‘Exhausted’ premier of Western Australia resigns

An “exhausted” Mark McGowan, the Western Australian premier, has stepped down, sparking a leadership contest.

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.

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.