I have made the difficult decision to reaffirm my previous intention to retire at the next State election.
With the successful delivery of the 2020-21 State Budget last month, and the strengthening recovery of the State’s economy, I have resolved the time is now right to move on.
In March, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the Western Australian community, I had been reluctant to leave in the midst of this great fight.
But having completed the delivery of the State Budget, which supports the continued economic recovery from the pandemic, I am now confident that Western Australia is well on its way to overcoming the challenges presented to it by COVID-19.
The State has now gone more than seven months without a case of community transmission and the WA Recovery Plan is seeing our economy grow again.
I regret any inconvenience caused by my changed position.
I wish to reinforce my gratitude for the support given to me by Premier Mark McGowan over many years in Government and Opposition. His leadership has been critical in stabilising the State’s financial position and in the recovery of our economy. His friendship has been invaluable during my time in politics.
I also want to acknowledge and thank the WA Labor Party and the people of Victoria Park, for the opportunity and support I have received from them over my parliamentary career.
I do not intend to repeat my extensive comments made in February when I initially announced my retirement, but they still ring true. I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve as Treasurer and a Cabinet Minister for our great State, and I greatly appreciate the support of my colleagues and my family for making that possible.
