Premier pays tribute to Treasurer Ben Wyatt

  • Ben Wyatt announces he will step down at the 2021 State election 
  • Premier Mark McGowan has acknowledged Treasurer and Member for Victoria Park Ben Wyatt who today announced he would not re-contest his seat at the next election.

    Mr Wyatt was first elected at the Victoria Park by-election in March 2006.

    He will continue in his role as Treasurer and Minister for Finance, Aboriginal Affairs and Lands until the next election.

    As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:

    “Ben is a close friend, and he has been an integral part of my team for a long period of time.

    “He was instrumental in helping make WA Labor a Party of Government.

    “He has been a close sounding board for me personally, and as a result, beyond the next election he will be missed.

    “I respect and understand his decision to bring his political career to an end next year and focus on his young family.

    “Political life has many challenges, but the hardest challenge is finding the right balance between work and family life. I know just how hard it is.

    “Ben has done an exceptional job as the Treasurer in my Government.

    “Under his stewardship he has turned the State’s finances around, and helped get Western Australia back on track.

    “We inherited record deficits and record debt, and a domestic economy in recession.

    “In just three years, we have sorted out the mess, by returning the Budget to surplus, having debt declining and the economy growing again.

    “Ben’s contribution to the WA Labor Party and the State of Western Australia has been extremely significant, he has made his mark and he can be very proud.

    “I thank him for his service in his local community and the community of Western Australia.

    “I wish him, his wife Viv, and their two girls all the very best in their next chapter of their lives.

    “In the meantime, we both have a job to do and, as usual, I look forward to working closely with Ben throughout the Budget process for 2020-21 and for the rest of this term.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.