Premier Roger Cook and his deputy Rita Saffioti have been struck down with COVID-19, robbing them of a big and important moment on Labor’s biggest day of the year – state conference.
The new-look leadership team was supposed to have been on show on Sunday when Mr Cook was due to make a keynote address in person.
Instead, the ALP faithful will be played a video message from the under-pressure Premier in which he will tell them he will “take nothing for granted” at the next election.
Ms Saffioti was due to introduce Mr Cook.
Both tested positive after arriving back from a tour of Japan on Wednesday night along with Mr Cook’s chief of staff Daniel Pastorelli.
“This morning (Saturday) after experiencing symptoms, they both self-tested, and returned positive COVID-19 test results,” a Government spokesperson said.
“Both will continue to work from home until their symptoms resolve, in line with health advice.”
Mr Cook said it was a “very “timely reminder that COVID remains an ever-present risk in our community”.
“Given the surge in hospitalisations, it’s clear there are hundreds of new COVID cases in our community going unreported,” he said.
“We need to get back basics – wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, and most importantly, if you’re feeling unwell, stay at home until your symptoms resolve. “
COVID-19 cases in WA are increasing, with the state’s chief health officer Andy Robertson warning the virus was still a threat.
“Western Australia is experiencing an increase in community transmission of COVID-19,” Dr Robertson told The Sunday Times.
“This is an expected part of the ongoing evolution of COVID-19 in the community as people’s immunity wanes over time.
“There are a number of variants contributing, with the EG.5 recombinant variant being the most dominant.”
In the week ending October 15, WA Health reported 23 new hospital admissions – which have almost doubled in the last week of October to 43 new hospital admissions.
Reported cases increased in the last fortnight from 212 to 423 new weekly cases in the same period.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg, with West Australians no longer having to report their positive RAT tests as of October 9.
Only PCR tests are recorded.
His non appearance at state conference is a blow for the embattled Mr Cook, who is still trying to establish himself as Labor leader and Premier following the shock resignation from politics of Mark McGowan in May.
Since taking over as Premier from Mr McGowan, Mr Cook has had to navigate troubled waters, putting out fires in key areas like police and health.
Labor’s re-worked Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act was a disaster, the government having to rip apart years of work and revert back to the old Act.
Labor’s popularity is on the wane, as it seeks a third term of government in 2025.
A poll undertaken for The West Australian in July predicted a Liberal-Nation win at the next poll.
Predictably, in his video message to the Labor faithful, Mr Cook takes aim at the Liberals and Nationals who are currently at war over who should be top dog of their alliance.
Mr Cook says WA Labor will “take nothing for granted” next election.
“My team and I have the experience to continue the upward trajectory of our great state,” he tells the party fgaithful.
“The hallmark of our WA Labor Government has been our stability.
“Our resilience. And our responsible and sensible management of the State’s economy.
“It is that experience that will propel our state forward.”
But he says of his opponents: “The Opposition continues to prove they’re not up to the job.
“The Liberals and Nationals have no experience, no policies and no ideas – and – importantly – no unity.
“Western Australians know that in government, the Liberals and Nationals would send WA backwards.
“Their record is deficits, unsustainable debt, job losses and a recession. “
In his recorded speech to state conference, Mr Cook will also announce a $21.5 million boost to subsidise 150 additional apprentices and trainees in the residential construction sector.