Nationals WA MP Hon Rob Horstman MLC has slammed the Cook Labor Government for failing to invest in the infrastructure needed to support one of Western Australia’s most important regional education institutions, following a damning report exposing a student accommodation crisis at the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) in Kalgoorlie.
The report, released by Curtin University’s Student Guild and Make Renting Fair WA, reveals a disturbing picture of students forced to couch-surf, sleep in cars and even live in tents because they cannot secure suitable accommodation while studying.
With only 266 student beds for a cohort of around 800, the report highlights a severe shortage that is disproportionately affecting international and postgraduate students.
Meanwhile, Kalgoorlie’s rental vacancy remains critically low and rents continue to climb.
Hon Rob Horstman MLC, who attended the opening day of Diggers & Dealers in Kalgoorlie this week, said it was deeply concerning that students were struggling to find somewhere to live in a regional city hosting Australia’s premier mining forum while educating the next generation of mining professionals.
“No student should be sleeping in a car or a tent simply because they chose to study at one of Western Australia’s premier mining schools,” Mr Horstman said.
“The Western Australian School of Mines has a global reputation for producing the skilled workforce our mining industry depends on, yet Labor has failed to ensure the basic infrastructure is in place to support those students. The contrast couldn’t be clearer. This week Kalgoorlie is welcoming mining leaders and investors from around the world for Australia’s premier mining forum, yet many of the students who will become the industry’s future workforce cannot even find a safe place to live.”
Mr Horstman said the accommodation crisis was not only harming students but also undermining Kalgoorlie’s reputation as a world-class education and mining centre.
“This is the predictable result of a government that has failed to invest in education infrastructure while talking endlessly about addressing skills shortages. If the Cook Government is serious about training the next generation of mining engineers and attracting international students to Western Australia, it must work with Curtin University and deliver the accommodation needed to support them.”
Mr Horstman said the Government could not continue to ignore the challenges facing regional education.
“Western Australians expect students to have access to safe and affordable accommodation – not to be choosing between completing their studies and having somewhere to sleep. The Cook Labor Government must act before this crisis does even more damage to regional education and our future skilled workforce.”
The Cook Labor Government has finally bowed to pressure from the Opposition by restoring a Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Agriculture following its Cabinet reshuffle.
The appointment comes after Western Australia went without a dedicated Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture since 14 December 2022, despite agriculture remaining one of the State’s largest export industries and the backbone of regional communities.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Lachlan Hunter MP said the appointment was an overdue admission that Labor had failed to give agriculture the attention it deserved.
“For almost four years, Labor treated agriculture as an afterthought.
“The Opposition has consistently called on the Cook Labor Government to restore a dedicated Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture because our farmers deserve a Government focused on the challenges facing the sector every single day.
“Whether it has been avian influenza, fertiliser shortages, freight pressures, workforce shortages or rising costs, WA agriculture has faced significant challenges while Labor left the portfolio without dedicated parliamentary support.”
Mr Hunter said it was telling that the Government had finally acted only after sustained criticism and a Cabinet reshuffle.
“This is a Government that has spent years taking regional Western Australia for granted.
“Labor has appointed an inner metropolitan MP from the 20 square kilometre electorate of Bicton to help oversee one of the State’s biggest regional industries. I hope this means the Government will finally start listening to the people who produce our food and drive our regional economy.”
Mr Hunter said the appointment was welcome but long overdue.
“If Labor believed agriculture deserved a Parliamentary Secretary today, then it deserved one yesterday, last year and the year before.
“This appointment is an admission that the Cook Labor Government got it wrong. The real question is why it took nearly four years, a Cabinet reshuffle and relentless pressure from the Opposition before they finally listened.”
The Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food, Lachlan Hunter MP, has called on the Cook Labor Government to provide certainty to Western Australia’s poultry industry as the threat of H5 avian influenza grows.
“Western Australia’s poultry industry has worked hard to strengthen biosecurity and prepare for the threat of bird flu, but producers still do not have answers to some critical questions,” Mr Hunter said.
“Preparedness is not just about responding to an outbreak. It is about ensuring producers know exactly what will happen before one occurs. With such a disease, things can change overnight.”
Mr Hunter said industry participants need a clear understanding of the circumstances under which mandatory housing orders may be considered in Western Australia.
