Mark McGowan
{{short description|30th Premier of Western Australia}}
{{about|the Australian politician}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Honourable
| honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC|size=100}}
| name = Mark McGowan
| image = Mark McGowan headshot.jpg
| caption = McGowan in April 2014
| office = 30th Premier of Western Australia
| monarch = Elizabeth II
Charles III
| governor = Kerry Sanderson
Kim Beazley
Chris Dawson
| term_start = 17 March 2017
| term_end = 8 June 2023
| deputy = Roger Cook
| predecessor = Colin Barnett
| successor = Roger Cook
| office1 = Treasurer of Western Australia
| term_start1 = 18 March 2021
| term_end1 = 8 June 2023
| predecessor1 = Ben Wyatt
| successor1 = Rita Saffioti
| office2 = Leader of the Western Australian
Labor Party
| term_start2 = 23 January 2012
| term_end2 = 6 June 2023
| deputy2 = Roger Cook
| predecessor2 = Eric Ripper
| successor2 = Roger Cook
| office3 = Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia
Elections: 2013
| premier3 = Colin Barnett
| term_start3 = 23 January 2012
| term_end3 = 17 March 2017
| deputy3 = Roger Cook
| predecessor3 = Eric Ripper
| successor3 = Mike Nahan
| office4 = Member of the Legislative Assembly
for Rockingham
| term_start4 = 14 December 1996
| term_end4 = 8 June 2023
| predecessor4 = Mike Barnett
| successor4 = Magenta Marshall
{{Collapsed infobox section begin|Other ministerial offices|titlestyle= background-color:#eee}}
| office5 = Minister for Public Sector Management
| term_start5 = 17 March 2017
| term_end5 = 19 March 2021
| predecessor5 = Bill Marmion
| successor5 = Roger Cook
| office6 = Minister for Education and Training
| term_start6 = 13 December 2006
| term_end6 = 23 September 2008
| premier6 = Alan Carpenter
| predecessor6 = Ljiljanna Ravlich
| successor6 = Liz Constable
| office7 = Minister for the Environment
| term_start7 = 3 February 2006
| term_end7 = 13 December 2006
| premier7 = Alan Carpenter
| predecessor7 = Judy Edwards
| successor7 = Tony McRae
| office8 = Minister for Disability Services
| term_start8 = 13 October 2005
| term_end8 = 2 March 2007
| premier8 = Geoff Gallop
Alan Carpenter
| predecessor8 = Bob Kucera
| successor8 = Margaret Quirk
| office9 = Minister for Tourism, Racing and Gaming
| term_start9 = 10 March 2005
| term_end9 = 13 December 2006
| premier9 = Geoff Gallop
Alan Carpenter
| predecessor9 = Nick Griffiths
| successor9 = Sheila McHale
John Bowler
| office10 = Minister for the Peel and South West
| term_start10 = 10 March 2005
| term_end10 = 23 September 2008
| premier10 = Geoff Gallop
Alan Carpenter
| predecessor10 = Norm Marlborough
| successor10 = David Templeman
{{Collapsed infobox section end}}
| birth_place = Newcastle, New South Wales
| spouse = {{marriage|Sarah Miller|1996}}
| children = 3
| residence = Rockingham, Western Australia
| alma_mater = University of Queensland
| profession = {{hlist|Lawyer|politician}}
| party = Labor
| education = Casino High School
Coffs Harbour High School
| religion =
| signature = Mark McGowan signature 2020.svg
| allegiance = {{flagdeco|Australia}} Australia
| branch = {{plainlist|
- Royal Australian Navy (1989–1996)
- Naval Reserve (1996–present)
}}
| serviceyears = 1989–present
| rank = Lieutenant
| unit = {{HMAS|Stirling||6}}
| commands =
| battles =
| mawards = Commendation for Brave Conduct
| website = {{URL|https://www.markmcgowan.com.au/}}
}}
Mark McGowan {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AC|size=85%}} (born 13 July 1967) is an Australian former politician and naval officer who served as the 30th premier of Western Australia from 2017 until his retirement in 2023. He was the leader of the Western Australian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 2012 to 2023 and a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the district of Rockingham from 1996 to 2023.
McGowan was born and raised in Newcastle, New South Wales. He attended the University of Queensland and worked as a legal officer for the Royal Australian Navy, serving at naval base {{HMAS|Stirling}}, south of Perth. Settling in Western Australia, he was elected as a councillor for the City of Rockingham from 1994, and was later elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly at the 1996 election, representing the district of Rockingham. In 2001, he was made Parliamentary Secretary to Premier Geoff Gallop, and was later a Cabinet Minister in both the Gallop and Carpenter Governments from 2005 to 2008.
McGowan was elected as Leader of the Labor Party in Western Australia following the resignation of Eric Ripper, and became Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly. Although he led Labor to defeat at the 2013 election, he retained his position as leader, and embarked upon a "listening tour" of the state, pledging to restore Labor's credibility with voters. McGowan subsequently grew in popularity, and went on to lead Labor to a landslide victory at the 2017 election, winning the largest majority government in the state's history at the time. He was subsequently appointed the 30th Premier of Western Australia.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/new-wa-labor-government-sworn-in-pledge-to-create-jobs/8362988|title=Mark McGowan sworn in as WA's 30th Premier|date=17 March 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317132359/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/new-wa-labor-government-sworn-in-pledge-to-create-jobs/8362988|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live}}
Throughout 2020, McGowan led Western Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time he reached a record-breaking approval rating for an Australian premier of 91%. At the 2021 election, he led his party to an even larger landslide victory, winning 53 out of 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly, and also winning a majority in the Legislative Council. This was the largest victory in terms of both vote share and proportion of lower house seats occupied in Australian electoral history.{{Cite web|url = https://www.smh.com.au/politics/western-australia/wa-state-election-2021-live-clear-favourite-mark-mcgowan-heads-for-second-term-in-government-20210308-p578uu.html|title = WA state election 2021 as it happened: Total Liberal wipeout as rockstar Premier Mark McGowan celebrates landslide win|date = 13 March 2021|access-date = 13 March 2021|archive-date = 14 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210314191325/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/western-australia/wa-state-election-2021-live-clear-favourite-mark-mcgowan-heads-for-second-term-in-government-20210308-p578uu.html|url-status = live}} He resigned as premier and as a member of parliament on 8 June 2023.
