Western Australia's Premier, Roger Cook, sparked controversy on Tuesday morning when he labeled US Vice-President JD Vance a "knob." The remark came during the West Australian's Leadership Matters event in Perth, a day before the Western Australian state election. Cook made the comment in response to a journalist's question that prompted him to finish the sentence: "JD Vance is a …"
Cook's comment drew immediate criticism from political figures, including Nationals leader David Littleproud. Littleproud expressed his disapproval, stating that such remarks were not "helpful" and did not reflect how Australia or its government would conduct diplomatic meetings or press conferences. He emphasized respect for US sovereignty while acknowledging the frustration over financial aid to Ukraine.
“While I don’t agree with what transpired in the Oval Office, I respect the sovereignty of the United States, I understand the frustration in spending a lot of money in Ukraine and they want to see peace.” – David Littleproud
The federal treasurer, Jim Chalmers, also responded to Cook's words, stating that he would have chosen "different words" himself. However, he refrained from judging Cook's choice of language.
“It’s up to Roger Cook to choose his own words,” – Jim Chalmers
“I would [have] chose different words … I’m not making any judgments about the words that Roger chose.” – Jim Chalmers
The incident occurred amidst significant geopolitical developments, with Western Australia at the center of the Aukus security agreement. Under this pact, US Virginia-class submarines are set to be stationed in WA from the early 2030s. The federal government plans to invest up to $8 billion into HMAS Stirling, a naval base in WA, to support infrastructure for these nuclear-powered submarines.
During the event, Cook reflected on the uncertainties surrounding international relations, emphasizing the need for steady leadership.
“Well, I certainly think he represents an uncertain one, so again let me just say in times of uncertainty you need a steady hand, experienced hand at the wheel.” – Roger Cook
The timing of Cook’s remarks coincided with a significant decision from the Trump administration to pause aid to Ukraine, adding another layer of complexity to international relations.