Western Australia’s homegrown former Deputy Prime Minister and former Australian Labor Party Leader Kim Beazley has been appointed as the next Governor of Western Australia.
The announcement follows Her Majesty The Queen’s approval of the Premier’s recommendation of the appointment of Kim Beazley.
Premier Mark McGowan made the announcement today and acknowledged outgoing WA Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Kerry Sanderson AO for her contribution to the role.
Mr Beazley will assume the role as WA’s 33rd Governor when he is sworn in on May 1, 2018 at Government House.
Mr Beazley dedicated almost three decades to a career in Federal Parliament, representing the WA seats of Brand and Swan. Throughout this period he served as a Special Minister of the State, Federal Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Federal Leader of the Australian Labor Party and Federal Leader of the Opposition.
After retiring from politics in 2007, he was appointed Winthrop Professor at The University of Western Australia and has since held prestigious academic and diplomat roles including as Chancellor of the Australian National University.
In 2010, he was appointed Australian Ambassador to the United States of America and held the role until 2016.
Mr Beazley was also awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia for his services to the Australian Parliament, to the community and as an advocate for indigenous people.
Born in Perth, Mr Beazley has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from The University of Western Australia. He has also completed a Masters of Philosophy at Oxford University and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Notre Dame WA and Murdoch University.
Photo: Kim Beazley speaking at a press conference in November 2005.