Embattled Western Australian Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston will temporarily hand over the portfolio to Minister for Finance, Commerce and Women's Interests Sue Ellery while he goes on holiday.
Six days after riot police and fire fighters were called to Banksia Hill Detention Centre, it was revealed in The West Australian late on Friday that the Minister would be handing responsibility for Corrective Services to Ms Ellery.
The original plan was for Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson to take charge of the state's prison system while Mr Johnston was absent, but the floods crisis in the Kimberley forced a change in plans.
Mr Johnston has come under stinging criticism for months over his handling of youth justice.
In August the Supreme Court found the use of lockdowns against one 14-year-old Banksia Hill detainee on 26 days across four months was unlawful.
Aboriginal Legal Services WA legal services director Peter Collins called for the Minister to be sacked after the ruling.
That same month saw alarming suicide and self-harm figures in youth detention revealed in parliament under questioning by Greens MP Dr Brad Pettit.
Also in August, Noongar law professor Dr Hannah McGlade called for the federal government to intervene and uphold international human rights law in Western Australia's youth detention system.
Experts including current and former WA Children's Court presidents and Inspectors of Custodial Services have condemned Banksia Hill and the use of Unit 18 at Casuarina adult prison to hold young people.
In October the state government announced a review of the Young Offenders Act 1994.
In November leaked CCTV footage from within Banksia Hill sparked a national outcry.
In early December a class action against the state of WA representing hundreds of current and former Banksia Hill detainees began in the Federal Court.
Advocates described the cabinet reshuffle later that month, wherein Mr Johnston kept the Corrective Services job, as a "lost opportunity" for justice reform.
Also in December, National Indigenous Times revealed that the superintendent of Banksia Hill had been moved on from his position, and more than 100 groups and individuals including doctors, lawyers and former judges called for major reform to the youth justice system.
