West Australian Premier Mark McGowan texted billionaire Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes thanking him for his support after the government introduced legislation to prevent Clive Palmer’s Mineralogy from pursuing a $30 billion claim against the state.

Text messages between the Premier and Mr Stokes, including Mr McGowan praising three “marvellous front pages” in The West Australian newspaper, were revealed on Wednesday in the Federal Court amid defamation action between Mr Palmer and Mr McGowan.