Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has been backed by a powerful union to become the next Labor premier of Western Australia.

May 30, 2023

West Australian Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has been endorsed by a powerful union to become the state’s next Labor premier.

Mark McGowan will step down as premier and treasurer within days after deciding to call time on almost three decades in parliament, citing exhaustion.

More than 25 MPs aligned with the United Workers Union met on Tuesday to determine if Ms Sanderson or Deputy Premier Roger Cook would be the dominant left faction’s leadership candidate.

Late on Monday Mr Cook said he would run for the top job, but it was Ms Sanderson who emerged victorious from Tuesday’s meeting.

“I’ve been chosen with a clear majority to be the candidate to go forward for the leadership,” she told reporters during a brief statement outside UnionsWA headquarters on Tuesday.

“I will now reach out to my colleagues across the caucus with a focus on unity and stability.

“We will continue those conversations, I will respect the process.”

Ms Sanderson only became a cabinet minister in 2021, initially taking the environment and commerce portfolios, before stepping up to health during a meteoric political rise.

The leadership is now very nearly hers to lose unless Transport Minister Rita Saffioti challenges, or Mr Cook moves to have the matter decided at a ballot of rank-and-file Labor members.

Mr Cook left the meeting soon after Ms Sanderson spoke to reporters, but he did not address the media.

Like Mr McGowan, Ms Saffioti is not aligned to a faction. She confirmed she is also sounding out colleagues.

Mr Cook, who served as health minister during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and now holds the state development, jobs and trade portfolios, had talked up his credentials as a “key economic minister” earlier in the day.

“As his deputy and someone who’s been acting premier on many occasions, I feel I know what is required to be premier,” Mr Cook told Perth radio 6PR.

“I have the energy, I have the experience and I think I have the support of the wide majority of the Labor Party.”

He said he had been incredibly shocked by Mr McGowan’s resignation, confirming he only learned of the premier’s decision at a cabinet meeting on Monday shortly before it was announced.

If the party is unable to settle on a candidate, it will have to canvass rank-and-file members in a process that could take weeks.

“I think people would be keen to find a consensus candidate,” Mr Cook said.

Mr McGowan said the role of political leadership was relentless and the COVID-19 years had exhausted him.

“I just don’t have the energy or drive that is required to continue in the role as premier or to fight that election, which would have been my eighth election as a member of parliament,” he said, referring to the next state poll in 2025.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among those who paid tribute to Mr McGowan after his announcement.

“He has been a great premier of his proud state, an extraordinary leader for WA Labor and a trusted friend,” he said.