Foster to head Premier's department

Darren Foster has been formally confirmed as director general of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, making him arguably the state's most powerful public servant, in a move forshadowed by Business News in March.

Mr Foster has a close association with Premier Mark McGowan, having spent four years as his chief of staff when Mr McGowan was a minister in the Carpenter government.

He was seconded to a senior role in Premier and Cabinet shortly after the state election in March, and was subsequently appointed acting director general.

As well as being Mr McGowan’s former chief of staff, Mr Foster's past experience includes being deputy director of the government media office and a media adviser to ministers including former treasurer Eric Ripper.

He has 30 years career experience, with his most recent substantive role being deputy director general of the department of fisheries.

The role of director general in Premier and Cabinet has been substantively vacant since August last year, when Peter Conran retired after serving since the Barnett government was elected in 2008.

“The Department of the Premier and Cabinet has two key service delivery areas including administration of executive government services and government policy management,” the state government said in a statement.

“Mr Foster’s role will see him oversee a range of strategic and management activities such as the communication and promotion of the state government’s job-creating policies and initiatives, provision of administrative support to the premier, ministerial offices and the leader of the opposition as well as leadership and co-ordination of cross-agency solutions to complex policy issues.”

Mr McGowan congratulated Mr Foster on his appointment.

“Mr Foster brings a wealth of experience from across policy, management and operational areas which will strengthen his duties in spearheading the administration of executive government services and government policy management,” he said.

“He shows strong qualities of leadership, accountability, collaboration and innovation which are central to his role as the Department of the Premier and Cabinet continues to support my office and the government to serve the Western Australian community.”