Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan has announced he is stepping down due to exhaustion, at a bombshell announcement in Perth.
Look back on today's events.
Key events
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Live updates
That's all folks!
By Kate Christian
What a monumental day it has been in WA politics !
Thanks so much for following along as the state reacted to Mark McGowan's shock announcement, and for sharing your thoughts on this huge news.
You can also read more about today's events in our main story:
Update
By Kate Christian
State political reporter Keane Bourke provides a helpful recap of today's extraordinary events in this vertical video.
Rita Saffioti contemplating tilt at leadership
By Kate Christian
By ABC journalist Nicolas Perpitch:
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti indicated she was considering putting her hand up for the leadership.
“What our state needs now is stable leadership to take us through the next phase as we face up to new challenges,” she said.
“That is why I am currently speaking with my parliamentary colleagues about the leadership of our party.”
Ms Saffioti has long been a close confidante of Mr McGowan.
“The premier’s resignation has come as a huge shock for everyone,” she said.
“I have known the premier for more than 25 years and I have admired his leadership and dedication to our state.
“Not only do I count the premier as a colleague and confidant, but I also count him as a close friend, and I am proud to see our shared vision of a transformed public transport system being delivered for the people of Western Australia.”
Sandgropers 'shocked and sad' to see McGowan go
By Kate Christian
Thanks to all of you who sent in your comments on Mr McGowan's resignation.
Many of you are sad to see him go, and praised him for his handling of the pandemic:
Jas: I've just heard the news and I'm so shocked and sad. I'm sad that Mr McGowan is so exhausted and I'm so sad to be losing him as a leader. He did such a fantastic job as leader - especially during Covid - and I don't know what we'll do without him.
Josh: Can we do a "favourite press conference" segment? Mine is the "can you eat a kebab while going for a run" episode - what a smash hit!
Lyn Manuel: Such a sad day for Western Australia. Thank you Mark for all you have done and all you tried to do. Love you mate.
Chris Uphill: Gone Fishing Mark? You've earned it. Thank you.
Steve: You did a fantastic job during the pandemic, Mark, and promoting WA generally. You will be sorely missed. One of the greatest leaders in world history.
Natty: I'll put it to you that McGowan appointed himself treasurer because he is a control freak. We learnt a similar thing with Morrison.
Roger Cook to throw hat in the ring
By Kate Christian
By ABC journalist Nicolas Perpitch:
Deputy Premier Roger Cook has confirmed he will put himself forward to lead the Labor party and become the next premier.
Mr Cook said that after six years as Mr McGowan’s number two, what the state needed more than ever was continuity.
“We also need the leadership to take WA onto the next stage of fulfilling our government’s vision to diversify and grow the WA economy,” Mr Cook said in a statement.
“If there is one thing that being the Member for Kwinana has taught me, it is that a strong economy needs to deliver for everybody.
“As a born and bred Western Australian, I will always champion our state and all of the communities that make it the best place to live in Australia at every opportunity.
“I will be putting myself forward to be the next Premier of Western Australia.”
As a member of the United Workers Union, Mr Cook is a leading figure in the Labor party’s dominant left faction.
Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, who is touted as a potential leadership candidate too, is also part of the left faction.
Mr Cook is the current minister for Tourism, Jobs and Trade, State Development, Commerce, and Science, and was previously Health Minister.
He said it had been a privilege to serve alongside Mr McGowan.
“Mark is a towering figure in Western Australian life whose dedication and service to our state will resonate for generations to come,” he said.
“I had the rare opportunity to work together with the Premier in our unprecedented response to the COVID-19 epidemic.
“His professionalism and work ethic has always been inspirational."
PM says McGowan 'stood strong' for WA
By Kate Christian
By reporter Cason Ho:
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Mr McGowan as a "friend" and an "extraordinarily successful premier".
“During the pandemic, Mark McGowan stood strong. He stood strong against the claims that WA people should just open up. He did the right thing in order to keep West Australians safe," Mr Albanese said.
“He also has built an extraordinarily strong economy, and WA has been a powerhouse for the nation in creating jobs, in creating economic growth, and in securing a positive future at what was a very difficult time that saw some other economies really struggle.