“At present, there are no mandatory housing orders in place anywhere in Australia. However, if avian influenza were detected in a commercial poultry operation, producers deserve to know what thresholds would trigger a housing order and how that decision would be made.
“The industry cannot be left guessing. Farmers need certainty so they can make informed operational and investment decisions now.”
Mr Hunter said the Cook Labor Government should seek urgent clarification from the ACCC on free range egg labelling following the expiry of interim guidance.
“Free-range producers need confidence that if birds are required to be temporarily housed for biosecurity reasons, they will not be unfairly penalised in the marketplace.
“Without updated guidance, producers face unnecessary commercial uncertainty at a time when their focus should be on protecting animal welfare and maintaining biosecurity.”
Mr Hunter said the recent confirmation of local transmission in wild bird populations in South Australia highlighted the need for Western Australia to have clear arrangements in place before the situation escalates further.
“The spread of H5 avian influenza in wildlife on the mainland demonstrates how quickly circumstances can change. Western Australia has an opportunity to get ahead of the issue by providing producers with clear protocols, clear expectations and clear communication.
“Our poultry industry is vital to Western Australia’s food security and regional economy. Producers deserve certainty that the Government has not only a response plan, but a plan that industry understands.”
Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has urged the local community to have their say on the State Government’s review of the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) and Club Night Lights Program (CNLP).
Both funding programs have provided significant benefit to regional communities, but have been paused since August 2024.
Ms Warr said a number of sporting groups, local governments, and community organisations within the Geraldton electorate had raised queries about the program.
“Sport is important for community and brings people together, but we need the infrastructure to continue to support local organsations,” she said.
“Multiple groups within Geraldton have approached me with concerns about the lack of funding opportunities now that these programs have been paused.
“With the State Government making consideration, it is important for the community and organisations within Geraldton to convey the importance of this program.”
Ms Warr said the funding model, which saw the funding split equally between clubs, local governments, and the State, was beneficial.
“It is a competitive grant process, but it allows local clubs to create modern and safe facilities at a fraction of the cost,” she said.
“The uncertainty on the future of the program is creating anxiety for those who have applied, or were considering applying over the past two years.”
Ms Warr echoed Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation Peter Rundle’s comments, urging the community to make their voices known.
“Local organisations can make a submission which could help shape how this funding model exists going forward,” she said.
Feedback can be submitted through the Department or Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport’s online consultation portal.
Submissions close of August 28.
Shadow Minister for Water Peter Rundle MLA is warning that the rapid rollout of AI driven data centres could place further strain on Western Australia’s already stretched water supplies and is not confident the Cook Labor Government is prepared.
While welcoming investment and technological innovation, Mr Rundle said new data centres must form part of an integrated plan that ensures the sustainable and responsible use of water.
“Artificial intelligence presents enormous opportunities for Western Australia, but the growth of AI data centres cannot come at the expense of household water security. The Cook Labor Government needs to prepare now to protect WA water sources and mitigate potential impacts,” Mr Rundle said.
Mr Rundle said the Federal Government’s recently announced National AI Plan lacked sufficient guidance on water use, despite AI data centres being significantly larger and more resource intensive than traditional facilities.
“As AI adoption grows, so too will demand for data centres and the water required to cool them. The question is not whether Western Australia will see more of these developments, but whether the Cook Labor Government is planning properly for the impact.
“Both the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments need to safeguard our water supplies and ensure water security remains a priority as Australia’s digital economy expands.”
Mr Rundle said Western Australia faced unique challenges compared with the eastern states, with Perth increasingly reliant on groundwater and desalination.
“Water is one of WA’s most valuable resources. Every major new water user should be assessed through a water security lens, particularly in a state already investing heavily in new water sources to meet future demand.
“What matters is where the water comes from, how it is used, whether recycled water is being prioritised, and whether it impacts households, agriculture, industry or future residential development.
“Any large-scale data centre should be required to demonstrate that recycled or non potable water sources have been properly considered before relying on drinking water supplies.”
Mr Rundle said transparency should also be a requirement for future approvals.
“Western Australians deserve to know how much water major facilities are consuming and what impact they may have on local supplies. Public reporting of water use should be standard practice, and this Government needs to apply strict rules around this.”
He said the issue was particularly important in regional Western Australia, including the Pilbara, where growing demands from mining, industry, renewable energy and future economic development were already increasing pressure on available water resources.
