The Chair’s 20 with the Hon. Reece Whitby MLA

We are pleased to be hosting the Hon. Minister Reece Whitby MLA, at Committee for Perth’s Chair’s 20 event on Thursday, 31 July 2025.

The Hon. Reece Whitby MLA holds a broad and influential portfolio as Minister for Police; Road Safety; Tourism; and the Great Southern, placing him at the heart of key government priorities across tourism, safety and regional development – all key aspects to Western Australia’s economic resilience and liveability.

Motivated by a deep interest in community affairs, Minister Whitby built a respected career in journalism, starting out as a cadet reporter at a country newspaper followed by roles at the ABC, Nine News and Seven News.

The Minister will provide an update across his portfolio, with a particular emphasis on strengthening WA’s tourism sector and its role in driving economic growth for the Perth region. This will be a valuable opportunity for Committee for Perth’s Gold and Silver member organisations to engage in timely discussions on the future of tourism and positioning Perth as a premier destination. As always, our Chair’s 20 event is held in the exquisite dining hall at heritage-listed Lamont’s Bishops House in Perth’s CBD.

Our speaker

Hon. Reece Whitby MLA

The Hon. Reece Whitby MLA is a senior member of the Western Australian Government, currently serving as the Minister for Police; Road Safety; Tourism; and the Great Southern, as well as the Member for Baldivis.

Elected to the Legislative Assembly in March 2017 as the inaugural representative for the newly created seat of Baldivis, Mr. Whitby has been re-elected in both 2021 and 2025. His ministerial career has encompassed a range of portfolios, including Environment, Climate Action, Energy, Racing and Gaming, Emergency Services, Small Business, and Volunteering. Notably, he coordinated Western Australia’s response to climate change, implemented the Plan for Plastics, and oversaw the expansion of the state’s conservation estate through the Plan for Our Parks initiative.

Raised in the northern suburbs of Perth, Mr. Whitby is married to Supreme Court Justice Natalie Whitby, and they have four children.