"We know that without WA being so strong, the recession that occurred would have been deeper and longer and Mark Mcgowan has, through social, environmental and economic policy, built a stronger WA and I wish him all the very best for the future.
Liberal Leader applauds McGowan's 'significant contribution'
By Kate Christian
By reporter Cason Ho:
WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam says Mark McGowan made a “significant contribution” to the state over his nearly-three decades in public life.
“Being given the opportunity to serve is an honour and a privilege, but it can undoubtedly take its toll,” she said.
“We have always questioned why the premier had undertaken the role of treasurer as well, given the significant size of the caucus that WA Labor has enjoyed.”
Ms Mettam said, despite Mr McGowan’s popularity, his resignation made no difference to her party’s plans at the next election.
“The Liberals have always seen the next state election as contestable,” she said.
What's the word on the street?
By Kate Christian
ABC journalist Kenith Png spoke to locals in Mr McGowan’s electorate of Rockingham, who expressed their surprise at his resignation, and reflected on his leadership during, and prior to, the pandemic.
“It's a bit sad, we loved his work. We are grateful for everything he's done for us especially during COVID," said Charleen.
Emmanuel, whose children went to the same school as Mr McGowan, said he was "shocked" to hear of his retirement.
"I've seen him around talking to people. He's a local, normal person."
Locals also spoke of seeing him supporting local businesses regularly and being out and about in the community.
"He's very local to the area. I used to work at a local coffee place and he was always there as a customer," Chloe said.
"I hope that whatever he does next is going to be right for him and he won't be so tired anymore."
Another man was concerned about who would replace Mr McGowan.
"It's a sad day for us mate, we like him, we think he’s done really well over COVID," he said.
"We’re going to miss him and we don’t know who we're going to get to replace him, that’s the problem."
No-one who was interviewed had a bad word to say about the former premier.
Resignation to 'come at a cost' to WA Labor
By Kate Christian
WA Opposition and Nationals leader Shane Love said Mr McGowan’s resignation would “come at a cost” to the WA Labor party, which has enjoyed overwhelming popularity in recent years.
“There’s no doubt that the McGowan name was very much the brand of this particular Labor government,” he said.
Mr Love said the premier’s decision to appoint himself as the state’s treasurer after winning the 2021 state election likely put him under undue pressure.
“It certainly was a role that he could have selected someone else to do. That, no doubt, would also have added to his workload."
'The cult of the personality'
By Gian De Poloni
WA Liberal senator Linda Reynolds wished Mark McGowan well on national TV this afternoon, but was critical about his politics.
"There is not a single indicator that he left things better in six years than he inherited it," she told ABC's Afternoon Briefing.
"I think what today will mark is a fundamental transformation in the politics of Western Australia because we will go from the politics of the single person — the cult of the personality — which has really sucked the oxygen out of the political debate in Western Australia because it has been about all one man,"
"That might be a compliment to him being a great politician, but its come at a great detriment to the state of Western Australia."
McGowan's resignation will have 'big consequences'
By Kate Christian
By State Political Reporter Keane Bourke:
Every once in a while, people would get bored and talk about what life post-McGowan might look like.
But you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who thought it would happen this election cycle.
After all, the premier was adamant he’d see out the 2025 election and no one had any reason to doubt him.
He’s had some massive jobs — not the least of which being steering the state through COVID — while also trying to get big things happening both in and out of parliament.
He made bold decisions — to close the borders, to delay the state’s reopening, to make tough choices in managing the state's finances and many more.
For the most part they paid off, even if luck with things like iron ore prices did help.
But at times, the bold decisions came with a fair bit of blow back.
The toll of that is what we saw today. Even for a self-confessed workaholic, it became too much.
And just like many of those other decisions he’s made in the last few years, today’s announcement will come with some big consequences, and not just for his party.
Got any questions or comments?
By Gian De Poloni
You can send in your questions and comments in the panel at the top left. We love to read them — and will aim to answer all your queries!
Here's what you've been saying so far:
C: I’m really shocked by this announcement. Wishing Mark all the best. It takes courage to make this kind of big decision.
Josh: If I had the choice of resigning as WA premier the day before or the day an event where my job was to cuddle adorable puppies, I would also go for the day after. Unfortunately I've never had to make that choice.
