Premier Roger Cook's Move to Perth Raises Eyebrows in Kwinana Electorate
Premier Roger Cook's announcement that he will be moving from his Wellard home in Kwinana to West Perth has left many constituents frustrated and questioning his commitment to the area. The relocation, set for next month, marks the first time in at least 18 years that a Premier will not reside in their own electorate.
Constituents Voice Concerns Over Representation and Commute Issues
Local residents like Ken Bowry have expressed skepticism about how effectively Mr. Cook can represent Kwinana from Perth. "It's better him being in Kwinana. If he's representing the area, he should be here, not in Perth," Bowry stated, highlighting a common sentiment among voters.
Mr. Cook defended the decision, citing the demands of his role as Premier. "(Being Premier) involves regularly attending early and late meetings, and with that in mind, Carly and I have decided the time is right to relocate, close to where we work," he explained. The couple plans to rent out their Wellard home and move into a recently purchased apartment in West Perth.
Traffic Congestion on Kwinana Freeway Fuels Anger
Single mother Vivian voiced frustration over what she perceives as a "luxury" move amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. "It must be nice in a cost of living crisis to be able to move," she remarked, pointing to the daily struggles faced by commuters on the Kwinana Freeway.
Vivian, who drives 55 minutes to work each day on the congested freeway, called for action rather than relocation. "What I'd like to see is instead of him being able to have the pleasantries of just moving his life, he could instead make some changes. That Kwinana Freeway is inadequate for the amount of people that it needs to accommodate," she emphasized.
Fiona Reily echoed these concerns, suggesting alternative solutions. "I totally get the commute is hard, but maybe he should be more focused on fixing that rather than just moving out of the area. Roger and Rita are going on about our world-class transport system, so maybe he could just hire a security guard and catch the train," she proposed.
Questions About Community Connection and Future Representation
Reily also questioned the Premier's ability to understand local issues from afar. "I think to represent a community, you have to be a part of it, and if you're not part of the community, how can you really understand the residents?" she asked.
Despite the move, Mr. Cook will maintain an electorate office in Kwinana. Christine Lynch expressed hope that he will continue to serve effectively, noting, "The move is a bit strange as he's been here for all this time and he's felt like one of us. I suppose it's his job to represent this area, so I hope he still does."
In a statement to The Sunday Times, Mr. Cook reaffirmed his dedication, saying, "I remain absolutely dedicated to the people of Kwinana who elected me as their local member in 2008. I raised my family in Kwinana, and it will always be home."
Financial Details and Housing Market Context
While Mr. Cook's office declined to disclose the purchase price of the West Perth apartment, the median apartment price in the suburb is $603,000, with three-bedroom units reaching up to $916,000. The couple built their Wellard home in 2009, where the median rent for a house is currently $690 per week.
This relocation has sparked a broader debate about political representation and infrastructure priorities in Western Australia, with many Kwinana residents urging the Premier to address pressing local issues like traffic congestion before focusing on personal convenience.