Early political career
In 1994, after settling with his family in Western Australia, McGowan was elected to the City of Rockingham Council, and in 1995 was appointed Deputy Mayor. He was subsequently pre-selected to run for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly in the seat of Rockingham at the 1996 election, following the retirement of long-serving MP Mike Barnett.
At the 2001 election, Labor defeated the Liberal–National Government; new Premier Geoff Gallop chose to appoint McGowan as his Parliamentary Secretary.{{cite web|title=Six MPS appointed Parliamentary Secretaries|url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Gallop/2001/03/Six-MPS-appointed-Parliamentary-Secretaries.aspxminister=Gallop&admin=Gallop&page=10|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=23 March 2001|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235826/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Gallop/2001/03/Six-MPS-appointed-Parliamentary-Secretaries.aspxminister%3DGallop%26admin%3DGallop%26page%3D10|archive-date=15 July 2018|url-status=live}} McGowan was also responsible for chairing the state's ANZAC Committee, the group managing the Western Australia's 175th anniversary celebrations in 2004, and for chairing the Bali Memorial Steering Committee.{{cite web|title=Bali Memorial Dedication Ceremony Finalised|url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Gallop/2003/10/Bali-Memorial-dedication-ceremony-finalised.aspx|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=7 March 2003|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715235817/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Gallop/2003/10/Bali-Memorial-dedication-ceremony-finalised.aspx|archive-date=15 July 2018|url-status=live}} In January 2005, following the retirement of federal Labor Leader Mark Latham from politics, McGowan was criticised in some quarters for taking unapproved leave to travel to Sydney to lobby for Kim Beazley's return to the federal leadership; Gallop reprimanded McGowan and ordered him to return to Perth.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/wa/stories/s1286424.htm |title=Politician says sorry |last=Bartlett |first=Liam |work=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=21 January 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050909055721/http://www.abc.net.au/wa/stories/s1286424.htm |archive-date=9 September 2005 }}
Following Labor's win at the 2005 election, Gallop reshuffled his Ministry, and promoted McGowan to the role of Minister for Tourism, Racing and Gaming.{{cite web|title=Government Gazette|url=http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/gazette.nsf/searchgazette/9BDD5BEA7BF0C65448256FC00022361D/$file/gg042.pdf|publisher=State Law Publisher|date=10 March 2005|access-date=5 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055419/http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/gazette/gazette.nsf/searchgazette/9BDD5BEA7BF0C65448256FC00022361D/$file/gg042.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}} Later that year, following Gallop's retirement, McGowan was moved to the role of Minister for the Environment by new Premier Alan Carpenter. During his time in the Ministry, McGowan introduced major liquor reforms, including the introduction of small bars, created the Department of Environment and Conservation, and provided approval for the Gorgon gas project.{{cite web|title=New liquor laws to improve choice, flexibility for public and business|url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2006/03/New-liquor-laws-to-improve-choice,-flexibility-for-public-and-business.aspx|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=28 March 2006|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504205122/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2006/03/New-liquor-laws-to-improve-choice,-flexibility-for-public-and-business.aspx|archive-date=4 May 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=New agency to strengthen environment portfolio|url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2006/05/New-agency-to-strengthen-environment-portfolio.aspx|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=23 May 2006|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065544/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2006/05/New-agency-to-strengthen-environment-portfolio.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=$15b Gorgon Gas Project Gets Greenlight|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-12-12/15b-gorgon-gas-project-gets-greenlight/2151898|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=12 December 2006|access-date=5 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403025604/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-12-12/15b-gorgon-gas-project-gets-greenlight/2151898|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live}}
In December 2006, following the resignation of Ljiljanna Ravlich, Carpenter appointed McGowan to replace her as Minister for Education and Training. In this portfolio, McGowan oversaw the replacement of outcomes-based education with syllabus documents, re-established traditional forms of marking and reporting, and launched a renewed effort towards the attraction and retention of teachers.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-12-12/obe-a-90s-fad-mcgowan/986056|title=OBE a 90s fad: McGowan|work=ABC Online|date=12 December 2007|access-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402202846/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-12-12/obe-a-90s-fad-mcgowan/986056|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/revived-syllabus-kills-off-school-fad/story-e6frg6pf-1111115100117|title=Revived syllabus kills off school fad|last=O'Brien|first=Amanda|work=The Australian|date=13 December 2007|access-date=8 August 2012}}{{cite web|title=Back to basics as new K-10 syllabus unveiled|url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2007/12/Back-to-basics-as-new-K-10-syllabus-unveiled.aspx|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=12 December 2007|access-date=29 April 2017|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203231733/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Carpenter/2007/12/Back-to-basics-as-new-K-10-syllabus-unveiled.aspx|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Scholarship campaign leaves no stone unturned|url=http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/ArchivedStatements/Pages/CarpenterLaborGovernmentSearch.aspx?ItemId=130618&minister=McGowan&admin=Carpenter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928035630/http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/ArchivedStatements/Pages/CarpenterLaborGovernmentSearch.aspx?ItemId=130618&minister=McGowan&admin=Carpenter|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2009|publisher=Government of Western Australia|date=31 July 2008}}
In April 2008, McGowan was criticised by some for referring to ex-Labor MP John D'Orazio as "the worst ethnic branch stacker in the history of Labor in Western Australia"; both McGowan and Premier Carpenter apologised for the remarks.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/10/2213203.htm|title=ABC News – "Ethnic branch stacker" a common phrase: McGowan|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=10 April 2008|access-date=27 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414140942/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/10/2213203.htm|archive-date=14 April 2008|url-status=dead}} McGowan later apologised to anyone who took offence to the remark.{{cite news|url=http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=67289 |work=The West Australian |title=Carpenter apologises for McGowan's ethnic slur |date=10 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080426093507/http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77 |archive-date=26 April 2008 }} The issue returned to the media spotlight when it was revealed that McGowan had had some dealings over fundraising with the controversial politician Brian Burke during the 2005 election.{{cite web|url=http://www.abcscience.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/02/2233720.htm|title=Carpenter defends McGowan over dealings with Brian Burke|work=ABC News|date=2 May 2008|access-date=28 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123228/http://www.abcscience.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/02/2233720.htm|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=live}}
Leader of the Opposition
After Labor's defeat at the 2008 election, Alan Carpenter resigned as Leader of the Labor Party in Western Australia; McGowan was considered one of several contenders to replace him, but he chose not to run, instead supporting the eventual winner Eric Ripper, who was elected unopposed. McGowan did choose to contest the election for Deputy Leader, but lost to newcomer Roger Cook by 30 votes to 9.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/16/2366048.htm|title=Ripper elected WA Labor Leader|work=ABC News|date=16 September 2008|access-date=19 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019232130/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/09/16/2366048.htm|archive-date=19 October 2008|url-status=dead}} Ripper appointed McGowan to the Shadow Ministry as Shadow Minister for State Development, Trade, Planning, Housing and Works, and was also appointed as Manager of Opposition Business in the Legislative Assembly.
