Running with Tony Buti: Roger Cook’s path to politics fermented at Murdoch University in post-Whitlam era

Roger Cook, the 31st Premier of Western Australia and Member for Kwinana, is a fitness fanatic and fan of both Elvis Presley and EDM (Electric Dance Music). We caught up at the State War Memorial, Kings Park. TONY BUTI: Your parents instilled in you the value of education. What was it about Murdoch University that attracted you? ROGER COOK: It’s a funny story actually. I was touring the UK with the State under-18s rugby team when the university application forms came out, and my sister was active in the student group at Murdoch University at the time. She put Murdoch as my first preference — and the rest is history. TB: Are you happy that you went to Murdoch? RC: Yes I am. In the early 1980s it was filled with that sense of wild optimism that came with the Whitlam era — university should be accessible to more people, it should push the boundaries of thinking, and it should be an institution for change. Part of the culture of my family was you always get involved, and you always get things done. I’d just come out of studying politics at high school and coming from a pretty political family with a strong commitment to community service, it was inevitable that I was going to end up getting involved in some way. I served on the student guild at Murdoch and eventually became president of the National Union of Students. TB: You are the youngest of seven, what was it like growing up in such a big household? RC: It was great fun. You were part of a tribe, and it was always loud. There was always something happening. I had three brothers who were older than me, so I was often highly engaged in whatever destructive mischief we could get up to. And of course, I was the youngest, so I was spoiled rotten. TB: You played for the under-18 State rugby union team. Why rugby union? RC: My brother played Aussies Rules during the week for his school, and then he experimented with rugby union on the weekends. Around this time I thought my big brother was God — I was six, he was eight — he started playing union. We thought, well, that’s obviously what you do, so we started playing it. And then that became part of me. Rugby provided a great sense of identity, because it was a bit different from what every other kid was playing. The rugby union community was also very tight knit. It was a great community. TB: You’ve been pushing for a WA-based rugby league team in the NRL. Have you gravitated more to league now? RC: At one point I was playing union on a Saturday and league on a Sunday. Union was my first love, but rugby league is in a better place at the moment. Getting a WA NRL side is about much more than just local pride in your sports team, it’s about generating economic activity, attracting visitors to our State and engagement in the national economy. Every time you would host a home game, you’d drag thousands of fans from the other clubs to explore this incredible place called Western Australia. It’s another opportunity for us to leverage the great profile that our economy has, and I think it would be a huge success. TB: What has been the biggest difference between being Deputy Premier and Premier? RC: As Premier, you have a greater sense of agency and more opportunity, and that comes with added pressure. I have a vision for our State, to continue to grow and diversify the State’s economy, set us up for the future and solidify our position as the capital of the Indian Ocean. I want to see that vision come to life and it’s an incredibly exciting time to be in the role of WA Premier. Our economy is on the cusp of an extraordinary period of growth, and the jobs that come with it will be of great benefit to all Western Australians. TB: You’re a bit of a fitness fanatic. How many marathons have you run? RC: I’ve done the City to Surf in WA and the Melbourne Marathon. I’ve done about half a dozen 70.3 triathlons, both as an individual and as a team member. I love triathlon, but it’s incredibly hard on your body and very time consuming in terms of the training. Now I’ll run, swim and bike but separately. TB: Do you have a Christmas message for your fellow Western Australians? RC: This year has been a particularly tough one for road fatalities, so I just want everyone to stay safe. At Christmas time many of us value spending time with friends and family, so look out for them over the busy holiday period.