Mark McGowan’s wisecrack with journos on last day as premier

Mark McGowan has arrived at work on what is his final day as Western Australia’s premier, and he hasn’t lost his sense of humour.

Mark McGowan, just hours away from officially stepping down as West Australian premier, has arrived at work for his final day in the office.

Arriving at Dumas House, which contains the WA government’s administrative offices, in West Perth on Friday morning, Mr McGowan – driving himself to work from his home in his electorate of Rockingham – stopped to briefly talk to media.

WA Premier Mark McGowan arrives at Dumas House for his last day in the role. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith.

‘I’ve got it in park, so you’re safe,’ joked the Premier with reporters from his car. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith.

“I’m good, really good,” he said through his open car window, “and I think Roger (Cook) and Rita (Saffioti) are terrific, and they’ll do a great job.

“My main emotion, to be honest with you, is gratitude and thanks for what everyone’s done for me, and for what the state’s done for me, and I will always, always feel that.”

Asked if he wanted to say anything to the people of Western Australia, he said: “Thank you, you’ve been great to me, and I think the state’s in a pretty good place and just continue.

“And thanks to you, the media,” he added, “at times we’ve had a difficult relationship, but you’ve got a job to do.”

He then joked with photographers swarming around the vehicle: “I’ve got it in park, so you’re safe. Although some people might be happy if I ran some of you over,” he said, the comment met with laughs.

Mr McGowan is on leave from Saturday, and will resign as an MP after Roger Cook is officially sworn in as premier. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith,

Mr McGowan told reporters he didn’t have ‘second thoughts’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith,

He said he was relieved now it had been a number of days since he made his shock resignation announcement on Monday.

“Still getting used to new life … but hopefully all the attention will go to Roger and Rita … I’m glad I don’t have second thoughts. I’m not regretting it,” Mr McGowan said.

Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti will step into the new roles as premier and deputy premier respectively when they’re sworn in next week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

His deputy Mr Cook announced on Wednesday that he would be taking up the role of premier after securing the support of WA Labor’s Left faction despite United Workers Union MPs siding with Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti will move into the deputy premier role.

Mr Cook will become acting premier when Mr McGowan goes on leave from Saturday.

Mr Cook and Ms Saffioti will then be officially sworn into their new roles some time next week, while Mr McGowan becomes a regular MP and then officially resigns as member for Rockingham.

Thank you, WA.

It's been the privilege of my life. pic.twitter.com/B6tOV2GKbo

— Mark McGowan (@MarkMcGowanMP) May 29, 2023

There’s still no detail on when a by-election for Rockingham will be held.

Freelance electoral analyst Ben Raue, who runs The Tally Room blog, predicts Labor easily holding on to the seat.

“Rockingham is held by one of the largest margins ever seen,” he writes.

“It seems likely that there will be a substantial swing back to a more normal margin, but it’s hard to see Labor losing this seat, even in McGowan’s absence.”

Mr McGowan and his wife Sarah, who will be seeing a lot more of him. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Colin Murty

Mr McGowan scored 82.8 per cent of the vote at the 2021 state election, with a swing in his favour of 21.3 per cent, making Rockingham the safest Labor seat at the time.

The West Australian newspaper reports the most likely frontrunner to run for Rockingham is former Labor state secretary Matthew Dixon.

Mr Dixon resigned from the role in 2019 after the paper revealed he was being investigated over campaign spending.