Rita Saffioti: Roger Cook’s ‘ambitious’ Deputy says she’s focused on today, not future leadership

Rita Saffioti says she’s “got a lot of ambition” but has backed Roger Cook’s declaration that he will lead Labor into the 2029 State election.

The Deputy Premier was questioned about her own leadership ambitions, during a joint press conference with potential rival Amber-Jade Sanderson in Maddington on Thursday.

Both women nominated for the top job after former Premier Mark McGowan’s sudden retirement in 2023.

“I’ve got a lot of ambition. I want the Dockers to win a Grand Final. I want my kids to win there six-a-side finals,” Ms Saffioti joked.

“Look, the Premier is doing a great job, he’s doing a great job. We were just elected six months ago, incredible election victory. He has a very united team, and I think we all like working and delivering.”

But she wouldn’t rule out a future leadership tilt.

“I don’t think too far into the future. I’m a bit of a fatalist, so each day I just look at what I need to do and get it done,” she said.

“‘I’m worrying about organising myself for tonight and tomorrow, let alone 2030.”

Speculation about a succession plan increased last week, after the Premier left the door open to an early exit when asked about 2029.

“That’s a question for a range of people. My caucus will make some decisions about these things,” Mr Cook told a business event.

On Sunday, he used a speech at the Labor State conference to lock himself in for the full-term.

“Each of you today has my word ... that I will be leading this great party of ours to the 2029 WA State election,” Mr Cook said.

“I will lead this brilliant team of talented ministers and Labor MPs to the election that will determine which party sees this great State through to the next decade.”