WA Premier Mark McGowan has stood down from the top job

An ‘exhausted’ Mark McGowan has resigned as premier of Western Australia after six years in the job.

Mark McGowan is quitting as Premier of Western Australia, saying he is “exhausted” after six years in the top job.

“I’m convinced Labor can win and will win the next election in 2025. but I just don’t have the energy or drive that’s required to continue,” he said.

“This week will be my final week.”

He said he had been considering resigning for “quite a while”.

Mr McGowan said he loved the job, but it had been tough – especially during the Covid years.

“I’ve loved the challenge of solving problems, making decisions, getting outcomes and helping people,” Mr McGowan said.

“But the truth is I’m extremely tired.

“In fact, the role of political leadership doesn’t stop, it comes with huge responsibility. And it’s all consuming and combined with the Covid years, it’s taken it out of me.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan made the shock announcement accompanied by his wife Sarah. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Colin Murty

He would not nominate his replacement, saying it was up to Labor MPs to decide who would be the next leader.

But he said he leaves a strong team.

“The cabinet team I leave behind is full of quality, experiences and energy ready to take the state forward,” he said.

At least two of his ministers have enterered the race to replace him.

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Roger Cook confirmed shortly after the Premier’s bombshell that he intended to be a candidate, while Transport Minister Rita Saffioti followed suit soon after.

Health Minister Roger Cook has confirmed he wants to replace Mr McGowan. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Mr McGowan, also is considering a tilt for job. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Philip Gostelow

Mr Cook will be Acting Premier when Mr McGowan leaves the job on Friday until a new leader is decided. Caucus is expected to meet when parliament resumes on June 13.

Mr Cook praised Mr McGowan’s record as premier and said he wanted to continue the job.

“He will leave politics knowing WA has one of the strongest economies in the world during a time of global uncertainty and cost of living pressures.” he said in a statement.

“We have worked extremely hard to put WA in this position. It has not happened by chance. “Our core mission has always been to do the best for Western Australia.

“What we need now more than ever is continuity. We also need the leadership to take WA on the next stage of fulfilling our Government’s vision to diversify and grow the WA economy.”

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti is also sounding out colleagues about replacing Mr McGowan in the top job.

“What our state needs now is stable leadership to take us through the next phase as we face up to new challenges,” she said.

“That is why I am currently speaking with my parliamentary colleagues about the leadership of our party.”

West Australian Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan delivered his state budget in parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith

He enforced some of the toughest Covid-19 restrictions, including locking down the state and enforcing a state of emergency for 963 days.

Mr McGowan was also Treasurer of WA and handed down a budget just two weeks ago.

He also forced the Morrison government to change the GST agreement to provide WA with a better deal.

Under that deal, WA receives 70c of every GST dollar raised from the 2022-23 financial year – going up to 75c in 2023-24. The Albanese government has committed to the deal.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked in an interview with Perth’s 6PR radio later on Monday if he’d been contacted by the premiers of Victoria, NSW or Queensland about the GST agreement following Mr McGowan’s resignation.

“No, not at all,” the Prime Minister said.

“And that is an arrangement between the Australian people and the WA people.”

Mr Albanese said he thought the only thing the other premiers would have to say about WA on Monday was “Well done Mark McGowan”.

Mr McGowan, third from left, at the last national cabinet meeting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass

Mr Albanese led tributes for Mr McGowan.

“Mark leaves office as he led, on his own terms and as his own man. He has been a great Premier of his proud state, an extraordinary leader for WA Labor and a trusted friend,” Mr Albanese said.

“Above all, Mark will be remembered for seeing the people of Western Australia safely through one of the most challenging crises in our nation’s history.”

Mr McGowan made the shock retirement announcement at a press conference in Perth at 2.45pm AEST on Monday.

“Today I’m announcing that I’ll be stepping down as Premier and as Member for Rockingham,” he told the press conference.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of this state and community.”

The 55-year-old said he had served in public life as an MP and councillor for more than 30 years.

“When I was elected as Premier, I had ambitions for our state,” Mr McGowan said.

“I wanted Western Australia to become the strongest or the most successful state in the nation, to become more economically diversified,” he said.

“I stand here today and I know our state is in the position I set out to reach.”

After five years as Opposition Leader, Mr McGowan led Labor back to government in March 2017 with an overwhelming victory that ended the reign of Liberal premier Colin Barnett.

Again at the 2021 election, Labor blitzed the Liberals leaving just two MPs in the lower house, and four Nationals WA MPs.

Mark McGowan has announced he is standing down. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Philip Gostelow

Mr McGowan, who was born in NSW, said it had been a privilege to lead WA.

“Western Australia has provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

“As a young naval officer, when I drove across the border in my Corolla in June 1991 to begin my posting, I’d never imagined I would one day become the premier of Western Australia.”

Mr McGowan thanked his colleagues and staff for their support throughout his years as premier.

He also singled out his family for the role they had played.

“Noone can do this job without the support and understanding of the family – my wife Sarah, and our three children Samuel, Alexander and Amelia,” he said.

He also thanked his parents, his parents-in-law, and brother.

Mr McGowan thanked his family, including his wife Sarah (right), for their support. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Colin Murty

Mr McGowan said he had no immediate plans for the future, apart from rest, but indicated he was not going to retire completely.
“I’m going to have a break for a while. I don’t know what else I’ll do. I don’t want to finish work completely.”

Mr McGowan is not the first state leader to stand down following the Covid pandemic.

Last April, Peter Gutwein stood down as Premier of Tasmania during a snap press conference when he had “nothing left in the tank to give”.

“Unless you can give 110 per cent to the role of premier, you should not be doing this job. I can no longer give 110 per cent,” he said.

Mr Gutwein said he now wanted to focus on his own family: “My wife and kids have just been outstanding in their support, but that period through Christmas completely drained me.”

Mr McGowan announced he was standing down on Monday as Premier of Western Australia. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Sharon Smith