“Western Australia cannot afford to treat water as an afterthought. Water security must be built into every data centre approval from day one.”
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation Peter Rundle MLA is encouraging sporting clubs, local governments and community organisations to provide feedback on the State Government’s review of the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF) and Club Night Lights Program (CNLP).
The CSRFF and CNLP have been on hold since August 2024, yet it wasn’t until May 2026 that the State Government announced it had closed program applications and was planning a review.
Mr Rundle said the funding programs play a vital role in delivering new and upgraded sporting infrastructure across Western Australia, particularly in regional communities where quality sporting facilities are essential to maintaining participation and community wellbeing.
“These programs provide much-needed funding for new and upgraded sporting facilities that keep people active and connected, especially in our regions,” Mr Rundle said.
“In many regional towns, sporting clubs are the lifeblood of the community, and these grants help ensure facilities remain safe, modern and fit for purpose.”
Mr Rundle said the suspension of funding rounds has left many worthwhile projects in limbo.
“With funding paused for two years we now have a significant backlog of important projects waiting for support. Clubs and local governments have been left in uncertainty, delaying infrastructure upgrades that are badly needed across the State.”
As part of the review, all aspects of the CSRFF and CNLP are being considered, including eligibility requirements, funding caps, application timeframes and the current one-third funding contribution model shared between clubs, local governments and the State Government.
Mr Rundle encouraged anyone who has previously been involved in the CSRFF grant process to make their voice heard.
“This is an important opportunity for sporting clubs, volunteers and local governments to help shape these programs for the future,” he said.
“If you’ve had experience applying for a CSRFF grant, I strongly encourage you to provide your feedback before the consultation closes on 28th August.”
Feedback can be submitted through the Department or Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport’s online consultation portal. The next funding rounds are anticipated to open in early 2027.
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Rob Horstman MLC has called on the Federal Government to carefully examine all feedback from today’s national AusAlert test and be transparent about any shortcomings identified, warning the new system must match the functionality of the existing Emergency Alert system before it replaces it in Western Australia.
Mr Horstman said concerns had been raised by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm that AusAlert does not currently include URLs linking people directly to Emergency WA and other real-time emergency information.
“WA currently relies on the text-based Emergency Alert system, which many have experienced during the recent bushfire and cyclone seasons,” Mr Horstman said.
“This system includes links to Emergency WA, ensuring real-time information is sent to those most at risk. In an emergency, up-to-date and correct information is critical when deciding whether to stay or leave.”
Mr Horstman said Emergency WA remained the most reliable source of emergency information and warned AusAlert must provide the same level of access and detail if it is to replace the current system.
He also raised concerns about the system’s compatibility and accessibility, noting reports that some older devices and tablets may not receive alerts, while people with disability, users of assistive technologies, and those living in remote areas could face additional challenges.
“Another key flaw with AusAlert, I have already had feedback on, is that it isn’t delivered as a text message. If people miss or dismiss the initial pop-up, there’s no simple way to refer back to the alert later. In an emergency, critical information must be easy to access when it’s needed, not just when it first appears.”
Mr Horstman said further clarity was needed for regional Western Australians who rely on landlines due to limited or no mobile coverage.
“There are many West Australians, especially those in regional WA with no cellular service that rely solely on their landlines,” he said.
“To accompany the AusAlert system we need the infrastructure to ensure these people aren’t left in the dark during an emergency and provided the same warnings and detail as mobile users.”
Mr Horstman said the national test had provided an important opportunity to identify gaps in the system before its full rollout.
“The Government must carefully consider all feedback received from today’s test and be transparent about any issues identified and how they will be addressed,” he said.
“Emergency warning systems must be reliable, accessible and provide the information people need to make critical decisions during an emergency.
“If AusAlert is to replace existing systems, it must at a minimum match the capabilities Western Australians currently rely upon and ensure no one is left behind.”
WA Nationals Leader Shane Love MLA says debate at this week’s Federal Labor Conference has confirmed what regional Western Australians have known for years: declining local services and a lack of investment are leaving regional communities behind.
“Regional Western Australians do not need another Labor conversation about the bush; they need practical action and genuine investment in their communities. The fact Labor now considers regional communities a ‘sleeper issue’ suggests they only take notice when voter frustration begins to show up in the polling,” Mr Love said.
