Western Australia’s Premier Mark McGowan has announced he is stepping down as the state’s leader.
The Premier made the announcement at a press conference at 12.45pm (2.45pm AEST).
“Today I‘m announcing I will be stepping down as Premier and as member for Rockingham. I was elected as Premier of Western Australia in March 2017, more than six years ago,” he said.
“I served as Opposition Leader for five years, I have held the privileged position of WA labour leader for around 11 and a half years.”
“I have served in Parliament for 26 years as either Premier, Opposition Leader, Minister Shadow Minister Parliamentary Secretary and of course, as the member for Rockingham.”
McGowan said he was “exhausted” by the “all-consuming” position, admitting the Covid years had “taken it out of him”.
“I just don‘t have the energy or drive that is required to continue in the role as Premier. Or to fight that election which would have been my eighth election as a Member of Parliament,” he continued.
“This job is like no other, after seven elections across nearly three decades, now is the right time to step away from the job that I have loved. Therefore, I will be resigning as Premier and member for Rockingham.
“This week will be my final week. It is not a decision I have taken lightly, I‘ve been considering it for quite a while. But I needed to hand down a state budget before a made a final decision.”
McGowan led Labor back to government with an overwhelming victory over the Liberal government in March 2017, and again at the 2021 election.
He enforced some of the toughest Covid-19 restrictions on travel during the pandemic.
He was also Treasurer of WA and handed down a budget earlier this month.
More to come.