At a pre-election event in Perth, Western Australian Premier Roger Cook referred to US Vice-President JD Vance as a “knob.” This incident occurred during the West Australian’s Leadership Matters event, where Cook was a guest speaker. When a journalist asked Cook to complete the sentence “JD Vance is a ____,” Cook responded “knob” and followed it up by stating he had to have one unprofessional moment. His comment received laughs and applause from the audience.

Cook is seeking reelection for a third term in office, with state elections set to take place on Saturday. Western Australia is playing a crucial role in the AUKUS agreement, as both the US and UK are expected to send ships to the region starting in 2027. The state will also be home to US Virginia-class submarines from the early 2030s.

HMAS Stirling, a base south of Perth, will receive up to $8 billion from the federal government to support infrastructure needed for the incoming nuclear-powered submarines.

At the event, Cook expressed his uncertainty about the potential significance of the Trump administration for the world, emphasizing the importance of a steady and experienced hand during uncertain times. Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers responded to Cook’s comment, stating that he would have chosen different words but declining to make judgments about Cook’s choice of words.

Vance has faced criticism in the US due to his meeting with Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and his stance towards Ukraine’s president. On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced it would temporarily halt aid to Ukraine.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/04/wa-premier-roger-cook-calls-us-vice-president-jd-vance-a-knob