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| Premiers of Western Australia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Premiers of Western Australia |
| Caption | Parliament House, Perth |
| Incumbent | Roger Cook |
| Incumbentsince | 8 June 2023 |
| Formation | 29 December 1890 |
| Inaugural | John Forrest |
| Website | Parliament of Western Australia |
Premiers of Western Australia are the heads of the executive branch in the Australian state of Western Australia, leading the Cabinet from Parliament House in Perth, Western Australia. The office originated with responsible ministers during the colonial period under the Colony of Western Australia and continued after the 1890 establishment of responsible self-government under the Constitution Act 1889 (WA), evolving through the Federation of Australia and interactions with the Commonwealth of Australia.
The office emerged during the late 19th century as influential figures such as John Forrest transitioned from colonial administration to premiers after self-government in 1890, intersecting with figures like George Leake and Sir John Lister. The premiership has been shaped by episodes including the Goldfields water supply scheme era, the impact of the Great Depression, the wartime administrations of the 1940s alongside national leaders such as John Curtin and Ben Chifley, and postwar reconstruction policies influenced by interstate cooperation with New South Wales and Victoria. Twentieth-century party realignments involved governments led by Philip Collier, Ross McLarty, and Crawford Nalder, while late-century premiers including Sir Charles Court, Brian Burke, Carmen Lawrence, and Richard Court steered WA through economic reforms, resource development booms, and controversies involving the WA Inc period. Contemporary premiers such as Colin Barnett, Mark McGowan, and Roger Cook have navigated relations with the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division), and minor parties including the National Party of Australia (WA) and The Greens (WA) amid debates over resource royalties, Indigenous affairs involving the Noongar peoples, and infrastructure projects like the Perth Transport Authority initiatives.
The premier serves as head of the Cabinet, coordinating ministers such as the Treasurer and Attorney-General to implement policy across portfolios including interactions with agencies like the Public Transport Authority (Western Australia), the Department of Health (Western Australia), and common statutory authorities. The premier represents Western Australia to the Governor of Western Australia, negotiates with the Prime Minister of Australia and state premiers at councils such as the Council of Australian Governments and manages relations with corporations like BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside Energy over mining and resources. In crisis situations the premier engages with emergency services including Western Australia Police Force, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (Western Australia), and national bodies such as the Australian Defence Force for coordination.
The premier is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Parliament of Western Australia's Legislative Assembly, requiring confidence of the Assembly as per conventions deriving from the Westminster system and precedents involving party leaders like Brian Burke, Carmen Lawrence, Geoff Gallop, and Mark McGowan. Major parties include the Australian Labor Party (Western Australian Branch), the Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division), and the National Party of Australia (WA), with occasional influence from independents such as Tony Crook. Leadership spills, party ballots, and resignations have installed premiers mid-term, as seen with Colin Barnett's succession and Paul Omodei's internal challenges. Electoral contests occur under the supervision of the Western Australian Electoral Commission.
A chronological list includes inaugural premier John Forrest (1890–1901), influential premiers such as George Leake, Philip Collier, Sir James Mitchell, Ross McLarty, Crawford Nalder, David Brand, Sir Charles Court, Ray O'Connor, Brian Burke, Carmen Lawrence, Richard Court, Geoff Gallop, Alan Carpenter, Colin Barnett, Mark McGowan, and current premier Roger Cook. The full roster spans administrations from the colonial period through federation to the present, incorporating ministers who have held portfolios or acted as heads of government during transitions and caretaker periods.
- John Forrest championed exploration, the Trans-Australian Railway precursor concepts and infrastructure spending that tied to federal debates with premiers such as Winston Churchill in imperial contexts. - Sir James Mitchell led state development during interwar years and agricultural settlement schemes interacting with the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia. - Sir Charles Court and Ray O'Connor advanced resource development and energy projects involving companies like Alcoa and Chevron. - Brian Burke enacted economic and regulatory reforms but his period became associated with the WA Inc controversies that prompted inquiries led by figures such as Graham Parry. - Carmen Lawrence pursued social policy reform entangling Indigenous land rights issues including the Noongar native title claims. - Colin Barnett focused on infrastructure projects such as the Elizabeth Quay redevelopment and gas supply negotiations with firms like Inpex. - Mark McGowan managed pandemic responses coordinating with the National Cabinet and public health bodies including the WA Department of Health.
The premier operates under authority delegated by the Governor of Western Australia under the Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899 and the conventions of responsible government derived from the United Kingdom's constitutional practice. Legal constraints include statutory instruments enacted by the Parliament of Western Australia and judicial review by courts such as the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia in matters of federal-state interactions and constitutional litigation, including disputes over the division of powers under the Australian Constitution.
The premier's official duties are conducted at Parliament House, Perth and within the Executive Building precinct, with official offices linked to the Premier of Western Australia's ministerial staff, policy units, and communications teams liaising with media outlets like the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and The West Australian. Residences historically associated with premiers include government houses and ministerial quarters in Perth, and ceremonial functions often involve the Governor of Western Australia at Government House, Perth.
Category:Lists of premiers of Australian states