Premier’s next move after quitting
WA Premier Mark McGowan has only one thing on his agenda when he leaves parliament at the end of the week – a long break.
Mr McGowan announced on Monday he will stand down as both premier and the MP for Rockingham, citing exhaustion after six years in the top job and nearly 30 years in politics.
But although he’s leaving politics, at 55 he doesn’t want to stop working just yet.
“In terms of what’s next for me, I’m going to have a break,” he said with a chuckle.
“I don’t know what else I’ll do; I don’t want to finish work completely.
“Once I’m rested and recuperated, I’ll look for something else to do.”
He joked he could take up the role of outgoing Sunrise host David Koch or coach Richmond’s AFL side – both jobs made vacant recently.
“I’ll see what the future holds. I don’t have any plans – I’ve discussed it with no one.”
Mr McGowan went on to explain the simple reason behind his decision.
“I’m tired. Extremely tired,” he said.
“In fact, I’m exhausted.
“The role of political leadership does not stop, it is relentless. With huge responsibility but it is all consuming, each and every day. And combined with the Covid years, it has taken it out of me.
“I’m convinced WA Labor can win and will win the next election in 2025. But I just don’t have the energy or drive that is required to continue in the role as Premier.”
One reporter asked Mr McGowan how the “burnout” had affected his life.
“Sleepless nights,” said the outgoing Premier.
“Excess worry about things, the Covid experience, three years of every day standing here, having to deal with that, that drained me a lot. But just being Premier drains you.
“I’m not a combative person, but every day I have to engage in argument and debate, and I’m tired of it. That’s political life. If you can’t handle it, don’t get into it … it’s better I say farewell now before I start showing it.”
Mr McGowan would not be drawn on who he thinks should take the reins once he steps down – his deputy Roger Cook will take over as Premier in the interim after Mr McGowan stands down at the end of the week.
Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese released a statement in which he said he spoke to Mr McGowan earlier on Monday to congratulate him on his retirement and all his achievements as Premier.
“Mark leaves office as he led, on his own terms and as his own man,” wrote Mr Albanese.
“Above all, Mark will be remembered for seeing the people of Western Australian safely through one of the most challenging crises in our nation's history.”
WA Nationals leader, and state opposition leader, Shane Love extended his best wishes to Mr McGowan.
“It is an immense privilege to represent the people of Western Australia in Parliament and Mr McGowan has been one of its longest-serving members,” said Mr Love.
“His Parliamentary Ministerial roles will have undoubtedly taken a toll upon on him and I wish the Premier and the McGowan family all the best into the future.”
Born in the NSW city of Newcastle in 1967, Mr McGowan studied law before joining the navy as a legal officer in 1989.
He moved to WA in the early 90s, before being elected to Rockingham City Council in 1994, eventually becoming Deputy Mayor, and was elected to the seat of Rockingham with WA Labor in the 1996 state election.
The now-55-year-old was promoted to cabinet minister under under former Labor premiers Geoff Gallop and Alan Carpenter.
Mr McGowan became leader of the opposition in 2012, before leading the party to a crushing victory over Colin Barnett’s government at the 2017 election, enjoying a second term after another decisive win in 2021.
