The troubled Banksia Hill detention centre will be overseen by a new minister with a justice reform background as Labor sets its sights on a third term.
Incoming West Australian premier Roger Cook on Wednesday unveiled a cabinet reshuffle with minimal changes, pledging to take the "grand-final team" to the 2025 election barring extraordinary circumstances.
But the WA Liberals panned what they described as a lost opportunity for a genuine reset following Mark McGowan's surprise retirement.
Police Minister Paul Papalia will add the corrective services portfolio to his responsibilities, replacing Bill Johnston after a tumultuous period of riots and claims of human rights violations in youth detention.
Mr Johnston remains minister for energy, adding the hydrogen industry portfolio.
Deputy leader Rita Saffioti will become treasurer in addition to retaining the high-spending transport portfolio when the rejigged cabinet is sworn in on Thursday.
She will shed planning and ports, the latter to be overseen by sole newcomer David Michael who also takes on local government and road safety.
With Mr McGowan's exit offering the decimated Liberals renewed hope, his successor pledged to lead an economically strong and socially progressive government.
"This is the team we're taking to the grand final, pending extraordinary circumstances," Mr Cook told reporters.
"It's a government with renewed energy, with renewed focus."
Mr Papalia spent eight years as spokesman for corrective services before Labor came to power in 2017 and will be tasked with balancing community safety and a renewed focus on rehabilitating detained youths.
"He was the architect of our justice reinvestment policies in opposition so I now want him to continue that work," Mr Cook said.
"I'll be working with Paul in this important policy area to make sure that we can provide a fresh set of eyes ... he has the commitment, the courage and he will be able to take that policy area forward very effectively."
Ms Saffioti's dual roles will leave her responsible for maintaining the government's fiscal discipline while also addressing cost blowouts and delays to major infrastructure projects including the $10 billion Metronet train network.
She was confident she had the energy to manage both roles and insisted the expenditure review committee process would ensure accountability.
"The treasurer doesn't just write cheques for their own agencies," she said.
Finance Minister Sue Ellery kept her post despite having already confirmed she will not contest the 2025 election.
Speculation remains over whether Mr Johnston and Attorney-General John Quigley will also retire.
Amber-Jade Sanderson retained the health portfolio after her failed challenge for the Labor leadership revealed rifts within the dominant left faction.
Deputy WA Liberals leader Steve Thomas blamed unions for preventing Mr Cook from making "any real and beneficial change" to his ministry.
"The government has a raft of ministers whose performances were an embarrassment to the former premier, but the new premier has kept them on," Dr Thomas said.
"They must be hoping Roger Cook can cast an equally long shadow and keep them in the shade like Mark McGowan did."