L’Estrange, who was elected to Parliament in 2013, takes over from Bill Marmion, who has been promoted to Minister for State Development in Premier Colin Barnett’s reshuffle.

The 48-year-old Member for Churchlands most recently had his own leadership and management consulting business, but before that, he served in Afghanistan as a Lieutenant Colonel with the Australian Defence Force and was a high school economics teacher.

Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia CEO Reg Howard-Smith said the group was looking forward to working with L’Estrange.

“In being given this portfolio, Mr L’Estrange takes on one of the most important sectors to the West Australian economy – an industry which provides significant royalties, jobs and social contributions to the WA landscape,” he said.

“Mr L’Estrange has proved himself to be a solid performer since his election to Parliament in 2013 and we look forward to working with him on a range of advocacy issues.”

Howard-Smith said CME hoped to establish the same sort of relationship with L’Estrange that it had with his predecessor.

“Minister Marmion always listened to the concerns of resource companies and recognised the vital economic importance the sector provides to Western Australia,” he said.

“CME looks forward to continuing to work with Minister Marmion in his new role as Minister for State Development.”

L'Estrange was also congratulated by the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies CEO Simon Bennison.

"AMEC looks forward to working closely with Minister L'Estrange on finishing off the good work done by his predecessor the Hon Bill Marmion in implementing the Reforming Environmental Regulation program through the Mining Legislation Amendment Bill, reducing red tape and further streamlining the approvals process," he said.

“Mining and mineral exploration projects are a vital source of significant employment, revenue and royalty streams to regional communities and the government in Western Australia.

“The industry is facing challenging times so it is more important than ever to ensure Western Australia has the right public policy conditions that are conducive to business and can attract investment in mineral exploration and mining."

L’Estrange will be sworn in tomorrow morning.