“For The Nationals WA, regional communities are the reason we exist. People in regional WA are tired of being taken for granted while essential services decline and local communities are expected to do more with less.”
Mr Love said country local governments were increasingly being asked to deliver critical infrastructure and services without adequate support from State Government.
“Regional councils are on the frontline delivering local roads, community facilities and services that people rely on every day, yet they continue to be burdened with greater responsibilities and fewer resources,” he said.
“That is why Royalties for Regions, in its intended form, was so important. It ensured regional investment was additional to normal government spending and gave regional people a genuine say in decisions aAecting their own communities.”
Kirrilee Warr MLA, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said the Country Local Government Fund was one of the most successful examples of that approach, delivering direct funding to local governments for roads, community infrastructure and locally identified priorities.
“The Country Local Government Fund empowered regional councils to make decisions based on local needs, not instructions from Perth,” she said.
“Rather than strengthening Royalties for Regions, Labor has hollowed it out and turned a transformational regional development program into a fund for day-to-day government spending. Councils cop the brunt and fill the gaps because Labor is absent.
“Regional councils need dependable funding, local decision-making and a government willing to back them, rather than continually shifting the burden onto country ratepayers,” she said.
Mr Love said that Labor notices regional WA when it fears losing votes, while the Nationals WA fight for regional WA every day.
Shadow Minister for Road Safety Hon Julie Freeman MLC has welcomed the latest funding for the Regional Road Safety Program (RRSP) but says the Cook Labor Government’s $125 million commitment falls far short of what road safety stakeholders say is needed to address dangerous regional roads.
A RAC-led business case, developed with WALGA and Main Roads, identified 439 priority roads covering 8,208 kilometres and estimated that $552 million was required to deliver the necessary safety treatments.
“These projects are welcome, but the Government cannot pretend that $125 million over five years is an adequate response to a $552 million problem,” Ms Freeman said.
“Labor’s commitment provides less than one quarter of the funding identified as necessary to treat the priority network, leaving thousands of kilometres of regional roads without these proven safety upgrades.”
Ms Freeman said the shortfall was made worse by the Cook Government’s continued failure to secure funding from its federal Labor colleagues.
“Labor promoted a $250 million extension of the Regional Road Safety Program to local government roads at the 2025 State Election, comprising $125 million from the State and an intended $125 million contribution from the Commonwealth,” she said.
“More than a year later, the Cook Labor Government has still not secured a single dollar of funding from the Commonwealth Labor Government.
“Labor controls both governments. The Premier and the Transport Minister need to explain why they promoted a $250 million program without first obtaining a funding commitment from their own federal colleagues.”
“In 2024, 61 per cent of Western Australia’s road fatalities occurred in regional areas, despite only around one-fifth of Western Australians living outside Perth.
“That demands far greater urgency and a far greater investment than Labor has offered.”
Ms Freeman called on the Cook Government to increase its contribution and guarantee the full $250 million program if Commonwealth funding could not be secured.
“Regional road safety cannot be allowed to fall into the gap between two Labor governments,” she said.
Leader of The Nationals WA and Member for Mid-West Shane Love MLA is calling on the Cook Labor Government to immediately commence a detailed coastal study and develop a long term plan to protect Lancelin from coastal erosion.
The call comes as members of the Lancelin community travel to Perth today as part of the ‘Rescue Ride’ rally, determined to keep pressure on the State Government to act before further damage is done.
Mr Love said the people of Lancelin had spent years fighting to protect their coastline and deserved more than temporary fixes.
“What we need now is the immediate commencement of a comprehensive coastal study and the development of a long-term plan to safeguard Lancelin’s future.”
Mr Love said there had been a noticeable shift in the Government’s approach following the appointment of Hon John Carey MLA as Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport.
“I acknowledge Minister Carey for taking the time to visit Lancelin and meet directly with local residents, businesses and the Shire of Gingin,” he said.
“That engagement marks a very different approach from what the community experienced previously, and it is a positive first step.
“However, meetings alone will not stop the ocean. The people of Lancelin now need to see action.”
Mr Love said the State Government must provide both technical expertise and financial support to address a problem that was beyond the capacity of local government to manage on its own.
“Small regional shires cannot be expected to tackle major coastal erosion events without State assistance,” he said.
