Mandurah MP David Templeman to retire from State Parliament after 24 years in WA State politics

Long-standing Mandurah MP David Templeman has called time on his 24-year political career, citing the need to “go home to his family”.

The Sports and Recreation Minister, first elected in 2001, announced his impending retirement at a comedic press conference where he reflected on his career — pointing to the Mandurah rail line as one of his proudest achievements.

First appointed to the Cabinet under Premier Alan Carpenter, in 2006, Mr Templeman returned to Government under Mark McGowan in 2017 as Local Government and Arts minister.

After the 2021 election, he was briefly made Tourism Minister before being sworn in as sports minister in December that year.

Amid rumours he was coveting the Speaker’s chair next term, Mr Templeman said he wanted to “move on” from politics, and said he was “eternally grateful” to Mandurah voters for electing him six times.

“I’ve got some other things I want to do, and I think I’ve got a bit of energy and enthusiasm to do those things,” he said.

“You’ve got to think about your family and my kids are all teenagers now, still at school. I want to be home for them.

“I’m going to turn 60 next year. I still got lots of things I want to do, including getting an agent.”

Mr Templeman said he had no plans post-politics, and Premier Roger Cook refused to be drawn on whether he was a candidate for the vacant agent-general position in London.

“We haven’t spoken about his, about his post-politicalcareer, he was more interested in understanding what the market for agents was like and what opportunities might be forthcoming at the new film studio that we’re building up the road in Malaga,” Mr Cook said.

Mr Cook paid tribute to “one of the great characters of WA politics” who had brought wisdom and insight to the Cabinet table.

“Dave is always taking the opportunity to remind Cabinet about where they are, who they are, and who they’re representing, and making sure we get down to those basic values which brought us all to this place in the first instance,” he said.

“We’ll miss his counsel, we’ll miss his great sense of humor, and of course, we’ll all miss his singing.”

As Leader of the House, Mr Templeman became known for his annual song to the Parliament — a wrap-up of the year’s event.

Describing his 2018 song as going “feral” online — before being corrected by Mr Cook to “viral” — Mr Templeman said he loved a performance.

“I’ve always had this view about life — we’ve got to have a good sense of humour. You’ve got to make sure that you laugh about things and find the good side of things in life.

“It’s a beautiful world. It’s a beautiful state. There are beautiful people that call this place home.”

Mr Templeman nominated Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti to carry on his annual singing tradition after one more rendition this year, but added: “she’s got to work on her tone ... her singing tone.”

Mr Templeman is the 15th Labor MP to announce their retirement ahead of the March State Election, something Mr Cook said was a deliberate attempt at renewal within the Government.

Liberal leader Libby Mettam said Mr Templeman had been colourful character: “I certainly wish him all the best, and we will certainly miss his Christmas cheer on that last day of Parliament.”

He will remain in the Cabinet until March alongside Commerce Minister Sue Ellery and Attorney General John Quigley — who have also announced their retirements from Parliament.