Mark McGowan is a former politician, known for his tenure as the 30th Premier of Western Australia from 2017 to 2023.
With a distinguished background as a naval officer, Mark's journey began in regional New South Wales before finding his home in Western Australia. He studied at the prestigious University of Queensland, earning degrees in both arts and law.
Prior to his illustrious political career, Mark served as a legal officer in the Royal Australian Navy . In 1996, he embarked on his political journey by being elected as the Member of Parliament for Rockingham in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, a role he served with dedication until his retirement in 2023.
Throughout his tenure, Mark held various ministerial positions, in areas including Treasurer, State Development, Education, Training, Environment and Tourism.
In 2012, he ascended to the leadership of the Western Australian Labor Party.
Mark won elections in the 2017 and 2021 , where he led the Labor Party to unprecedented victories including the biggest victory in Australian history. He served as Premier of Western Australia for nearly 6 and a half years.
His leadership was defined by a steadfast commitment to good financial management, quality infrastructure development, fostering economic activity, conservation and enacting meaningful law reforms.
Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark's leadership shone brightly as he implemented decisive measures to safeguard the wellbeing of Western Australians. His proactive approach to enforcing stringent border controls and implementing effective quarantine measures earned him widespread acclaim.
Mark shares his lessons learned from his years as one of Western Australia’s most successful premiers through the unprecedented Covid pandemic, emphasizing resilience, leadership, and getting the most from your people.
Presently, Mark continues to make significant contributions by collaborating with major corporations including BHP , Mineral Resources and APM Human Services as well as Bondi Partners.
In 2024 Mark was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for eminent service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia, to public health and education, and to international trade relations.
