WA Premier, Roger Cook, says he was proud to see his “mate” Mark McGowan recognised as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in this year’s King’s Birthday honours.
The former premier was awarded in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours list for his service to the people of WA, Parliament, and public health.
“For more than a decade, I worked alongside Mark as his Deputy – and for several of those years, I was the Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Premier Cook.
“Right from the beginning, I saw Mark in action. Making the tough decisions we never expected we’d have to make. All in service of keeping Western Australians safe and keeping our State strong.”
The Premier said Mr McGowan’s leadership meant WA had “the best pandemic response in the nation – and ultimately, the world”.
“But his time as Premier also delivered important social reforms such as Voluntary Assisted Dying, ending native logging, and getting METRONET underway,” he said.
“And our Labor team worked together to get the finances back on track and make our economy the envy of the nation. It is wonderful to see Mark recognised alongside 64 fellow Western Australians for their service to, and achievement in, our community.”
