. “If we don’t get over the line, we will be protesting and doing our bit to ensure we have true democracy in there (Cabinet). “The decision lies with him (Mr Cook) I suspect. But I have to say — there will be a ballot at the end of the day because we are determined to give every opportunity to get Divina to where she needs to be. “If we call a ballot, and run a ballot, that’s because the whole of the Left (faction) and a good part of the thinking ALP believe she is the best person for the job – especially in this time and date.” Mr McCartney said he had made his position to Mr Cook clear, that Ms D’Anna — a member of his union — should get the Cabinet promotion over Mr Pastorelli. “I have put this position to the Premier – and his staff and I took it to the Left,” he said. Mr McCartney said the Left would not roll over on the issue. “There are no thoughts in my mind about rolling over in terms of Divina getting this role,” he said. “I am solid with my position. “It’s up to others to adjust theirs.” Ms D’Anna was elected to State Parliament in 2021, as just the fourth member for Kimberley. Following Labor’s election win in 2025, Ms D’Anna was thought to be a front runner to join Cabinet with her supporters arguing it represented an opportunity for Mr Cook to create history by appointing WA’s first female Indigenous Minister. But new positions went to Merredith Hammat, Matt Swinbourn and Jess Stojkovski. In a move that surprised several Labor MPs, Mr Pastorelli — who was chief of staff to Mr Cook and Mark McGowan before successfully contesting the seat of Landsdale at the 2025 State election - got the prestigious cabinet secretary position. Ms D’Anna got the consolation prize – the position of parliamentary secretary to the Premier. Now, with Defence Industries Minister and Secret Harbour MP Paul Papalia having announced his resignation from politics, the Left stronghold believes it’s Ms D’Anna’s turn. “We (Left Faction) thought it was her turn last time,” Mr McCartney said. “And it wasn’t her turn. “But we are convinced that she should be there this time. We know Divina has a lot to add to Cabinet.” When Mr Cook sought and ultimately achieved the leadership in 2023, after Mr McGowan resigned from politics, it was the McCartney-led Metal Workers who delivered the numbers for Mr Cook to become Premier — after the Kwinana MP’s own union, the United Workers Union backed Amber-Jade Sanderson. Mr McCartney denied he was asking any favours from Mr Cook – in return for his support for the Kwinana MP to become Premier. “When I supported Roger, that was a good thing for Western Australia,” Mr McCartney said. “I didn’t ask for any favours, and I haven’t got any favours since I did it. “This is another good thing for Western Australia. “That’s why I’m support Divina.” There is 33 Labor MPs aligned to the Left Faction, 25 in the Progressive Labor (right faction) and four unaligned MPs, which had included Mr Papalia. Mr McCartney said he believed the Left had the numbers to roll Mr Pastorelli - if a vote was called on Friday. “I won’t be hugging my pillow tonight, wondering,” Mr McCartney said. “I am comfortable and confident we will get what we need. “We believe so (have the numbers).” He said the AMWU and the United Workers Union – which made up the Left faction” were united and “in step” on their belief Ms D’Anna should be elected to Cabinet. “We have had discussions about whether or not we will move forward on this and we are determined to make sure she (Divina) lands in the right place,” Mr McCartney said. Mr Pastorelli is part of the progressive right faction. “The clear standout (for Cabinet) is Daniel Pastorelli,” one Labor MP said. “This idea that Daniel simply spent 15 months as an MP ignores the fact of his critical contribution to successive governments winning office and being a very big driver of policy as chief of staff.” Mr McCartney acknowledged Mr Pastorelli had worked within the Labor system for many years but did not believe he should be the next cab off the rank. “I am not knocking him (Mr Pastorelli) as a person,” Mr McCartney said. “But what I am saying is that a lot of people need to do their time before they get the brass ring and how he gets to get the brass ring after 15 months (as a Labor MP) – no one is that good.”