On 17 January 2012, following declining performances in opinion polls, Eric Ripper announced that he would resign as Leader of the Opposition. At a caucus meeting on 23 January, McGowan was elected unopposed as Ripper's successor, becoming Leader of the Opposition.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-18/opposition-leader-eric-ripper-resigns/3781236|title=WA Opposition Leader Ripper resigns|work=ABC News|date=18 January 2012|access-date=22 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122193144/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-18/opposition-leader-eric-ripper-resigns/3781236|archive-date=22 January 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Trenwith|first=Courtney|title=McGowan officially elected Labor leader|url=http://www.smh.com.au/wa-news/mcgowan-officially-elected-labor-leader-20120123-1qdeb.html|access-date=23 January 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618115828/http://www.smh.com.au/wa-news/mcgowan-officially-elected-labor-leader-20120123-1qdeb.html|archive-date=18 June 2014|url-status=live}} Despite an initial improvement in Labor's standing in opinion polls, Labor ultimately suffered a 5.4 percent swing against it at the 2013 election, losing five seats. Despite this, McGowan was not blamed for the loss, and was unanimously confirmed as party leader by his colleagues.
After Labor's 2013 defeat, McGowan launched a "listening tour" of the state, pledging that he would enact policy reforms to address the reasons for Labor suffering two defeats in a row. Soon after this process, opinion polls began to show increasingly large swings of support away from the second-term Barnett Government. By 2015, polls began to report McGowan had a more comfortable lead as preferred Premier of Western Australia.{{Cite web |title=Newspoll: 53–47 to Labor in Western Australia – The Poll Bludger, 4 January 2015 |url=http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2016/01/04/newspoll-53-47-to-labor-in-western-australia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110121405/http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2016/01/04/newspoll-53-47-to-labor-in-western-australia/ |archive-date=10 January 2016 |access-date=9 January 2016}}
= Leadership challenge =
In early 2016, McGowan’s leadership was briefly challenged by former federal minister Stephen Smith, who stated he had been approached by both frontbenchers and backbenchers to lead the party to the upcoming 2017 election.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-13 |title=Stephen Smith to challenge WA Labor leader if party back him |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-13/stephen-smith-pledges-challenge-wa-labor-if-caucus-support/7243052 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |title=Smith confirms WA Labor leadership challenge |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/smith-confirms-wa-labor-leadership-challenge/wi9vf4tgy |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=SBS News |language=en}} Smith argued that Labor needed a higher-profile figure to achieve the swing required to form government. However, the Labor shadow cabinet issued a unanimous statement of support for McGowan and urged Smith to withdraw.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-14 |title=Smith faces defeat as WA Labor MPs rally behind McGowan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-14/wa-labor-mps-rally-behind-mark-mcgowan-stephen-smith-leadership/7244360 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} The challenge was publicly criticised by a number of senior Labor figures as a destabilising “vanity project”, and McGowan received backing from former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley, who described him as someone who could “deliver a government”.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-11 |title=Beazley backs McGowan amid Smith leadership talk |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-11/kim-beazley-backs-mark-mcgowan-wa-labor-leader-stephen-smith/7240910 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} Smith withdrew his bid after it became clear he lacked sufficient caucus support, and McGowan emerged from the episode with strengthened internal backing.{{Cite news |date=2016-03-14 |title=Smith faces defeat as WA Labor MPs rally behind McGowan |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-14/wa-labor-mps-rally-behind-mark-mcgowan-stephen-smith-leadership/7244360 |access-date=2025-04-13 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}
Premier of Western Australia (2017-2023)
{{see also|First McGowan Ministry|Second McGowan Ministry}}
At the 2017 election, McGowan led the Labor Party to one of its most comprehensive victories at either the state or territory level since Federation.{{cite web |first1=Joe |last1=Spagnolo |first2=John |last2=Flint |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/waelection/wa-election-2017-labor-has-won-the-wa-election/news-story/a80449b111aa5cc3eb1b7865d144fdab |title=WA Election 2017: Mark McGowan sweeps into power as Labor wins WA election |work=Perth Now |date=12 March 2017 |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318001423/http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/waelection/wa-election-2017-labor-has-won-the-wa-election/news-story/a80449b111aa5cc3eb1b7865d144fdab |archive-date=18 March 2017 |url-status=live }} Labor won 41 of the 59 seats available on 55.5 percent of the two-party vote, the largest majority government in Western Australian history. Labor also took 20 seats off the incumbent Liberal-WA National government on a swing of 12.8 percent, the worst defeat of a sitting government in Western Australian history. Seven members of Barnett's cabinet were defeated, including Nationals Leader Brendon Grylls.{{cite web |date=2017-03-30 |title=Final 2017 WA Election Results plus a New Electoral Pendulum |first=Antony |last=Green |author-link=Antony Green |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2017/03/final-2017-wa-election-results-plus-a-new-electoral-pendulum.