Roger Cook is set to replace the retiring Mark McGowan as Western Australian premier, although Labor’s caucus is yet to formally agree to the change.

May 31, 2023

Western Australia’s deputy premier is the only candidate to replace outgoing leader Mark McGowan, but the state’s voters will need to wait to see him take the top job.

Roger Cook has support from the Labor Party’s left and right factions as the sole nominee for the leadership, but under party rules he can’t be officially appointed as the state’s 31st premier until caucus meets on Tuesday.

The 57-year-old, who has served as Mr McGowan’s deputy since Labor formed government in 2017, was upbeat on Wednesday as he spoke alongside Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, who is almost certain to become deputy leader.

“It’s a great honour to put myself forward today as the 31st premier of Western Australia,” Mr Cook said.

“Together we are ready to be the next premier and deputy premier of WA.”

Mr Cook said the government he leads would continue to be economically responsible and socially progressive.

“The people of WA put their trust in the Labor Party to govern them in 2017 and again in 2021 and we will continue to honour that trust and deliver on the commitments we made,” he said.

“We will focus on cost-of-living pressures, health, housing and job opportunities for West Australians.”

Mr Cook said the state was the nation’s engine room and his goal was to ensure that remained the case, but not at the expense of its residents.

“We will fight tooth and nail to keep our fair share of the GST,” he said.

Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston earlier said about 20 MPs from Progressive Labor had agreed to endorse Mr Cook for the state’s top job when Mr McGowan stepped down later in the week.

“We met with Roger first and he explained his vision for Western Australia and the Labor Party and that’s a vision we share,” he said.

“It’s (also) a vision that builds on the strength Mark McGowan has left us and it takes advantage of Roger Cook’s experience in a united team with Rita Saffioti to take the Labour Party forward.”

Mr Johnston said no demands were made of Mr Cook in exchange for the right faction’s support.

“We’ve set no conditions. We’re just so pleased he prepared to be engaged,” he said.

“He’s got the experience. He’s got the talent to be a great premier of this state.”

Mr Cook’s main rival for the Labor leadership had been Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, also from the left faction.

But she dropped out of the race on Tuesday after MPs tied to the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union swung their support behind Mr Cook with the factionally unaligned Ms Saffioti as his deputy.

Their decision widened a split within the left after Ms Sanderson earlier won the backing of a slim majority of MPs tied to the United Workers Union.

Mr McGowan, 55, held a snap press conference on Monday to announce his retirement as premier, treasurer and MP for Rockingham at the end of this week, citing exhaustion.

Mr Cook was health minister at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic before assuming the portfolios of state development, jobs and trade.