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Premier Mark McGowan celebrates phase three of WA’s coronavirus reopening with a kebab in Rockingham

Headshot of Natalie Richards
Natalie RichardsThe West Australian
Premier Mark McGowan and his kebab at Pitta Pit.
Camera IconPremier Mark McGowan and his kebab at Pitta Pit. Credit: Mark McGowan/Facebook

Premier Mark McGowan has celebrated the reopening of WA venues in the way only Mark McGowan can — with a Rocko kebab!

The Rockingham local made headlines in the height of the pandemic in April after being asked about a whether West Australians would be fined for going for a jog and sitting down to eat a kebab, like a man had in New South Wales.

The question caused the previously stoney-faced Premier to crack into hysterical laughter on live television.

“They do think differently in New South Wales,” he replied through laughter, before declaring: “There’s nothing wrong with going for a run and having a kebab.”

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The press conference earned Mr McGowan a huge following, with many praising his good humour during the tough times.

Yesterday, as many West Australians enjoyed a night out for the first time in two months after restrictions on bars and restaurants were lifted, Mr McGowan kept his promise to dine out in Rocko.

In a video posted to his Facebook, he showed off his celebratory kebab.

“Hi everyone, phase three changes have kicked in, there’s relaxation of restaurants and cafes and the like across the state. I’ve come out to celebrate,” he told his followers.

“I’m here at Pitta Pit in Rockingham with Sam who’s running the show here and I’m eating a kebab. Enjoy!”

The video was brilliantly captioned: “Happy Phase 3 Western Australia! I didn’t run here, but I could have.”

The Art Gallery of WA has bought a jumper created by a WA artist immortalising the famous kebab quote.

Textile artist Emma Buswell, 28, was stood down from her job because of the pandemic and was feeling low when the Premier’s direction on food and jogging rules lifted her spirits.

“I was saying to friends how funny would it be if I made this my uniform. It was a bit of a personal joke and then people really liked it,” she said.

The jumper, which cost $600 to create and is being shown at the gallery since it reopened yesterday.

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