Senior WA minister to retire after 20 years of political life

WA government minister Francis Logan will retire at the next state election after 20 years in politics, saying it is time for someone younger to “pick up the torch”.

Francis Logan will retire from WA politics in March after 20 years of service.

Senior WA Labor minister Francis Logan has announced he will retire at the March state election, bringing an end to a 20-year political career.

Mr Logan, who was first elected as the Member for Cockburn in February 2001, is the minister for emergency services and corrective services.

He was also a minister in the Gallop and Carpenter governments, taking on various portfolios.

Mr Logan, who has made the occasional gaffe over the years, said there would always be regrets.

“That you should have done something better, you shouldn’t have done something or you could have avoided things,” he told reporters on Monday.

Mr Logan said now was the right time to go and encouraged Labor to choose someone with “youth on their side” to replace him.

“It’s very appropriate that young people come through and pick up the torch,” he said.

Premier Mark McGowan said Mr Logan’s service to the state had been outstanding.

“He has been a good friend of mine throughout my own career, as we shared many experiences together over the years, both in government and in opposition,” Mr McGowan said.

WA government minister Francis Logan was first elected in 2001.

Mr Logan came to Australia from the UK in 1980.

“I came from a very, very, very poor background and to be able to achieve as much as I have in Australia by going to university – no one else in my family ever went to university,” he said.

“Then achieving a career with the metal workers’ union, and then achieving 20 years in parliament and rising to become a minister is beyond, not only my wildest dreams, but it certainly would have been way beyond my family’s wildest dreams.

“I couldn’t have done what I’ve done in the UK. It just wouldn’t happen. Those opportunities are not afforded to people like me.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan has thanked Mr Logan for his service. Picture: Colin Murty/The Australian

The premier said Mr Logan had significantly reformed the prison system, including creating WA’s first alcohol and drug treatment prison, and delivering more prison beds.

Mr Logan also oversaw the return of the Wandoo Reintegration Facility and Melaleuca Women’s Prison back into public hands.

“His ministerial responsibilities can be thankless, but his management in dealing with the legacy of overcrowding in our state’s jails has been first-class,” the premier said.