Minister for Lands is a position in the government of Western Australia, currently held by John Carey of the Labor Party. The position was first created in 1870, under the name Commissioner of Crown Lands, at a time when Western Australia was still a British colony and had not yet achieved responsible government. Except for a brief period between 2001 and 2003, it has existed in every government since then. The minister is currently responsible for the state government's Land Use Management division comprising part of the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, which is responsible for the management of crown land in Western Australia.