Premier Roger Cook defends Federal Labor’s no-show at Woodside event

Premier Roger Cook has defended the Federal Government’s no-show at Woodside’s 70th Anniversary, saying getting out to the regions was a better way of engaging with industry than “sharing a chardonnay” at a function in Perth. While the WA Labor Government was represented by Energy and Environment Minister Reece Whitby, no Federal Labor politician went to the gas giant’s anniversary celebration at Crown on Saturday night. This was despite Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King — who was on leave — attending a football game at nearby Optus Stadium that finished more than an hour before the festivities began. Opposition leader Shane Love accused the Premier in question time on Tuesday of “snubbing” the event. “Does this blatant disregard for such a critical industry event, suggest Labor has given up supporting the gas industry in Western Australia?” the Nationals MP asked. Mr Cook said he was in the Pilbara — where much of Woodside’s operations occur — while the event was on, and that the Prime Minister had shown his commitment to WA by visiting the State 22 times since he was elected. “I spent some time (while in the Pilbara) with members of Woodside, celebrating two important milestones on the Burrup Peninsula on Sunday morning,” the Premier said. “While the leader of the opposition was pleased with himself — perhaps surprised — that he’s got an invitation to share some drinks... that’s good. “I thought it was more appropriate to do what I was doing, which is engaging with the community and engaging with Woodside on the ground.” Mr Cook said his Government would continue to advocate for the industry as it moved towards a “renewable energy future”. “But that’s not going to be sharing a chardonnay at a particular function in Perth. That’s called getting the boots on the ground and getting the red dirt on them like my cabinet was on the weekend,” he said. The Premier also ridiculed the Opposition for using their first question of the week to ask about “who went to whose birthday party”. Woodside’s celebration saw appearances from former Liberal Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison as well as former Premiers Mark McGowan, Colin Barnett and Richard Court. Mr Whitby gave a speech on behalf of the Premier where he congratulated the company and said the Government looked forward to its “decades ahead”.