‘I’m ready’: WA premier in waiting

Deputy Premier Roger Cook is set to become Western Australia’s next premier after a rollercoaster 48 hours in WA politics, promising he has the energy and drive to take the state forward.

Mr Cook has secured the backing of major sections of the Labor caucus, and it will meet

next week to formalise Mr Cook’s elevation to the state’s top job.

In a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Cook said he was ready to take over, alongside Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has his deputy.

“It is a great honour to put myself forward today to be the 31st Premier of Western Australia,” he told the press conference.

“It is a particular pleasure to be here alongside my good friend.

“We are ready to lead a united team, with the experience and energy to take our state forward.”

The whirlwind of events began on Monday with Premier Mark McGowan’s bombshell announcement that he was resigning, citing exhaustion.

Mr Cook was one of the first to put his hand up to replace Mr McGowan, followed by

Ms Saffioti.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson also joined the fray on Tuesday and won the support of the 28 United Workers Union-aligned MP ahead of Mr Cook.

But she then withdrew just hours later, when Mr Cook and Ms Saffioti reportedly made a deal that would see Mr Cook as premier and Ms Saffioti as deputy and treasurer.

However, Mr Cook would not discuss portfolios on Wednesday.

Mr Cook said Labor had a strong team in government.

Ms Sanderson had 17 votes from the union to Mr Cook’s 11.

However, Mr Cook had the backing of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union — both unions forming a large portion of WA Labor’s dominant left faction.

He also had the support of fellow cabinet member Stephen Dawson.

Mr Cook on Wednesday morning met members of the Labor right faction in the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association office in the Perth CBD.

“The meeting continues, the conversations continue, but I continue to enjoy the endorsement and the confidence of my colleagues,” Mr Cook said briefly to reporters waiting outside.

“These are just simple conversations between our colleagues to make sure that everyone is comfortable about endorsing me as the leader.”

At the time, Mr McGowan happened to be across the road at the David Malcolm Justice Centre, where he was thanking Treasury officials.

Mr McGowan avoided reporters; he hasn’t made any public comment since his shock resignation announcement on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Mr Cook was out and about on his morning run in Kings Park.

“Looking forward to the day ahead,” he wrote in a post to his Facebook page.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas congratulated Mr Cook on his pending elevation to the state’s top job, writing on social media that the news prompted a round of applause at Tuesday night’s City of Perth council meeting.

The news came after Ms Sanderson confirmed her withdrawal from the leadership contest late on Tuesday, citing her “interest (in) unity and stability” with her party as the reason for her decision.

“I respect the process, and the views of the entire WA Labor team,” she said.

Mr McGowan announced his shock resignation on Monday, saying he was “too tired” to continue in the top job after more than six years and didn’t have the energy to contest the 2025 election.

Elected in March 2017, Mr McGowan said the WA premiership had been the “opportunity of a lifetime”, but that he was too “exhausted” to continue.

“I never imagined I would one day become the premier of Western Australia,” he said on Monday.

“I’ve loved the role … but the truth is I’m tired, extremely tired, in fact I’m exhausted.”

The premier said the “all-consuming” nature of the role, combined with the Covid years, during which the state had some of the strictest Covid restrictions in the country, had “taken it out of (him)”.

“I just don’t have the energy or drive that’s required to continue in the role as premier,” he said.

“This week will be my final week.”

Mr McGowan said while he had been considering his decision for a while, he first needed to hand down the state budget earlier in May before announcing his resignation.

“The government has a great team and can very very easily replace me,” he said.

Mr Cook was health minister during the pandemic. The deputy premier now oversees the ministerial portfolios for State Development, Jobs and Trade, Hydrogen Industry, Tourism and Science.

He has been a member of the Legislative Assembly representing the seat of Kwinana since 2008.

Mr Cook was born in the now-affluent Perth suburb of Cottesloe in 1965, and was educated at Swanbourne’s prestigious Scotch College.

He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in public administration from Murdoch University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Curtin University.