Nedlands MP Jonathan Huston fronts up to explain new shadow roles in deregulation and public sector reform

Jonathan Huston, the new Nedlands MP who shirked questions over surprise shadow portfolios, has declared he wants to reduce costs for businesses and that government needs to treat the public as “customers”. Mr Huston, who was made the shadow spokesman for deregulation and public sector reform by Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas last month, spoke to media outside Parliament this week, where he outlined what the new roles meant. “I’ll be visiting as many peak organisations as possible, learning what their concerns are in terms of their relationship with the government, trying to reduce costs and complications of business,” he said. “I’m looking forward to delivering a really positive platform in 2029 in terms of the public sector, just you know, getting back to those key issues of transparency, accountability for senior public service, most particularly and ensuring that they treat the public like customers, which is what they really ought to be doing.” Asked if deregulation meant a focus on changes to retail trading hours, Mr Huston said any changes needed to also protect small businesses. As public sector reform spokesman, Mr Huston also flagged opposition to the nearing merger of the departments of Treasury and Finance, saying the split model ensured checks and balance. Asked earlier this month about the roles, Mr Huston told The West Australian the brand new portfolio would be explained “in due course” and wouldn’t respond when asked if it is related to trading hours or penalty rates. “In due course, you’ll have a very good response,” he said. “I can do what I like at this stage, I’m just getting myself into Parliament, learning how it works, meeting all the key people. It’s a four-year program we have ahead of us and I’ll take my time in a very deliberative sense.”