‘Exhausted’ McGowan steps down as WA Premier

Mark McGowan has announced he is quitting as Premier of Western Australia, saying he is “exhausted”.

“I’m convinced Labor can win and will win the next election in 2025 but I just don’t have the energy or drive that’s required to continue,” he said.

“This week will be my final week.”

He said he had been considering resigning for “quite a while”.

Mr McGowan said the job he loved, had been tough – especially during the Covid years.

“I’ve loved the challenge of solving problems, making decisions, getting outcomes and helping people,” he said.

“But the truth is I’m extremely tired.

“In fact, the role of political leadership doesn’t stop it comes with huge responsibility. And it’s all-consuming and combined with the Covid years, it’s taken it out of me.”

The 55-year-old Labor leader made the shock announcement at a press conference in Perth at 2.45pm AEST on Monday.

“Today, I’m announcing I’m announcing that I’ll be stepping down as Premier and as Member for Rockingham,” he told the press conference.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve the people of this state and community.”

He said he had served in public life as an MP and councillor for more than 30 years.

“When I was elected as Premier, I had ambitions for our state,” Mr McGowan said.

“I wanted Western Australia to become the strongest or the most successful state in the nation, to become more economically diversified,” he said.

“I stand here today and I know our state is in the position I set out to reach.”

He led Labor back to government with an overwhelming victory over the Liberal government in March 2017, and again at the 2021 election.

He would not nominate his replacement, saying it was up to Labor MPs to decide who would be the next leader.

Mr McGowan said he had no immediate plans for the future, apart from rest, but indicated he was not going to retire completely.