Mark McGowan resigns as premier of Western Australia, saying he is ‘exhausted’

An “exhausted” Mark McGowan, the Western Australian premier, will step down by the end of the week, sparking a leadership spill.

McGowan made the shock announcement at a press conference on Monday afternoon flanked by colleagues.

He said it was an honour and a privilege to have served the WA people for nearly 30 years.

“It is way beyond what I could ever have imagined my career would amount to. WA has provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

Related: WA premier dismisses calls to raise criminal age as Aboriginal advocates accuse him of ‘contempt’

McGowan said the job was “relentless” and “all-consuming each and every day”. He said he no longer had the “energy or drive to continue”. “The truth is I’m tired, extremely tired. In fact, I’m exhausted,” he said.

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Both bouquets and brickbats poured in.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said the outgoing premier had led “on his own terms and as his own man”.

“He has been a great premier of his proud state, an extraordinary leader for WA Labor and a trusted friend,” he said.

“Above all, Mark will be remembered for seeing the people of WA safely through one of the most challenging crises in our nation’s history. In unprecedented times, Mark always held to his convictions and always sought to do the right thing by his state.”

South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, said McGowan had “been an important source of advice, inspiration and mentorship”.

But Liberal senator Linda Reynolds said WA politics would be transformed. “It will go from the politics of the single person, the cult of the personality, which has really sucked the oxygen out of the political debate in WA, because it has been all about one man,” she said.

Long-term critic, mining magnate Clive Palmer said WA had suffered “years of neglect” under McGowan.

McGowan listed the economy, including increasing WA’s share of the GST, transport, hospital upgrades, passing euthanasia laws, environmental initiatives and education improvements among his achievements.

“Combined with the Covid-19 years, it has taken it out of me. I’m convinced WA Labor can win and will win the next election in 2025. But I just don’t have the energy or drive that is required to continue in the role as premier,” he said.

“When I was elected as premier I had ambitions for the state. I wanted WA to become the strongest, most successful state in the nation. To become more economically diversified and have the strongest public finances.

“To be socially reformist with landmark achievements in conservation and environmental protection as well. To provide citizens with quality public services, and long-term infrastructure for long-term futures. I stand here today and I know our state is in the position I set out to reach.”

McGowan was elected as the MP for Rockingham in 1996, became the Labor leader in 2012, and has been premier for six years.

He presided over a landslide victory in the 2021 state election, and his personal approval rating hit a sky-high 91% during the pandemic, although that popularity has since waned.

He said on Monday he had not taken the decision to quit lightly but it had “built up over time” – especially as he was not a naturally combative person while filling a confrontational role.

Quitting now, 20 months before the next election, would give his successor a chance to “cement themselves”.

“I don’t want to finish work completely,” he said. “Once I am rested and recuperated, I will look for something else to do.”

McGowan said he had no regrets as he thanked his family, his colleagues and the WA voters.