CONFIRMED: Premier Mark McGowan to walk away from politics in bombshell announcement

Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed he is stepping down as the State’s leader, after more than six years in a role he described as relentless, all-consuming and exhausting. As exclusively revealed by The West Australian from top sources this morning, Mr McGowan announced he would relinquish the position due to burnout, saying he was “pretty much spent”. The Labor leader, who is also the Treasurer, was elected as the 30th Premier of WA in 2017, in an epic landslide victory. Announcing the bombshell decision, Mr McGowan said he would step down not just as Premier but also as Member for Rockingham by the end of this week. A spokesman for the Premier told The West Australian that nothing was confirmed yet on the exact timing of Mr McGowan’s resignation. Senior Labor sources told The West Australian an emergency meeting of caucus would need to be scheduled to start the election of the next Labor leader, with the next meeting not set until June 13. Following that meeting, nominations would open for the position. Should more than one candidate nominate, the leadership will be voted on by both Caucus members and the party membership. Surrounded by his Cabinet at a snap press conference on Monday afternoon, Mr McGowan said he no longer had the “energy or drive” to continue not just as Premier but in politics altogether. “The truth is, I’m tired, extremely tired. In fact, I’m exhausted,” he told reporters. ”The role of political leadership does not stop - it’s relentless. “It comes with huge responsibility that is all-consuming each and every day. And combined with the COVID years, it’s taken it out of me. “It’s not a normal job. Being Premier takes a huge toll on your family life.” Mr McGowan said he’d had sleepless nights and “excess worry”, but he had wanted to wait until after the State Budget had been handed down to make the announcement. “I sort of worked out I didn’t want to fight the next election. And the next election is … 20 months away or so,” he said. “And I wanted to give my successor whoever that is the opportunity to cement themselves and create their own way and their own agenda, and enough time to bed themselves in. “Now is the right time to step away. “Once you make a decision in your head, it’s hard to then hold out, you know, implementing it.” Mr McGowan said he was not naturally combative but that’s what political life was all about. “Every day, I have to engage in an argument and debate and confrontation one way or another. And I’m kind of tired of it,” he said. “If you don’t want to do that, don’t get into politics.” Mr McGowan said he left with no regrets. “There are obviously things I’d like to see through: I’d like to open some of the new rail lines and I’d like to see the passing of some of our legislative reform,” he said, including equal opportunities laws and a complete overhaul of the 50-year-old firearms act. “But I’ll be able to see it. I just won’t be at the press conference, that’s all.” He did not say who he would like to see as his successor. Mr McGowan revealed that he told some of his Cabinet ministers — many of whom looked upset and shocked — this morning, along with his family and staff. He said he didn’t have any plans for the future at this stage “but I don’t want to stop work”. Mr McGowan said it had been an honour and privilege to serve the people of WA. “It is way beyond what I could ever have imagined my career would amount to,” he said. “As a young naval officer, when I drove across the Nullarbor in my Corolla in June 1991, to be given my posting at Garden Island, I never imagined I would one day become the Premier of Western Australia. “I’ve loved the role. I’ve loved the challenge of solving problems, making decisions, getting outcomes and helping people. “I just wanted to leave the State in a better position than I found it.” He said the State Government had achieved the ambitions he had set including getting a fair GST share, returning the budget to surplus and regaining the triple-A credit rating. “I’m actually very proud of some of the environmental things ... it’s going to be 5 million additional hectares in national marine parks by the end of this term ... not cutting down forests anymore,” he said. Mr McGowan also cited lifting the age for financially supporting foster children from 18 to 21. The usual protocols will be in place for a leadership spill, with party insiders hoping only one contender throws their hat in the ring. This will either be Deputy Premier Roger Cook or Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson. Mr McGowan’s wife Sarah declined to comment as she exited but smiled at the media. The Labor leader rose to rock-star status as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, achieving polling politicians wouldn’t dare dream of. He was so popular, voters would shout out admiring comments when they saw him holding outdoor press conferences - with some even tattooing his image on their bodies. Others dubbed him “State Daddy” for his staunch stance on keeping WA citizens safe from the virus.