Labor stalwart’s retirement opens door for WA Premier’s right-hand man to enter politics

WA Labor stalwart Margaret Quirk has announced she is retiring from politics, the eighth MP to reveal they will exit the chamber ahead of the March 2025 state election.

Quirk has served under four Labor premiers since she was first elected to Parliament as the Member for Girrawheen in 2001.

Margaret Quirk (left); and her tipped successor, Daniel Pastorelli (seated), at a dinner alongside former Premier Mark McGowan in 2023 (right).

During her time in Parliament Quirk served as government whip as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Justice and as chair of several standing committees including the committee with oversight of the Corruption and Crime Commission.

“It has been an enormous privilege and honour to represent and assist so many in the diverse and rapidly expanding northern suburbs,” she said.

“Over the years, with changes to the seat, I’ve looked after the interests of those living in Balga, Mirrabooka, Hamersley, Warwick, Girrawheen, Koondoola, Marangaroo, Alexander Heights, Landsdale, Madeley, Darch, Wangara, Pearsall and Hocking.

“These were tremendous opportunities, and I hope I performed each of these roles with enthusiasm and to the best of my ability.”

The Labor Party will pre-select a replacement later this month, with speculation rife it will be Daniel Pastorelli, the chief of staff of Premier Roger Cook and one of former premier Mark McGowan’s most trusted advisor.

Pastorelli has been linked to a move to parliament after sounding out the right faction members for preselection in the ultra-safe Labor seat of Landsdale.

The 36-year-old, who is married with a young son, also lives in the Landsdale electorate.

Attorney General John Quigley and ministers Sue Ellery and Bill Johnston have all confirmed they will retire as well as backbenchers Lisa Baker, Matthew Hughes, Chris Tallentire and Peter Tinley.

At the 2021 state election Labor’s Mark McGowan romped it in on the back of extraordinary popularity in the state mostly due to his tough stance on COVID-19 control.

For the WA Liberal Party it was one of the worst election annihilations in Australian history.

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