Former Premier Mark McGowan set to make first speech since retirement at US politics panel

Former Premier Mark McGowan is set to make his first public appearance since his bombshell retirement last year, at a panel discussion on US politics next month. The $250-a-head American Chamber of Commerce in Australia event — Red, White and Business — will see Mr McGowan’s first comments since he sensationally quit politics in May last year. Billed as a discussion on the effect the upcoming US election will have on Australian business, Mr McGowan will join his former treasurer Ben Wyatt, Perth US consul-general Siriana Nair in a panel hosted by Perth USAsia Centre chief executive Gordon Flake. The event comes ahead of the November 5 presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former US President Donald Trump. The speaking role comes off the back of the former Premier signing up to Claxton Speakers International as a public speaker for hire — charging in excess of $15,000 per appearance. “Speaker fees vary widely and do not include expenses,” the Claxon website said. “Expenses often include return airfares, hotel accommodation, ground transportation, meals, and any out-of-pocket expenses.” A biography of Mr McGowan on the event website is the same supplied by Claxton Speakers. Mr McGowan has kept a low profile since his political departure, refraining from public comment or interviews. When he was inducted into the King’s Birthday Honours this year, the former Premier issued a short statement. “My deep gratitude goes to the people of WA for being so kind to me,” he said. Mr McGowan also appeared on an ABC series into the Morrison Government, which aired after his retirement, but was filmed prior to May last year. He also hit the hustings for his successor as Rockingham MP — Magenta Marshall — but largely stayed tight-lipped during the by-election campaign. The former Premier’s post-political life has been largely defined by a suite of corporate positions, including at mining companies Mineral Resources and BHP, as well as a lobbyist with Joe Hockey’s Bondi Partners. At the time of his retirement last year — after six years as Premier, and almost three decades in Parliament — Mr McGowan spoke of his exhaustion, especially after leading WA through the pandemic.