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Amber-Jade Sanderson the frontrunner to replace Mark McGowan after winning key vote - ABC News

Western Australia's Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson has emerged as the frontrunner to become the state's next premier, following Mark McGowan's shock resignation.

As she appeared from a meeting of MPs aligned with the United Workers Union, a key player in WA Labor's dominant left faction, Ms Sanderson said she had the "clear majority" support of her factional colleagues as the candidate to take over the party leadership.

The MPs were meeting to decide who they would back out of Ms Sanderson and Deputy Premier Roger Cook in the race to replace Mr McGowan as WA Labor leader and premier.

"I will now reach out to my colleagues, with a focus on unity and stability. We will continue those conversations, I will respect the process," Ms Sanderson told reporters after the meeting at UnionsWA headquarters.

Mark McGowan's bombshell decision to quit politics has created a surprising vacancy.()

In the aftermath of Mr McGowan's shock resignation yesterday, Mr Cook had confirmed he wanted the top job.

Both Mr Cook and Ms Sanderson belong to the left faction.

The faction holds power over the "progressive Labor" or right faction, and those who are unaligned in the middle.

Behind closed doors, WA Labor's left faction met to decide on the future of the party.()

Sanderson will do 'great job': MP

Mr Cook left the meeting abruptly after Ms Sanderson spoke to reporters, and did not make any comment to media.

One of the MPs at the meeting, Dave Kelly, spoke briefly after Ms Sanderson.

Former minister Dave Kelly says he thinks Ms Sanderson will "do a great job" as leader of WA. ()

"She'll do a great job. I've got huge respect for Roger. We'll just move forward with the process," he said.

The other possible contender to replace Mr McGowan is transport minister and close ally and friend of Mr McGowan, Rita Saffioti, who said yesterday she was sounding out her colleagues.

Rita Saffioti has confirmed she's sounding out colleagues about the top job.()

Like Mr McGowan, Ms Saffioti is factionally unaligned, but will likely have some support from the right of the party.

Leadership ballot could take weeks

The meeting began about 10am at the UnionsWA headquarters on Hay Street in Perth.

The meeting of MPs from Labor's left took place at the headquarters of UnionsWA.()

Rules introduced at a state level mean if two or more people nominate for the top job, a lengthy process would commence, requiring a vote of all the party's rank-and-file members.

The main thing the party would like to avoid is a drawn-out leadership ballot, something that could take up to five weeks.

Like Mr Cook, Amber-Jade Sanderson is a member of WA Labor's left faction.()

The key to avoiding that is settling on a replacement quickly.

Parliament is due to sit in a fortnight and some MPs would prefer a consensus candidate to enable a smooth transition from Mr McGowan's leadership.

I have what it takes, Cook says

Ahead of the meeting, Mr Cook said he believed he had what it took to unite WA Labor and to become the next premier.

Roger Cook says it is important for Labor to "maintain momentum" as Mr McGowan departs.()

"I think it would be best if we could find a consensus candidate, someone who can unite the party, someone that the community recognises has a track record, and someone who would resonate with the community," he told ABC Radio Perth.

"That's why I've put my name forward and I think I can do those things.

"But I appreciate other people want to put their qualifications before the process."

When questioned whether he would go to a ballot if the left faction decided on Ms Sanderson today, Mr Cook reiterated his preference for a unanimous decision.

"We'll continue to have that conversation today, respecting the party processes, and make sure that we move through in a respectful manner," he said.

"I think it's important that we maintain the momentum that we've built up under Premier McGowan, and I'm very much looking forward to discussing with my colleagues the importance of maintaining that momentum."

Roger Cook (third from right) was among those watching on as Mr McGowan announced his resignation yesterday.()

Challenge for new premier: Gallop

Former WA premier Geoff Gallop said Mr McGowan's successor had big shoes to fill, but was confident about the party's future prospects.

"There's a lot of potential leaders in there so I'm pretty confident what will come out at the other end of the process will [ensure] good government continuing for WA," he said.

"Factions do play a part in Labor politics, Mark McGowan of course overcame that problem.

"He was seen very much as a person who was above the factions, so that's the challenge.

"What's important is that the person that gets the job then goes beyond that to make sure that he or she is governing in the interest of all West Australians."

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2023-05-30 03:56:15Z
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