The Australian Labor premier that oversaw one of the toughest domestic border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic is calling it quits, saying the pandemic years exhausted him.
West Australian Premier Mark McGowan, 55, made the surprise announcement on May 29 revealing this would be his final week as premier and treasurer of the mining-rich state.
“This week will be my final week,” he told reporters. “I’ve loved the challenge of solving problems, making decisions, getting outcomes, and helping people.
“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-19 years, it has taken it out of me.”
The premier has served in Parliament for over 26 years with 11 of those as leader of the state’s Labor Party. Prior to this, he was a naval lawyer.
McGowan’s Track Record
McGowan maintained the toughest border closures during the pandemic years and was one of the last Australian jurisdictions to open up travel to unvaccinated people.At the same time, the premier also set one of the highest vaccination targets for the state (90 percent of the population) before opening up the borders.
The premier was also the second major Australian political leader to visit China this year, following Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
High Praise From Labor Colleagues
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised McGowan.“Above all, Mark will be remembered for seeing the people of Western Australia safely through one of the most challenging crises in our nation’s history.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said McGowan was an “absolute joy to work with.”
“A huge figure, not just in the West but on the national stage as well. A big loss,” he wrote on Twitter.
While Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said, no one fought for WA like McGowan.
“Determined, progressive, hard-working, and fair. A great leader with a lot to be proud of. Walking down the street with him is like hanging out with a political rock star,” she wrote on Twitter.