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2020-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521172143/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2017/03/final-2017-wa-election-results-plus-a-new-electoral-pendulum.html |archive-date=2017-05-21 |quote=The two-party preferred count is based on estimates for Baldivis, Moore and Roe. Actual two-party preferred counts for these seats will be available at a later date. }}{{cite web |author=Antony Green |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2017/03/the-role-of-one-vote-one-value-electoral-reforms-in-labors-wa-victory.html |title=The Role of One-Vote One-Value Electoral Reforms in Labor's Record WA Victory |work=ABC News (Australia) |date=16 March 2017 |access-date=16 March 2017 |author-link=Antony Green |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316070326/http://blogs.abc.net.au/antonygreen/2017/03/the-role-of-one-vote-one-value-electoral-reforms-in-labors-wa-victory.html |archive-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wa-election-2017/|title=WA Election 2017|work=ABC News|date=11 March 2017|access-date=12 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311173523/http://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wa-election-2017/|archive-date=11 March 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-15/seventh-minister-lost-in-wa-election-liberals-rout/8357264 |title=WA election: Seventh minister lost in WA Liberals rout as Harvey blasts 'terrible' campaign |date=15 March 2017 |work=ABC News |access-date=16 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315221103/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-15/seventh-minister-lost-in-wa-election-liberals-rout/8357264 |archive-date=15 March 2017 |url-status=live }} His own margin in Rockingham swelled from an already comfortably safe 13.2 percent to 23.4 percent.
McGowan's win was built primarily on the strength of a dominating performance in Perth. Labor picked up a swing of 13.6 percent in Perth and took all but nine of the capital's 43 seats, accounting for almost all of its majority. According to Antony Green of ABC News, the 10-point swing Labor theoretically needed to win was not as daunting as it seemed on paper. Besides the one vote one value reforms in 2008 that allowed Perth to elect over 70 percent of the legislature, much of the Liberals' 2013 margin was built on inflated margins in Perth's outer suburbs.
McGowan was sworn in by Governor Kerry Sanderson as the 30th Premier of Western Australia on 17 March 2017.{{cite web|last1=McNeill|first1=Heather|title=WA Labor announces new ministry, two big names miss out|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-labor-announces-new-ministry-two-big-names-miss-out-20170315-guyqqe.html|website=WA Today|access-date=15 March 2017|date=15 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315091918/http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-labor-announces-new-ministry-two-big-names-miss-out-20170315-guyqqe.html|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=live}} Early in his premiership, McGowan moved to limit the number of pathways for foreign workers to enter the state, re-committed to terminating the controversial Perth Freight Link highway project, which had proved extremely unpopular in large parts of the state,{{cite web|first=Jacob|last=Kagi|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/mark-mcgowan-moves-on-foreign-worker-policies/8365360|title=Premier Mark McGowan quick off the mark on foreign worker policy changes|work=ABC News|date=17 March 2017|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317115348/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-17/mark-mcgowan-moves-on-foreign-worker-policies/8365360|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Jacob|last=Kagi|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-14/roe-8-labor-moves-to-cancel-contract-after-wa-election-win/8353086|title=WA election: Cost of cancelling Roe 8 no barrier to Labor despite Liberal warnings|work=ABC News|date=14 March 2017|access-date=17 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317075643/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-14/roe-8-labor-moves-to-cancel-contract-after-wa-election-win/8353086|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live}} and he restructured various government departments.{{cite web |title=Number of WA government departments slashed by 40pc |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-28/wa-public-sector-reform-departments-cut-announced/8479786 |website=ABC News |access-date=22 July 2022 |date=28 April 2017 |archive-date=22 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722090622/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-28/wa-public-sector-reform-departments-cut-announced/8479786 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Strutt |first1=Jessica |title=Disquiet over WA public sector reform becomes political headache for McGowan Government |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-02/disquiet-over-wa-public-sector-reform-erupts/8668380 |website=ABC News |access-date=22 July 2022 |date=2 July 2017 |archive-date=22 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722090623/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-02/disquiet-over-wa-public-sector-reform-erupts/8668380 |url-status=live }} McGowan also introduced unlimited fines and life imprisonment for people deemed to be trafficking methamphetamine,{{Cite web |title=Media Statements |url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2017/05/Laws-introduced-to-allow-life-imprisonment-for-meth-traffickers.aspx |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630230408/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2017/05/Laws-introduced-to-allow-life-imprisonment-for-meth-traffickers.aspx |url-status=dead }} and worked to expand Chinese investment in Western Australia.{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-29/the-widening-gulf-between-wa-and-australia-on-china/11554474|title=WA flies into a political storm, deepening China ties in the face of PM's focus on Trump's America|last=Borrello|first=Eliza|date=2019-09-29|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014104733/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-29/the-widening-gulf-between-wa-and-australia-on-china/11554474|archive-date=14 October 2019|access-date=2019-11-17}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-09/wa-particularly-vulnerable-in-a-china-us-trade-war/11395926|title=WA built its economy on the back of China. Now it faces a looming trade war|last=O'Flaherty|first=Alisha|date=2019-08-09|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-11-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117161324/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-09/wa-particularly-vulnerable-in-a-china-us-trade-war/11395926|archive-date=17 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Bourke |first=Keane |date=19 April 2023 |title=WA Premier Mark McGowan ignites war of words with shadow defence minister Andrew Hastie |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-19/mark-mcgowan-andrew-hastie-trade-barbs-on-china/102240934 |access-date=21 April 2023 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421054552/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-19/mark-mcgowan-andrew-hastie-trade-barbs-on-china/102240934 |url-status=live }}
