The year 2026 has not begun smoothly for Western Australian Premier Roger Cook, who is facing mounting pressure over his government's handling of two significant crises. The Premier's response to a series of targeted firebombings and a major maintenance scandal at a flagship hospital has drawn sharp criticism, including from Perth Lord Mayor and media commentator Basil Zempilas.
A City on Edge: The Firebombing Crisis
The first major test came with a spate of frightening firebombing attacks across Perth's northern suburbs. These were not random acts of vandalism but targeted assaults on the homes and businesses of individuals connected to the justice system.
Properties linked to a District Court judge and a head of the Department of Justice were attacked in the early hours of a Saturday morning, sending a shockwave through the community. The brazen nature of the attacks, using incendiary devices, created a palpable sense of fear and raised serious questions about the protection of public officials.
Basil Zempilas was direct in his assessment, stating the government's initial response lacked the necessary urgency and leadership. He argued that in the face of such a direct challenge to the rule of law, the Premier needed to demonstrate decisive action and public reassurance, which was slow in coming.
The Fiona Stanley Hospital Maintenance Debacle
Simultaneously, the government was engulfed in another scandal, this time concerning the state of one of its premier medical facilities. A leaked report revealed a massive $17.3 million maintenance backlog at the Fiona Stanley Hospital in Perth's southern suburbs.
The report, prepared by government agency WA Health, detailed hundreds of outstanding repair jobs. These ranged from faulty fire doors and broken air conditioning to malfunctioning nurse call buttons and unreliable hot water systems. The revelation was a severe embarrassment for a government that had invested heavily in the hospital's construction.
Critics, including Zempilas, seized on the issue as a symbol of poor management and misplaced priorities. The fact that such critical maintenance had been deferred at a top-tier hospital, while the government pursued other projects, became a focal point for accusations of negligence.
Leadership and Political Fallout
The convergence of these two crises in the first weeks of the year has placed Premier Roger Cook firmly on the back foot. Basil Zempilas's commentary highlights a growing perception that the Premier has not "hit the ground running" in 2026.
The criticism centres on a perceived lack of proactive leadership and effective communication. Instead of controlling the narrative, the government has been forced to react to damaging revelations and public fear. This has allowed the opposition and commentators to frame the narrative around failure and crisis management.
The political stakes are high. The Cook government must now navigate a path to regain public confidence. This will require not only resolving the immediate issues—apprehending those responsible for the firebombings and fixing the hospital's problems—but also demonstrating a stronger, more visible command of the state's affairs.
As Zempilas pointedly noted, the Premier's performance in these early tests of 2026 will be crucial in setting the tone for the remainder of his term. The people of Western Australia will be watching closely to see if his government can move from a reactive to a proactive stance, ensuring public safety and the proper maintenance of essential services.
