Musician and climate activist John Butler has criticised Western Australia’s climate policies, accusing the state government of backing fossil fuel projects while promising a transition to renewable energy.
Speaking at the Global Citizen Now conference in Perth, Butler used a songwriting analogy to argue that the government’s climate ambitions did not match its actions.
“The lyrics and melody, the chords and rhythm – they don’t match,” he said. “They don’t support each other like they should when a good song is working.”
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook has said the state wants to reduce emissions to zero and move towards renewable energy and industries. But Butler said the government also supported multiple fossil fuel projects.
“All these chords that are meant to go with the hopeful lyrics are all ticking carbon bombs, not the rhythm I want to dance to,” he said.
The two-day, Western Australian government-backed summit has brought together experts to discuss clean energy and global development ahead of November’s COP31 meeting in Turkey.
Mr Cook returned to the conference for a second time in two days and joined Global Citizen co-founder Michael Sheldrick for an impromptu question-and-answer session.
Referring to an observation by Mr Sheldrick about criticism of his government from speakers at the event, Mr Cook said: “I want that … I want everyone to bring their version about what the clean energy transition looks like, and we can work together.”
The Premier compared discussions about the state’s future to a journey that would not be smooth or linear, but said it was “a pathway that we must all commit ourselves to”.
Butler also attacked what he described as a “revolving door” between government and industry, claiming politicians sometimes moved into highly paid roles in sectors they had previously regulated.
He said corporations then sought social approval by buying advertising on football teams and placing banners across schools and arts festivals.
“It’s kind of predatory. It’s kind of parasitic. It’s creepy, frankly,” Butler said.