On 1 May 2018, Kim Beazley was sworn in to a four-year term as governor upon the recommendation of McGowan.{{cite web |title=Hon Kim Beazley AC sworn in as Western Australia's 33rd Governor |url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2018/05/Hon-Kim-Beazley-AC-sworn-in-as-Western-Australias-33rd-Governor.aspx |website=Media Statements |access-date=16 July 2022 |date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327041144/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2018/05/Hon-Kim-Beazley-AC-sworn-in-as-Western-Australias-33rd-Governor.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Holdaway |first1=Scott |title=Kim Beazley named new governor of WA, capping distinguished career for ex-Labor leader |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-03/kim-beazley-named-new-governor-of-wa/9613166 |website=ABC News |access-date=16 July 2022 |date=3 April 2018 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414210633/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-03/kim-beazley-named-new-governor-of-wa/9613166 |url-status=live }} He was the first ex-politician to become governor since Sir James Mitchell in 1948.{{cite web |title='The best PM we never had': Kim Beazley sworn in as WA's 33rd governor |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/western-australia/the-best-pm-we-never-had-kim-beazley-sworn-in-as-wa-s-33rd-governor-20180501-p4zcrq.html |website=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=16 July 2022 |date=1 May 2018 |archive-date=16 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716052549/https://www.smh.com.au/national/western-australia/the-best-pm-we-never-had-kim-beazley-sworn-in-as-wa-s-33rd-governor-20180501-p4zcrq.html |url-status=live }} His appointment was generally well received, although some people had reservations that a republican had become the Queen's representative and that Beazley was close friends with McGowan.{{cite journal |last1=Phillips |first1=Harry C.J. |last2=Kerr |first2=Liz |title=Western Australia January to June 2018 |journal=Australian Journal of Politics & History |date=December 2018 |volume=64 |issue=4 |pages=685 |doi=10.1111/ajph.12525 |s2cid=159426210 |issn=0004-9522}}
McGowan had ministerial responsibility for the Perth Mint between the 2017 and 2021 elections. In 2018, the Mint commenced doping its gold bars with lower value metals. The Shanghai Gold Exchange later discovered that some of the gold it bought from the Perth Mint contained more silver than was allowed under its standards. The Perth Mint covered this up when alerted and it was only made public by an ABC Four Corners investigation.{{cite web |last1=Grigg |first1=Angus |last2=Russell |first2=Ali |last3=Zillman |first3=Stephanie |last4=Bali |first4=Meghna |title=Perth Mint sold diluted gold to China, got caught, and tried to cover it up |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-06/perth-mint-gold-doping-china-cover-up-four-corners/102048622 |website=ABC News |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=6 March 2023 |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324040736/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-06/perth-mint-gold-doping-china-cover-up-four-corners/102048622 |url-status=live }} The Mint has also been under investigation by AUSTRAC for having potentially breached anti-money laundering laws.{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Jade |title=Why is Australia's financial crimes watchdog investigating the Perth Mint? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-19/austrac-investigates-perth-mint/101438128 |website=ABC News |access-date=24 March 2023 |date=19 September 2022 |archive-date=24 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324015012/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-19/austrac-investigates-perth-mint/101438128 |url-status=live }}
=Response to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2021)=
Throughout 2020 and 2021, McGowan led Western Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He acted early to close the state's borders to the rest of the country on 5 April.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-16/how-long-can-wa-keep-its-border-closed-in-the-coronavirus-fight/12455570|title=WA's hard border has created a coronavirus safe haven, but a flash point is looming|access-date=31 December 2020|date=16 July 2020|author1=Charlotte Hamlyn|author2=Evelyn Manfield|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|archive-date=25 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225020934/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-16/how-long-can-wa-keep-its-border-closed-in-the-coronavirus-fight/12455570|url-status=live}} In July 2020, businessman Clive Palmer claimed that the closing of the borders was unconstitutional and launched a legal challenge in the Federal Court. The case was defeated, and in response McGowan labelled Palmer an "enemy of the state".{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-think-he-s-the-enemy-of-australia-mcgowan-ramps-up-war-of-words-with-palmer-on-wa-border-battle-20200731-p55hdj.html|title='I think he's the enemy of Australia': McGowan ramps up war of words with Palmer on WA border battle|access-date=31 July 2020|date=31 July 2020|author1=Daile Cross|author2=Nathan Hondros|publisher=Fairfax Media|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|archive-date=6 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006071147/https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-think-he-s-the-enemy-of-australia-mcgowan-ramps-up-war-of-words-with-palmer-on-wa-border-battle-20200731-p55hdj.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-30/clive-palmer-claims-coronavirus-border-policy-destroying-lives/12506720|last=Weber|first=David|title=Clive Palmer claims Mark McGowan's coronavirus hard border will destroy lives of West Australians|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=30 July 2020|access-date=31 July 2020|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731081522/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-30/clive-palmer-claims-coronavirus-border-policy-destroying-lives/12506720|url-status=live}} Shortly afterwards, McGowan's popularity in opinion polls dramatically increased, reaching 91% approval in September 2020, a record for any Australian premier.
