Praise for Premier Roger Cook’s storming election victory comes with red tape warning from WA business

The WA business world has lined up to congratulate Premier Roger Cook on his resounding election victory but swiftly outlined their demands for more cheap gas and less “productivity-killing” bureaucracy. Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott lauded the re-elected Mr Cook for his “demonstrated understanding” of the hugely influential sector and branded him a “staunch advocate for WA”. The victory was also welcomed by mining lobby Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA, whose chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson praised the Premier for his “appreciation of the immense contribution” the money-spinning industry delivers for the State. Gas lobby Australian Energy Producers, as well as national and WA business lobbies commended WA Labor for the landslide win on Saturday. But with the well-wishes came renewed calls for action on perennial industry gripes ahead of the Premier’s second term. Mr Cook’s electoral seat of Kwinana is set to become an even bigger manufacturing and industrial zone for WA, and is also where Wesfarmers’ brand new lithium hydroxide refinery and existing chemicals operations are anchored. Keeping energy costs down is crucial for the energy-hungry conglomerate, and chief executive Mr Scott said he looked forward to working with the Premier to ensure there would be “competitive, reliable gas for domestic industry”. “With a seat that covers the Kwinana industrial strip, one of Australia’s leading manufacturing hubs, the Premier understands the important role that gas and WA can and will play, to support the climate transition,” Mr Scott said. “There’s plenty for the Premier and his Government to do and we look forward to working closely with him.” Ensuring WA had a low-cost, accessible gas supply for manufacturers and miners, while also appeasing developers who wanted less stringent export rules to secure investment was a balancing act for the Premier in his previous term. An overhauled gas policy announced in September allows companies with new and expanding projects to export 20 per cent of their gas until 2031. Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch said the gas industry was “committed” to working with Mr Cook on new supply, more exploration, and implementing carbon capture and storage. Representing WA’s resources and energy businesses, CME boss Ms Tomkinson said WA Labor’s plans to build batteries, turbines and transmission lines domestically needed cheaper electricity and more land. “The Premier’s first priority must be the delivery of a draft master transmission plan for the South West Interconnected System to provide certainty and unlock investment in large-scale wind and solar generation,” she said. The CEO also implored Mr Cook to continue fighting for “sensible and supportive Commonwealth policy”. “That must include repealing productivity-killing industrial relations reforms and changes to improve and streamline project assessment processes, enhancing environmental outcomes while eliminating duplication and providing certainty over timeframes.” New Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief Peter Cock said WA Labor had made “welcome” commitments during its campaign to reduce red tape and reform environmental approvals. “CCIWA looks forward to continuing a productive and positive relationship with the returned Cook government to tackle the key issues facing WA businesses,” he said. Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black encouraged continued support for the resources sector and to “streamline regulation between WA and the Federal Government.” “We welcome Premier Cook’s support for the resource sector, and the importance of backing successful industries that drive prosperity for WA and the nation.”