Premier Roger Cook defends moving house from Kwinana electorate to West Perth
Roger Cook says it is the right decision to move closer to his office in West Perth. (ABC News: Jack Stevenson )
In short:
WA Premier Roger Cook has defended his decision to move away from his own electorate of Kwinana to West Perth.
He says living closer to Parliament House will help him manage the demands of the job and denied it was about being stuck in freeway traffic.
The Kwinana Freeway, the main artery between the Perth CBD and the city’s southern suburbs, is one of the country's most congested roads.
WA Premier Roger Cook has defended his decision to move away from his Kwinana electorate to West Perth, saying he needed to be closer to his work.
Mr Cook has confirmed he and his partner will move to a residence close to Parliament House, after years living in Wellard, about 40 kilometres south of Perth.
Premier Cook says he wants to continue to stay in his role beyond the next election. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
The premier said it was the "right decision" that would enable him to "provide the energy and input into" his role, which he said he wanted to continue to play beyond the next election.
"Now I know some people are saying we're doing it for the city lifestyle — I'm moving across the road from my office," he said.
Asked how he would maintain his connections with the electorate, Premier Cook said he would have an "intense program" focused on his profile in Kwinana, but did not reveal further details.
"We make that an important part of what we do in the Premier's office to ensure that I am able to be in the electorate as often as possible," he said.
"There will be some changes, but people will still continue to see me around.
"I'll still make sure that Kwinana is one of my priorities."
Premier Cook denied the move was about avoiding traffic jams on the Kwinana Freeway.
The freeway, which is the main link between Perth CBD and the city's southern suburbs, is often congested with traffic in both directions, as incoming traffic merges into two lanes.
"This is about the further demands of travel which come with the role," he said.
The Kwinana Freeway is often congested in both directions. (ABC News: Jake Sturmer)
"I've got a long-term focus in relation to this, and I think people would appreciate the opportunity to be close to my office so that I can apply myself even more, which would be an important one."
The state government also published an update on a $700 million upgrade of the Kwinana Freeway on Monday morning, as the premier was fielding questions about his move.
The freeway will be expanded with a third lane in each direction for the 11-kilometre stretch between Russell Road and Mortimer Road, the government said, with construction expected to begin in 2027.
'Dad from Kwinana'
Premier Cook repeatedly marketed himself as "a dad from Kwinana" during the 2025 election campaign, which saw him lead Labor to yet another landslide victory.
Premier Cook frequently uses his "as a Dad from Kwinana" line in election campaign ads on social media. (ABC News: Gian De Poloni)
Several people the ABC spoke to in Kwinana said they were okay with their local MP moving away from his electorate.
Renay, who wishes not to use her surname, said she understood the premier's decision.
"It's a positive thing having him [Premier Cook] here, that's for sure," she said.
Renay says she understands the premier's move. (ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)
"I do understand that because I've commuted to West Perth myself.
"Obviously, it wouldn't be easy for him having early morning meetings and then late at night — it's a tricky thing."
Matt criticises the time it has taken the government to address the traffic issues on the freeway. (ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)
Another resident, Matt, said he did not blame the premier's move but criticised the time it has taken the government to address the traffic issues on the Kwinana Freeway.
"It's been a joke for 25 years," he told the ABC.
"The disappointing thing is they're going to spend $700 million [to] put in one lane.
"By the time they get it done, we'll need another lane, so they should be putting in two."
Kwinana residents Vince Marangonoa (left) and Eleanor Harmer (right) say they are not concerned. (ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)
Vince Marangonoa and Eleanor Harmer said they were also not concerned the premier would fall out of touch with the local community, saying his relocation is "fair enough".
Prior to Mr Cook, Dr Carmen Lawrence served as premier from the late 1990 to 1993 living outside her own electorate.
However, Dr Lawrence did not move house, rather the boundaries of her seat were redrawn.