In January 2021, McGowan criticised the New South Wales Government's response and attitude towards the pandemic, contrasting it with that of his own Government's response.{{Citation|title=WA Premier says NSW should rethink COVID-19 strategy|date=2021-01-11|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/wa-premier-mark-mcgowan-covid-coronavirus-strategy-nsw/13047402|language=en-AU|access-date=2021-02-12|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309135646/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-11/wa-premier-mark-mcgowan-covid-coronavirus-strategy-nsw/13047402|url-status=live}} In March 2021, he suggested that some internal Australian border controls could be continued after the pandemic, on the grounds that they had helped to keep illegal drugs out of Western Australia, but clarified later that he meant to suggest only an increased police presence at border checkpoints, rather than completely sealing the border.{{Cite web|title=Mark McGowan commits to removing G2G passes after COVID pandemic over after flagging ongoing border controls|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/mark-mcgowan-flags-tougher-border-after-fall-in-meth-imports/13206388|author=Rhiannon Shine|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2021-03-02|date=2021-03-01|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302110824/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-02/mark-mcgowan-flags-tougher-border-after-fall-in-meth-imports/13206388|url-status=live}}
=2021 election=
{{main|2021 Western Australian state election}}
In the lead up to the 2021 election, WA Labor raced out to a large lead in opinion polls, leading to speculation that the McGowan Government would be reelected with another record majority. Labor approached 70% in the two-party preferred polls, with McGowan maintaining a personal approval rating of 88%.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/20/gospel-according-to-mark-can-anything-stop-western-australias-covid-saviours-re-election|title=Gospel according to Mark: can anything stop Western Australia's Covid saviour's re-election?|work=The Guardian|date=20 February 2021|access-date=15 March 2021|archive-date=14 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314235321/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/feb/20/gospel-according-to-mark-can-anything-stop-western-australias-covid-saviours-re-election|url-status=live}} Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup took the unprecedented step of conceding the election more than a fortnight before election day.{{Cite news|title=WA election upset as Liberal leader Zak Kirkup concedes he can't win on March 13|work=ABC News (Australia)|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-25/wa-liberal-leader-zak-kirkup-concedes-he-cant-win-election/13190946|access-date=25 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225011930/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-25/wa-liberal-leader-zak-kirkup-concedes-he-cant-win-election/13190946|url-status=live}} On 13 March 2021, WA Labor won the most comprehensive victory, in terms of vote share and percentage of seats controlled, at any level in Australia since Federation. Labor took 69.7 percent of the two-party vote and picked up a 13-seat swing, ultimately winning 53 out of 59 seats, including all but one in Perth. Labor even managed to defeat Kirkup in his own seat. McGowan's own margin in Rockingham increased to 37.7 percent, making Rockingham the safest seat in the state.
Claiming victory, McGowan stated that the victory was "beyond humbling" and pledged that the Government would work to retain the support of the majority of Western Australians.
=Second term=
McGowan announced his new cabinet on 18 March 2021. Among various changes, he opted to serve as his own treasurer, after Ben Wyatt, the previous treasurer, retired at the 2021 election. The two other ministers viewed as possible candidates, Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti, had existing important roles that McGowan wanted them to continue with. Cook was health minister and thus had an important role in the state's COVID-19 response, and Saffioti was transport and planning minister, overseeing the government's Metronet project. Prior to 2001, WA premiers generally served as their own treasurers, but since then, the only premier to hold that position before McGowan was Colin Barnett briefly in 2010, 2012 and 2014.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=WA Premier Mark McGowan's Treasurer move leaves senior ministers sidelined — for now |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-19/why-wa-premier-mark-mcgowan-named-himself-treasurer-analysis/100016078 |website=ABC News |date=18 March 2021 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=19 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719054757/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-19/why-wa-premier-mark-mcgowan-named-himself-treasurer-analysis/100016078 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=de Kruijff |first1=Peter |last2=Hastie |first2=Hamish |title=Mark McGowan makes himself Treasurer in sweeping cabinet changes |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/mark-mcgowan-makes-himself-treasurer-in-sweeping-cabinet-changes-20210318-p57bx1.html |website=WAtoday |date=18 March 2021 |access-date=19 July 2021 |archive-date=22 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222053201/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/mark-mcgowan-makes-himself-treasurer-in-sweeping-cabinet-changes-20210318-p57bx1.html |url-status=live }}
McGowan announced the formation of a panel to examine potential reform of the Western Australian Legislative Council voting system soon after the 2021 election, after denying he would implement reforms to the Legislative Council voting system several times during the election. The panel was led by former Governor of Western Australia Malcolm McCusker, and consisted of four electoral and constitutional law experts. McGowan and Electoral Affairs Minister John Quigley said the election of Wilson Tucker with 98 primary votes was a key reason for their change of mind.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=Electoral reform in WA on the cards as group voting tickets, proportional voting under review |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-30/wa-electoral-reform-on-table-as-mccusker-panel-appointed/100106818 |website=ABC News |date=30 April 2021 |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915050852/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-30/wa-electoral-reform-on-table-as-mccusker-panel-appointed/100106818 |url-status=live }} In September 2021, McGowan announced the changes to be made to the voting system, including abolishing regions in the Legislative Council, and removing group voting tickets.{{cite news |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |last2=Kagi |first2=Jacob |title=Mark McGowan announces sweeping changes to WA's electoral system, abolishing regions |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/mcgowan-election-laws-regional-representation/100463700 |website=ABC News |date=15 September 2021 |access-date=15 September 2021 |archive-date=15 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915041855/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/mcgowan-election-laws-regional-representation/100463700 |url-status=live }} Also that month, he handed down the Western Australian state budget, which recorded a sizeable surplus of $5.6 billion.{{cite web|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/mcgowan-delivers-record-5-6b-surplus-20210908-p58ptt|title=McGowan delivers record $5.6b surplus|work=Australian Financial Review|first=Julie-anne|last=Sprague|date=9 September 2021|accessdate=11 September 2021|archive-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910053847/https://www.afr.com/politics/mcgowan-delivers-record-5-6b-surplus-20210908-p58ptt|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7422708/cashed-up-wa-banks-56bn-budget-surplus/|title=Cashed-up WA banks $5.6bn budget surplus|work=The Canberra Times|first=Michael|last=Ramsey|date=9 September 2021|accessdate=10 September 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007130356/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7422708/cashed-up-wa-banks-56bn-budget-surplus/|url-status=live}}
