Labor leader Mark McGowan. Picture: Rebecca Le May/AAP

The low-key Labor leader’s political career has been relatively uneventful, certainly when compared to his Navy service, during which he was commended for bravery after saving an unconscious driver from a burning car.

These days Mr McGowan is struggling to be recognised, despite being the man most likely to secure the Western Australian leadership this weekend.

According to ABC’s AM program, voters struggled to recognise Mr McGowan after being shown a picture of him, with one man even saying he looked “not very interesting”.

For the record: This is what Mark McGowan looks like. Picture: Colin Murty/The AustralianSource:News Corp Australia

The 49-year-old family man has spent five years as the state’s opposition leader and has had a relatively smooth ride.

He managed to survive a leadership challenge from former federal minister Stephen Smith last year but his days are probably numbered if Labor loses this weekend’s election.

In a rare scandalous moment in 2008, Mr McGowan was linked to twice jailed former premier and lobbyist Brian Burke regarding a campaign fundraising strategy during the 2005 state election.

But attention soon shifted to then-Liberal leader Troy Buswell, who was infamously forced to admit he sniffed the chair of a female colleague in 2005.

Mr McGowan has otherwise appeared to be an uncontroversial and likeable leader. He met his wife Sarah at the 1993 federal election when she was working part-time for the Electoral Commission.

WHAT DOES HE STAND FOR?

Mr McGowan has taken a cautious, slightly boring approach to campaigning, usually remaining on message — to the frustration of some.

An interview on ABC TV’s 7.30 program on Monday night was largely panned because Mr McGowan failed to answer questions without falling back on scripted responses.

More proof he’s a politician: Dressed in the unofficial pollie uniform, the tradie vest. Picture: Dan Peled/AAPSource:AAP

Mr McGowan has also been criticised for projected costings that seemingly do not add up.

The opposition leader has made several announcements, including:

• $465 million for tourism marketing;

• $381 million for schools;

• $40 million on “medi-hotels” for recovering patients; and

• $60 million for a meth border force.

Labor also plans to dump the controversial Perth Freight Link, including $1.2 billion in federal funding, which the party hopes to defer to other projects, although the federal government says that won’t happen.

It has promised to axe 20 per cent of the public sector’s senior executive positions and trim down the number of government departments and agencies by the same amount.

Mr McGowan has refused to implement a new debt ceiling, which used to be $20 billion. It was breached by the Liberals and is now headed for $41 billion.

Labor’s costings have it getting the state’s budget back in surplus by $205 million by 2019/20, but debt would still rise to more than $39 billion.

Mr McGowan has also backtracked from a 50 per cent renewable energy target set by Labor, saying it was appropriate to leave targets up to the federal government.

‘CHEAP AND TACKY’

One money-saving measure in particular has seen WA Premier Colin Barnett accusing Mr McGowan of being “cheap and tacky” over the proposal to sell stadium naming rights.

Labor wants to sell the naming rights for the new Perth Stadium and Perth Arena to add $10.5 million to the budget bottom line of four years.

Mr McGowan has defended the policy, saying it would help reduce the debt and deficit facing WA. The city’s name would be retained in the new names for Perth Stadium and Perth Arena, and he said hoped a local company like Wesfarmers or Woodside would bid for the rights.

Mr McGowan has for the most part refused to say much about the Liberals’ preference deal with One Nation, but he did describe it as “desperate”.

A NAVY MAN DECORATED FOR BRAVERY

Mr McGowan was the deputy mayor of Rockingham before being elected to state parliament in December 1996.

Mark McGowan back when he was in the Navy.Source:News Limited

He was parliamentary secretary to Premier Geoff Gallop from 2001 to 2005 and held several shadow portfolios.

In government, Mr McGowan held portfolios including environment, education and training, racing and gaming, and tourism.

His accomplishments include approving the Gorgon Gas project and the FMG iron ore mining project, small bar reforms, and negotiating to bring low-cost carrier Jetstar to Perth.

Mr McGowan grew up in regional NSW with his younger brother and parents, who ran small businesses.

He moved to WA with the Royal Australian Navy in 1991, becoming a lieutenant and serving as a legal officer at HMAS Stirling until mid-1996.

He was awarded the Governor-general’s Commendation for Bravery in 1997 after he rescued an unconscious driver from a burning car two years earlier.

Mr McGowan has been married to his wife Sarah since 1996 and they have three children — Samuel, Alexander and Amelia — as well as a poodle cross named Georgie.

For this weekend’s election, his parents, Dennis and Mary, have crossed the Nullabor in their caravan to support their son in the election.

He says he hopes he doesn’t disappoint them.

WHO IS MARK MCGOWAN?

Age: 49

Electorate: Rockingham, a lower socio-economic area

Education: University of Queensland, studied law and arts

Previous Career: Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy

Family: Wife Sarah and children Samuel, Alexander and Amelia

Mark McGowan with his wife Sarah and their children Samuel, Alexander and Amelia. Picture: Rebecca Le May/AAP.Source:AAP