Full Breakdown
Former WA Premier Mark McGowan appointed to Southern Cross Media board amid integrity concerns
By Drooid · · How we work
Appointment of a former premier to Southern Cross board
On September 23, 2026, Southern Cross Media Group announced that former Western Australian premier Mark McGowan will join its board of directors, alongside former Google and Twitter executive Karen Stocks. The appointment was disclosed in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange and will be subject to re-election at the company’s annual general meeting, likely in November. The board role carries a non-executive director base rate of $135,000 per year for 2025-2026.
Background and prior ties
McGowan stepped down from politics in 2023 after leading WA through the COVID-19 pandemic. His relationship with media billionaire Kerry Stokes has been public for years; Stokes controls a 23 percent stake in Southern Cross after Seven Group Holdings increased its holding from 20 percent under “creep” provisions. Text messages revealed during a 2022 defamation trial showed McGowan thanking Stokes for favourable front-page coverage of a dispute with mining magnate Clive Palmer and for legislative assistance that limited Palmer’s potential arbitration claim.
In 2020, McGowan’s government granted an exemption to the Waitsia gas project—backed by Stokes-linked Beach Energy and Japan’s Mitsui—allowing export of up to 50 percent of its production while tightening export rules for other on-shore producers. The exemption was defended as essential for jobs and energy security, but attracted criticism for perceived preferential treatment.
Key figures
- Mark McGowan – former premier of Western Australia (2020-2023), now board member of Southern Cross.
- Kerry Stokes – billionaire media owner, holder of a 23 percent stake in Southern Cross.
- Ryan Stokes – chair of Southern Cross Media Group, son of Kerry Stokes.
- Anthony Whealy KC – chair of the Centre for Public Integrity, raised integrity concerns about the appointment.
- Peter Kennedy – veteran WA political commentator, noted the inevitability of former politicians moving to corporate boards.
- Colin Barnett – former Liberal premier, described the Waitsia exemption as “unprecedented” special treatment.
Official statements & responses
Southern Cross said the new directors bring “government and regulatory experience” and “technology, data and audience measurement” capabilities to the board.
McGowan told WA Today that he could not recall meeting the Stokes family before the Waitsia exemption was announced and defended the decision as a response to a “world in chaos” that required swift action to secure gas supply and jobs.
The Federal Court, hearing the defamation case between McGowan and Palmer, awarded $5,000 to Palmer and $20,000 to McGowan in damages.
Data & statistics
- Non-executive director base rate: $135,000 per year (2025-2026).
- Southern Cross stake held by Kerry Stokes/Seven Group: 23 percent (up from 20 percent).
- Waitsia export exemption: up to 50 percent of gas production.
- Court-ordered damages: $5,000 to Clive Palmer, $20,000 to Mark McGowan.
Verbatim quotes
- “Mark, well done. I think no-one else could have achieved the legislation in the speed you did,” — Mr Stokes
- “Karen has spent her career on how media audiences are measured and valued, which goes to the heart of the opportunity in front of us.” — Mark McGowan, senior business writer
What’s next
The next board election for Southern Cross Media Group is scheduled for its annual general meeting, likely to be held in November 2026.