On 13 December 2021, McGowan announced that Western Australia would fully open its borders to COVID-19 vaccinated people from interstate and overseas on 5 February 2022.{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |title=How life will change on WA border open date, when a raft of COVID restrictions will take effect |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-13/wa-border-reopening-explainer-how-life-will-change-on-february-5/100683736 |website=ABC News |access-date=20 February 2022 |date=13 December 2021 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220110012/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-13/wa-border-reopening-explainer-how-life-will-change-on-february-5/100683736 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Towie |first1=Narelle |title=Western Australia to reopen border on 5 February after almost two years sealed off from the world |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/13/western-australia-to-reopen-border-on-5-february-after-almost-two-years-sealed-off-from-the-world |website=The Guardian |access-date=20 February 2022 |date=13 December 2021 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220084608/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/13/western-australia-to-reopen-border-on-5-february-after-almost-two-years-sealed-off-from-the-world |url-status=live }} On 20 January 2022, McGowan reversed his decision on the plan for Western Australia to fully open its borders, saying that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was more contagious than previous variants of the virus and that the state's vaccination booster levels were not high enough to safely reopen to the world.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |last2=Elton |first2=Charlotte |title=Mark McGowan delays WA border reopening indefinitely over Omicron fears |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/mark-mcgowan-delays-wa-border-reopening-indefinitely-over-omicron-fears-c-5387219 |website=The West Australian |access-date=20 February 2022 |date=20 January 2022 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220084611/https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/mark-mcgowan-delays-wa-border-reopening-indefinitely-over-omicron-fears-c-5387219 |url-status=live }} A February opinion poll showed that his approval rating had decreased to 64%, the lowest during the pandemic, but still comparatively high to premiers in other states.{{cite web |title=Polls: federal Liberal leadership and Mark McGowan approval |url=https://www.pollbludger.net/2022/02/18/polls-federal-liberal-leadership-and-mark-mcgowan-approval/ |website=The Poll Bludger |access-date=20 February 2022 |archive-date=20 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220220082956/https://www.pollbludger.net/2022/02/18/polls-federal-liberal-leadership-and-mark-mcgowan-approval/ |url-status=live }} On 18 February, McGowan announced the border would reopen on 3 March for people from outside Australia and triple vaccinated people from interstate.{{cite web |last1=Carmody |first1=James |last2=Weber |first2=David |title=WA border opening date is March 3, as Mark McGowan announces new COVID restrictions |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-18/mark-mcgowan-announces-wa-border-update/100843126 |website=ABC News |access-date=20 February 2022 |date=18 February 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219233640/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-18/mark-mcgowan-announces-wa-border-update/100843126 |url-status=live }}
When Beazley's term as governor finished in 2022, McGowan recommended WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson as his replacement. Dawson was sworn in on 15 July 2022.{{cite web |title=New era as Governor Chris Dawson is officially sworn in |url=https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/07/New-era-as-Governor-Chris-Dawson-is-officially-sworn-in.aspx |website=Media Statements |access-date=16 July 2022 |date=15 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715095401/https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2022/07/New-era-as-Governor-Chris-Dawson-is-officially-sworn-in.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Balaam |first1=Kellie |title=Chris Dawson sworn in as WA's 34th Governor as Col Blanch takes on first day as Police Commissioner |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/chris-dawson-sworn-in-as-was-34th-governor-as-col-blanch-takes-on-first-day-as-police-commissioner-c-7532997 |website=The West Australian |access-date=16 July 2022 |date=15 July 2022 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715133517/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/chris-dawson-sworn-in-as-was-34th-governor-as-col-blanch-takes-on-first-day-as-police-commissioner-c-7532997 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Al Jrood |first1=Tabarak |last2=Davis |first2=Ashleigh |title=Former police commissioner Chris Dawson sworn in as 34th governor of Western Australia |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-15/police-commissioner-chris-dawson-appointed-34th-governor-wa/101240236 |website=ABC News |access-date=16 July 2022 |date=15 July 2022 |archive-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715174057/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-15/police-commissioner-chris-dawson-appointed-34th-governor-wa/101240236 |url-status=live }}
= Resignation and retirement from politics =
On 29 May 2023, McGowan announced he would step down as premier and member for Rockingham. He cited his exhaustion from the relentless pressures of the job as the reason for his resignation.{{Cite news |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |last2=Sturmer |first2=Jake |date=2023-05-29 |title=Mark McGowan to stand down as WA premier in shock announcement |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-29/wa-premier-mark-mcgowan-resigns-from-politics/102406610 |access-date=2023-05-29 |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529061536/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-29/wa-premier-mark-mcgowan-resigns-from-politics/102406610 |url-status=live }} In her valedictory speech in the Legislative Council in April 2025, retiring senior frontbencher Sue Ellery stated, “I was distressed when Mark decided to step down as Premier,” and said that she and a number of other colleagues had “begged him not to go”.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QlGq_8ZCCg |title=Hon Sue Ellery MLC - Valedictory speech on 8 April 2025 |date=2025-04-10 |last=Parliament of Western Australia |access-date=2025-04-13 |via=YouTube}}