“Lancelin needs certainty and a permanent solution. That starts with the Government committing to the scientific work required to understand the problem and developing a long-term strategy to protect homes, businesses, tourism assets and critical infrastructure.”
“I am disappointed I cannot be at today’s rally in Forest Place, as I am travelling through regional Western Australia, however I stand firmly with the Lancelin community.”
Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA is urging the State Government to throw its support behind Geraldton Marine Rescue by assisting in the funding for its dedicated base.
Reports emerged on Wednesday revealing the organisation has signed a lease after not having a suitable base for two years, but can not afford the rent for its preferred location.
Ms Warr said the State Government needed to support emergency volunteers.
“The group’s base at Point Moore had to be demolished due to coastal erosion, but the Cook Labor Government has done nothing to assist Geraldton Marine Rescue in finding a new home,” she said.
“These are hard-working volunteers who put time and effort into keeping people safe in the water, and they deserve financial help given it helps them continue this important work.
“I urge the Emergency Services Minister to consider this matter to help this important volunteer group.”
Ms Warr said since they were forced from their old building, they had struggled with morale due to an unsuitable work environment.
“I’ve met with Geraldton Marine Rescue on a number of occasions, and they have expressed their concerns when it comes to having a proper facility,” she said.
“Having a fit-for-purpose facility helps them properly deliver training, as well as boosts morale.
“The National-Liberal Government funded the refurbishment of their building back in 2016, so why can’t the Cook Labor Government assist?”
Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Hon. Rob Horstman MLC said volunteer groups were often overlooked when it came to funding.
“Too often we are seeing the resources go towards Department services, despite our volunteer groups being in dire need of upgrades or improvements,” he said.
“Ultimately it’s the community, in particular those in the regions, who suffer from a lack of investment, and the Cook Labor Government needs to be better in this space.”
Member for Roe Peter Rundle stands with the community of Munglinup who continue to seek government regional officer housing (GROH) for teachers for their school.
In 2018 land was allocated by the Shire of Ravensthorpe specifically for teacher accommodation. The Department of Education provided approval for a purpose-built residence to support teaching staff.
Mr Rundle said, “The Munglinup community received multiple assurances from the Department that the project would proceed, and significant preparatory work was undertaken. However, after prolonged delays, the decision was made to redeploy the house and Munglinup was deemed not a high priority. This outcome was deeply disappointing for the Munglinup school and wider community.”
Mr Rundle said, “The lack of housing for teachers is known to create flow on effects in the community and is creating a high turnover of teachers at the school.
Teacher turnover is unsettling for students and parents leading to poorer educational outcomes. A kindy student having three teachers in the first semester does not set them up for educational success. No parent, urban or rural, would find that scenario acceptable.”
Mr Rundle added, “Attracting and retaining teachers at Munglinup depends on having suitable accommodation in the town. Teacher recruitment repeatedly stalls at the first hurdle; accommodation.
Minister Carey’s office states GROH housing is available, but that accommodation is a distance away in Jerdacuttup (38km), Cascades (44km), Esperance (110Km) and staff are forced to travel unacceptable distances to get to and from work.”
“Potential employees for businesses in the area are seeking a stable education for their children and will choose to go elsewhere if they feel this is not offered in the town”, Mr Rundle said.
Mr Rundle has raised these concerns with the Government many times in Parliament including a grievance in 2023 to the Minister for Housing who did not respond with anything practical for the community.
Mr Rundle also took aim at the Minister for Education saying, “The Minister ignores the warnings and continues to accept that some teaching positions have an element of danger and that it is okay.”
Mr Rundle said, “It is not okay. To provide this level of education, teachers need to be assured their safety and welfare are a top priority when they apply for these positions.
Teachers are driving long distances to work with the added worry of large agricultural machinery on the roads and driving into the sun both ways, never mind the expense.”
Mr Rundle is urging the Ministers to reconsider, “The Shire of Ravensthorpe has offered the land. The community were promised the housing, but that decision was revoked.
Every effort should be made to give current students and those who attend in the future an education with teacher stability, equitable to any other student in the state. It should not be a privilege, and it should not come with conditions.”
Mr Rundle said, “Geographically, it is essential that the Munglinup Primary School remains open. In an isolated area, the access to education should not be a question of logistics.”
I ask the Ministers responsible – again – to provide a workable solution to this teaching housing issue to assure the Munglinup community they are not forgotten.”
