Out West

In Out West, Colin Barnett traces the modern economic and political story of Western Australia through the lens of his own life and leadership. He reflects on the forces that have shaped the state's development.

Vast in scale and physically isolated, Western Australia has long been seen as different, yet it has emerged as Australia's leading export state, responsible for around half of the nation's exports.

From an agricultural base to an economy dominated by mining and gas, Barnett offers an insider's account of the transformation driven by global demand and sustained relationships with Japan and, later, China. Barnett was at the centre of this transition, holding key portfolios including Treasury, Education and Tourism. His legacy also includes the environmental protection of the Kimberley, the settlement of native title claims, and landmark infrastructure projects that reshaped Perth.

Barnett writes candidly about leadership at the state and national level, recounting his dealings with four Australian Prime Ministers and his role in international trade and investment, from London to Houston.

Throughout, Out West is grounded in a deep sense of place, a story of a vast state with small-town roots, and the challenges and responsibilities that come with governing at the edge of the nation.