Enviro-activist protest targets WA Premier Roger Cook’s office

Environmental activists have vandalised the electorate office of WA Premier Roger Cook in the latest protest action against Woodside Energy’s Burrup Hub gas project.

Environmental activists have vandalised the electorate office of WA premier Roger Cook in the latest protest action against Woodside Energy's Burrup Hub gas project.

Environmental activists have vandalised the electorate office of West Australian Premier Roger Cook in the latest protest action against Woodside Energy’s Burrup Hub gas project.

White paint was used to deface the brick facade of Mr Cook’s office in his electorate of Kwinana, in Perth’s south.

Activists have been campaigning against Woodside’s plans to extend the life of its LNG operations on WA’s northwest coast out to 2070, arguing that emissions from the project will accelerate climate change and harm ancient rock art.

The protesters have become increasingly aggressive in their approach, including blocking CBD traffic, setting off stink bombs inside Woodside’s Perth headquarters, and targeting the home of Woodside chief executive Meg O’Neill.

In March, they defaced a mural outside the Rockingham office of federal Resources Minister Madeleine King.

WA Premier Roger Cook. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Both WA’s Environmental Protection Authority and federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek are closing in on decisions on whether to approve the project. Former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley in March joined other former Labor premiers and ministers in urging Ms Plibersek to reject the plans.

A statement from the Disrupt Burrup Hub group said the WA government approving the project would threaten the world’s climate and desecrate sacred Murujuga rock art.

“Premier Cook and the WA government are willing to vandalise our few remaining environmental protections to allow gas projects like Woodside’s Burrup Hub to expand,” the group said.

Mr Cook labelled the graffiti attack on his electorate office as “just another lame stunt”.

In a statement, he said energy transition was a key priority for his government “but anyone who thinks the world can transition to net-zero emissions without gas is living in a fantasy land.

“WA’s gas will be vital for our trading partners across Asia to shift from emissions-intensive coal towards cleaner energy.”

He also criticised the techniques used by the activists.

The activists are expected to again target Woodside’s annual general meeting in Perth this month.

A spokeswoman for Woodside said the company condemned unlawful acts that were intended to threaten or harm any member of the community.