Leader of The Nationals WA and Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum Shane Love MLA says industrial action at BHP’s Port Hedland operations has exposed a growing problem under Premier Roger Cook: an increasingly powerful union movement with significant influence over the Labor Party.
Mr Love said workers deserved to be paid well for the important work they perform. However, with the strike threatening to cost Western Australia millions of dollars in lost royalty revenue every day, Western Australians deserved to know whether the Premier was prepared to stand up for the State’s economic interests, even when that meant standing up to powerful unions within the Labor Party.
“Who is really calling the shots in the WA Labor Party?” Mr Love said.
“Under Roger Cook, we are seeing a level of union influence within the Labor Party that raises serious concerns about whether the Government is acting independently and in the best interests of all Western Australians.”
Mr Love said the unions involved in the dispute were not simply external stakeholders.
“Senior union figures sit on WA Labor’s State Executive and play an influential role in decisions around candidates, leadership and policy direction,” he said.
“That influence makes the Government’s silence on this dispute even more concerning.
“We have a Premier who is increasingly beholden to the unions because they gifted him the Premiership.
It is a stark contrast to the leadership style of former Premier Mark McGowan, who maintained his independence from the union movement.”
“Roger Cook likes to say he will always do what is right for Western Australia.
“The right thing to do now is to step up, engage with all parties and help find a resolution.
“The Government should encourage both sides back to the negotiating table and ensure this dispute is resolved in a way that respects workers while protecting WA’s economic future.”
Community, agricultural, transport and rail safety representatives, today stood on the steps of Parliament House alongside Leader of The Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA to back the Rail Safety Bill ahead of its August debate during National Rail Safety Week.
Mr Love said the strong support from regional communities, industry and safety advocates showed there was broad backing for a practical, common-sense reform that could help prevent future tragedies.
Representatives from WA Farmers, the National Farmers’ Federation, TRANSAFE WA, the Transport Workers Union WA Branch, the Country Women’s Association of WA, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of WA and the Livestock and Rural Transport Association of WA joined advocate Lara Jensen and The Nationals WA at Parliament House today, highlighting the broad coalition of support behind the Rail Safety Bill.
“The people standing with us today, on the steps of Parliament House, represent thousands of Western Australians who live, work and travel through regional communities every day,” Mr Love said.
“Western Australia has an opportunity to lead the nation in rail safety reform, and I urge all Members of Parliament to put safety first and support this Bill when it comes before Parliament in August. I would also urge community members concerned by road safety to jump online to our email campaign website and send a message to the Premier.”
Lara Jensen, rail safety advocate, said the Bill reflected decades of advocacy, expert recommendations and community concern, including calls for action following the tragic Yarramony Road rail crossing crash in 2000.
“Families, communities and safety advocates have worked for years to have this issue recognised. The support now being shown from across regional Western Australia, agriculture, transport and community organisations demonstrates that people understand the importance of improving train visibility and reducing risk at passive crossings.”
The Bill will be debated in August during National Rail Safety Week and would require trains operating in Western Australia to meet minimum visibility standards, including flashing warning beacons, side lighting and enhanced reflective measures to improve safety at passive rail crossings.
People are urged to back the Bill and email the Premier before the debate on 12 August:
Email Premier Roger Cook | SUPPORT THE BILL: MAKE PASSIVE RAIL CROSSINGS SAFER
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA has called for the Transport Minister to intervene, following the Department’s decision to deny the WA Fishing Industry Council’s request to waive pen fees for commercial vessels following the demersal ban.
“Commercial fishers had their businesses impacted with less than a month to get their lives in order, yet nearly seven months on they are paying pen fees for boats they can’t use,” she said.
“We continue to see the unintended consequences of the fishing ban, but the Cook Labor Government chooses not to provide support and continues to leave fishers hamstrung.”
According to WAFIC, pen fees won’t be waived but payment plans would be considered.
Ms Warr said payment plans provided little relief for those doing it tough.
“There are some fishers who can no longer pay their mortgages, let alone continue to pay pen fees for boats they can’t utilise,” she said.
“Fishers have always felt the compensation for their commercial licences did not reflect what they believed to be owed, but the State Government did not listen.
“Their refusal to waive boat pen fees shows the arrogance of this government who refuses to consult with the sector before making decisions.”