McGowan went on leave following Friday 2 June, and formally resigned on Thursday 8 June. A leadership election of the Labor Party caucus was held decide his replacement. Despite initially being a three way contest between Roger Cook, Rita Saffioti and Amber-Jade Sanderson, both Saffioti and Sanderson withdrew leaving Cook as the only nominee, he was subsequently elected to succeed McGowan, with Rita Saffioti as his deputy.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=WA's new Premier Roger Cook describes role as 'honour of a lifetime' as he is officially sworn into top job |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/was-new-premier-roger-cook-describes-role-as-honour-of-a-lifetime-as-he-is-officially-sworn-into-top-job-c-10905577 |website=The West Australian |access-date=8 June 2023 |date=8 June 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608041823/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/was-new-premier-roger-cook-describes-role-as-honour-of-a-lifetime-as-he-is-officially-sworn-into-top-job-c-10905577 |url-status=live }}{{Citation |title=Worrall, Denis John, (29 May 1935–18 May 2023), Chairman: Omega Investment Research Ltd (Chief Executive, 1990); African Business Advisors (Pty) Ltd |date=2007-12-01 |work=Who Was Who |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u40720 |access-date=2025-04-13 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-954089-1}}
Career after politics
In August 2024, McGowan was appointed non-executive chairman of the ASX-listed renewable energy company Frontier Energy.{{Cite web |last=Rogan |first=Aaliyah |date=2024-08-20 |title=Former WA premier embarks on new Frontier |url=https://mining.com.au/former-wa-premier-embarks-on-new-frontier/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Mining.com.au |language=en-AU}} He has also advised BHP, Mineral Resources,{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Sean |date=2024-10-24 |editor-last=Mallabone |editor-first=Mark |title=McGowan's five golden rules for suviving a crisis |url=https://thewest.com.au/business/leadership/former-wa-premier-mark-mcgowans-five-tips-to-survive-a-crisis-c-16492015 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241023090606/https://thewest.com.au/business/leadership/former-wa-premier-mark-mcgowans-five-tips-to-survive-a-crisis-c-16492015 |archive-date=2024-10-23 |access-date=2024-10-25 |work=The West Australian |department=West Business |publisher=Seven West Media |location=Perth |pages=35 |language=en-au |issn=0312-6323}} and Bondi Partners (a consultancy firm run by Joe Hockey).{{Cite web |date=2024-11-02 |title=Mark McGowan takes another job as post-politics gigs pile up |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/former-premier-mark-mcgowan-who-quit-citing-exhaustion-takes-on-another-board-gig-c-16613669 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241102050425/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/former-premier-mark-mcgowan-who-quit-citing-exhaustion-takes-on-another-board-gig-c-16613669 |archive-date=2024-11-02 |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=The West Australian |publisher=Seven West Media |place=Perth |language=en-au |issn=0312-6323}} He was also appointed to the advisory board of the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations.
McGowan has said he does not miss politics and that he had "done everything I wanted to do [and] never wanted to go into federal parliament".
Political views
McGowan has described his political strategy as "centrist", saying "you have got to appeal to everyone". He credited that strategy as one of the reasons for his 2021 landslide election.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=WA election: Mark McGowan declares Labor will run a 'centrist' government after overwhelming win |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-14/mark-mcgowan-says-labor-government-will-be-centrist-after-win/13244536 |website=ABC News |access-date=17 January 2022 |date=14 March 2021 |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117085646/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-14/mark-mcgowan-says-labor-government-will-be-centrist-after-win/13244536 |url-status=live }}
{{As of|2021}}, McGowan was one of six Labor MPs in the state parliament who were not factionally aligned.{{cite web |last1=de Kruijff |first1=Peter |title=What are WA Labor's factions and who sits where? |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/what-are-wa-labor-s-factions-and-who-sits-where-20210315-p57awv.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=17 January 2022 |date=15 March 2021 |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117085013/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/what-are-wa-labor-s-factions-and-who-sits-where-20210315-p57awv.html |url-status=live }}
Personal life
Since 1996, McGowan has been married to Sarah McGowan, with whom he has three children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/mphistoricaldata.nsf/LinkMembersDbNames/McGowan,%20Mr%20Mark?OpenDocument|title=Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia : Mr Mark McGowan|publisher=Parliament of Western Australia|access-date=9 August 2022|archive-date=9 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809071222/https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/mphistoricaldata.nsf/LinkMembersDbNames/McGowan,%20Mr%20Mark?OpenDocument|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2019-08-25 |title=Sarah McGowan: The quiet influence behind our Premier |url=https://thewest.com.au/business/the-a-to-z-of-influence-sarah-mcgowan-the-quiet-influence-behind-our-premier-ng-b881300016z |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}
Honours
McGowan was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours for "eminent service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia, to public health and education, and to international trade relations".{{Cite web |title=Mr Mark McGowan |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/3026339 |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=Australian Honours Search Facility}}
He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Tokyo City University in 2017 and the University of Western Australia in 2024.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-12-11 |title=Premier McGowan receives Honorary Doctorate from Tokyo City University |url=https://wajapan.net/news_e/3372 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Offices of the Government of Western Australia in Japan |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Dietsch |first=Jake |date=2024-12-06 |title=Ex-premier Mark McGowan to be handed honorary UWA doctorate |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/former-premier-mark-mcgowan-to-receive-honorary-doctorate-from-uwa-c-16997215 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/services/access-to-files-and-transcripts/online-files/palmer-v-mcgowan Clive Palmer v Mark McGowan] Federal Court of Australia online file
- [http://www.ministers.wa.gov.au/mcgowan/index.cfm Official Western Australia Cabinet site]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060820213005/http://www.wa.alp.org.au/people/people.html?seat=rockingham Official Australian Labor Party site]
- [http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament%5CMemblist.nsf/WAllMembersFlat/McGowan,+Mark?opendocument Parliament of Western Australia site]
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{{s-ttl|title=Premier of Western Australia|years=2017–2023}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Treasurer of Western Australia|years=2021–2023}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:McGowan, Mark}}
Category:Australian people of Irish descent
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