‘One of the standouts’: Fellow MPs pay tribute to outgoing Premier Mark McGowan

Fellow politicians have paid tribute to outgoing Premier Mark McGowan after the bombshell announcement he will step down as Premier and member for Rockingham at the end of this week. Members in neighbouring south metropolitan electorates spoke of their work and friendships with the Premier. Baldivis MLA and Environment Minister Reece Whitby thanked Mr McGowan for being a “remarkable” premier and “one of the standouts”. “He steered us through one of our greatest challenges short of war during COVID while creating tens of thousands of new jobs, diversifying our local industry and restoring WA’s position as the nation’s strongest and most successful economies,” Mr Whitby said. “His passion for conservation and the environment will be one of his finest legacies.” Warnbro MLA and Police Minister Paul Papalia farewelled his colleague and friend of 30 years with a Facebook post sharing a photo of the pair from their early days in Parliament. “Thank you Mark McGowan for your strength and leadership of Western Australia in extraordinary times,” Mr Papalia said. “Proud to have served with you.” Kwinana MLA and Deputy Premier Roger Cook, who has already announced his intention to take over from Mr McGowan, said his colleague was a “towering figure” whose work ethic and professionalism “has always been inspirational”. “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. Federal member for Brand Madeleine King, whose electorate covers both Rockingham and Kwinana State electorates, wished the Premier “all the best” for his life post-politics. “He has been a great leader for our beautiful state of WA and a wonderful Member for Rockingham,” she said. “I would like to wish Mark and his family all the best for the future.” City of Rockingham mayor Deb Hamblin said she was “shocked and saddened” by the news, but wished the best for her Rockingham colleague. “He has always supported our libraries and schools,” Ms Hamblin said, sharing a memory from before her council days. “When I was chair of Kolbe Catholic College, we were opening the new arts building and he said it was the only building built with chocolate; the kids had raised money in those days with a chocolate drive,” she said. Ms Hamblin said Mr McGowan was always prepared and willing to attend local awards nights in Rockingham despite his busy schedule as Premier. “I’m appreciative of everything he has done for our city,” she said. Mr McGowan’s departure now triggers a by-election for the seat of Rockingham, with a date yet to be set as the Premier’s resignation becomes formalised later in the week.