Maureen Carsin: Thank you so much Mark for your resilience … by making such tough decisions during the pandemic you kept everyone as safe as we could be and I’ll be forever grateful that my loved ones are alive and healthy. Whatever your future holds for you I wish you all the very best.
Jordan: This is an absolute joke now he get a pension at the age of 45. Sorry but I am tired and exhausted as well but I will not receive a pension until I am at least 65 if I am lucky. They should learn to suck it up. Its their job.
Ian: One of our best ever premiers. Probably the best of all given the circumstances of his years in the role
'I didn't see it coming'
By Kate Christian
Plaudits flowed in from current and former politicians, who described Mark McGowan as a "progressive" and "strong" leader who was cool as a cucumber under pressure.
Former Labor Party leader Jim McGinty said he doubts whether anybody in WA could have predicted Mr McGowan's bombshell announcement.
"I didn't see it coming," he said.
"Mark was very balanced, very level, and never showed the enormous pressure that we all knew he was under."
Mr McGinty, who served in cabinet with Mr McGowan, described him as "super balanced" and someone who never lost his temper despite the huge demands of serving as both premier and treasurer.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers mocked up an entertaining tribute, in which he and Mr McGowan featured as Woody and Buzz on the front page of the state's newspaper:
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk also posted glowing tweets.
Bring out the tissues!
By Gian De Poloni
The sign that this was going to be a very unusual press conference came much before the Premier had even walked in!
One of the Premier's staff was clutching a box of tissues as his Cabinet colleagues filed into the room.
Antony Green says McGowan became a political juggernaut
By Gian De Poloni
The ABC election analyst says the outgoing WA Premier has left a legacy in both state and federal politics.
West Australians pay homage to 'State Daddy'
By Kate Christian
Sandgropers took to Twitter to post some hilarious tributes to Mark McGowan, who earned the title of State Daddy during his management of the pandemic.
Mr McGowan achieved rock star status during COVID times, as West Australians tuned in daily to his popcorn-worthy press conferences.
Hard-core fans went out and got tattoos of the premier downing a pint, and there was even a McGowan-themed cereal.
Here are some golden nuggets from the Twittersphere:
COVID hero or villain, depending on who you ask
By Gian De Poloni
Reporting by Cason Ho
Mark McGowan enjoyed overwhelming popularity in his second term throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, enacting the nation’s strictest border policies.
The approach came with its critics too, with some arguing it was a heavy-handed approach, and prompting then-Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce to describe WA as a “kind of hermit kingdom”.
Criticism was even harsher when Mr McGowan postponed his initial border opening date.
However, he has consistently argued his approach helped keep West Australians safe and bolstered WA’s economy while the rest of the country struggled.
Read more about this story:
What a difference a day can make!
By Gian De Poloni
It's the news nobody saw coming.
Just yesterday, the premier was out and about at the RSPCA's Million Paws Walk cuddling dogs and playing with children.
Mr McGowan even held a press conference at the event which covered a range of topics — but certainly no questions were asked about his political future.
And it was never in question. Mark McGowan has cemented himself as WA's most popular premier ever — if opinion polls are anything to go by.
Is Mark McGowan the Jerry Seinfeld of WA politics?
Who will replace Mark McGowan?
By Kate Christian
Political analyst Martin Drum says Deputy Premier Roger Cook and Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson are seen as the most likely contenders for the role.
Mr Drum feels Ms Sanderson may have the edge because of her recent prominence, and the fact that she's seen as a "rising star" in the WA Labor Party.
But he said Mr Cook, who steered the state through COVID when he was health minister, would also be in the running.
Mr Drum said Transport Minister Rita Saffioti could also be a possibility, but the left faction is more likely to back Mr Cook or Ms Sanderson.
There was a lot of speculation on Twitter around whether Mr Cook would take on the role.
McGowan: 'Relentless' pressure has worn me down
By Gian De Poloni
Surrounded by his cabinet at the press conference, Mr McGowan said the "relentless" pressures of political life had worn him down.
"I've loved the challenge of solving problems, making decisions, getting outcomes, and helping people," he said.
"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."
Mr McGowan said he still believed in the Labor party, and had confidence it would win the next state election.
'I'm convinced WA Labor can win, and will win … but I just don't have the energy or drive that's required to continue in the role as premier," he said.
