Premier of Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Premier of Western Australia |
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| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Governor of Western Australia |
| Term length | At the Governor's pleasure |
| Inaugural holder | John Forrest |
| Formation | 29 December 1890 |
The Premier of Western Australia is the main leader of the government in the state of Western Australia. They are in charge of the state's executive branch, which means they lead the team that runs the state. Their role is much like the Prime Minister of Australia's job for the whole country, but specifically for Western Australia.
The current Premier of Western Australia is Mark McGowan. He became Premier on 17 March 2017. He was sworn into office by Governor Kerry Sanderson after winning the 2017 Western Australian state election. Mark McGowan is the 30th person to hold this important position.
Contents
Understanding the Premier's Role
The Premier is the head of the state government. They lead the cabinet, which is a group of ministers. These ministers are responsible for different areas like health, education, or transport. The Premier makes sure the government works well for the people of Western Australia.
How a Premier is Chosen
In Western Australia, people vote in state elections. The political party that wins the most seats in the parliament usually forms the government. The leader of that winning party then becomes the Premier. This person is officially appointed by the Governor of Western Australia.
Key Responsibilities of the Premier
The Premier has many important jobs. They lead the state's policies and laws. They also represent Western Australia on a national level. The Premier works to improve the lives of people living in the state. This includes managing the state's budget and planning for the future.
List of Western Australia's Premiers
Many different people have served as Premier of Western Australia since 1890. Each Premier has played a part in shaping the state. Below is a list of all the Premiers and when they held office.
| Premier | Party | Assumed Office | Left Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir John Forrest | (pro-Forrest)1 | 29 December 1890 | 15 February 1901 |
| George Throssell | (pro-Forrest)1 | 15 February 1901 | 27 May 1901 |
| George Leake | Opposition1 | 27 May 1901 | 21 November 1901 |
| Alf Morgans | Ministerialist1 | 21 November 1901 | 23 December 1901 |
| George Leake | Opposition1 | 23 December 1901 | 1 July 1902 |
| Sir Walter James | Opposition1 | 1 July 1902 | 10 August 1904 |
| Henry Daglish | Labor | 10 August 1904 | 25 August 1905 |
| Sir Cornthwaite Rason | Ministerialist | 25 August 1905 | 7 May 1906 |
| Sir Newton Moore | Ministerialist | 7 May 1906 | 16 September 1910 |
| Frank Wilson | Ministerialist | 16 September 1910 | 7 October 1911 |
| John Scaddan | Labor | 7 October 1911 | 27 July 1916 |
| Frank Wilson | Liberal (WA) | 27 July 1916 | 28 June 1917 |
| Sir Henry Lefroy | Nationalist | 28 June 1917 | 17 April 1919 |
| Sir Hal Colebatch | Nationalist | 17 April 1919 | 17 May 1919 |
| Sir James Mitchell | Nationalist | 17 May 1919 | 16 April 1924 |
| Philip Collier | Labor | 16 April 1924 | 24 April 1930 |
| Sir James Mitchell | Nationalist | 24 April 1930 | 24 April 1933 |
| Philip Collier | Labor | 24 April 1933 | 20 August 1936 |
| John Willcock | Labor | 20 August 1936 | 31 July 1945 |
| Frank Wise | Labor | 31 July 1945 | 1 April 1947 |
| Sir Ross McLarty | Liberal | 1 April 1947 | 23 February 1953 |
| Albert Hawke | Labor | 23 February 1953 | 2 April 1959 |
| Sir David Brand | Liberal | 2 April 1959 | 3 March 1971 |
| John Tonkin | Labor | 3 March 1971 | 8 April 1974 |
| Sir Charles Court | Liberal | 8 April 1974 | 25 January 1982 |
| Ray O'Connor | Liberal | 25 January 1982 | 25 February 1983 |
| Brian Burke | Labor | 25 February 1983 | 25 February 1988 |
| Peter Dowding | Labor | 25 February 1988 | 12 February 1990 |
| Dr Carmen Lawrence | Labor | 12 February 1990 | 16 February 1993 |
| Richard Court | Liberal | 16 February 1993 | 16 February 2001 |
| Dr Geoff Gallop | Labor | 16 February 2001 | 25 January 2006 |
| Alan Carpenter | Labor | 25 January 2006 | 23 September 2008 |
| Colin Barnett | Liberal | 23 September 2008 | 17 March 2017 |
| Mark McGowan | Labor | 17 March 2017 | incumbent |
1 There were no formal political parties in Western Australia until 1904.
