Kirrilee Warr

Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has urged the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation to keep their discussions surrounding dust in Geraldton transparent, to ensure the community can be confident in the solutions.

On Wednesday, reports emerged indicating DWER was engaging with the Mid West Port Authority and Karara Mining around the dust, after the investigation found magnetite was identified as a factor for dust pollution in Geraldton.

Ms Warr said the community deserved to be informed of any changes.

“The Department’s update is important because the community has for the most part been left in the dark about where the investigation is at,” she said.

“As we enter Geraldton’s windiest months, it’s important for a plan to be in place and for the community to be aware of what is happening.

“I urge the Department to be transparent with any changes to ensure the Geraldton community has confidence there will be a long-term solution.”

Ms Warr said questions raised from The Nationals WA forced the Environment Minister’s hand in finding a solution.

“Geraldton residents know this issue has been ongoing for years, but only now has the State Government decided to act,” she said.

“We raised this issue and asked questions in the Budget Estimates process, and only after then was an investigation conducted.

“The Cook Labor Government says it is listening and I hope the concerns of Geraldton will be heard and acted upon going forward.”

Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA has questioned how the Fisheries Minister can confidently establish a Kalbarri fishing zone by 2028, saying key data the Minister relied upon to make these decisions may not be available as a result of the demersal fishing ban.

It comes following an ABC report on Thursday saying fishers did not believe the research underpinning their industry is up to standard amid a transition to quota management.

Previously, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has relied on data from the commercial fishing sector to determine stock levels.

Ms Warr said during Budget Estimates, it was confirmed that no formal stock assessment would take place in 2026 in the West Coast Bioregion.

“The Opposition asked questions around stock assessments and how data would be collected, and we were told there would be no formal stock assessments taking place this year,” she said.

“It is hypocritical of the Minister to close an industry based on the science but then decide to reopen the fishery based on the data. How can you manage something you are not measuring?

“This is a continuation of what we see from the Cook Labor Government: policy without a plan.”

Ms Warr said the Minister is happy to throw the Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) under the bus, despite the commercial sector proposing quota management years ago.

“Too often we see this Government act first, then ask questions later,” she said.

“The Minister blamed WAFIC and pitted the commercial sector against recreational fishers instead of bringing groups together to find a solution.

“The Minister’s own advisory group lacks a voice from the commercial sector, who could provide valuable insight into how a managed system could operate going forward.”

Ms Warr said there needed to be an explanation for the additional budget funding for fishing data.

“We have been told there is $5m budgeted for an ‘enhanced science program’ in the State Budget, but there is little detail provided to what this means,” she said.

“Why won’t the minister explain the program and how it will help assess demersal fish stocks?”

The Western Australian fisheries portfolio has become an absolute shambles under Labor, with three different Ministers in the past decade delivering shifting policies while funding for fisheries management, research and development has been repeatedly cut.

“Fisheries management must be based on sound science and evidence not political expediency, or the latest policy direction of whichever Minister happens to hold the portfolio.

“At the 2025 State Election, The Nationals WA made a clear commitment to return Fisheries to a standalone department with appropriate funding, ensuring fisheries management is properly underpinned by science and research.

“After a decade of Labor’s mismanagement, it is clear the current approach is not working.

“Labor simply cannot be trusted to properly manage Western Australia’s fisheries resources.”

The Nationals WA have thrown their support behind ensuring the healthcare needs of Geraldton is met, with members passing a motion at the Party’s 2026 State Conference calling for funding for key resources at Geraldton Health Campus.

The motion calls for additional inpatient beds, onsite staff accommodation, a new community allied health building, and a publicly funded mammogram, CT and MRI service as part of the integrated cancer centre.

Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA said the motion sent a clear message that improved healthcare in Geraldton requires a multi-faceted approach.

“The Geraldton Health Campus redevelopment was one of the most over-budget and delayed projects, and yet it still lacks the infrastructure needed to support our growing region,” Ms Warr said.

“The new facility is welcomed and the mental health unit will be a benefit for people in Geraldton, but without additional beds and improving the capacity to provide accommodation for healthcare workers, this facility may not see its full potential.”

Ms Warr acknowledged community concerns about stage one of the redevelopment and the new Emergency Department, but hoped the Minister would take on board some of the concerns.

“An important aspect of any project is to ensure it is fit for purpose, and feedback received to my office is that the ED has some flaws, particularly when it comes to privacy concerns in the public triage area,” she said.

“I stress this project and investment is welcomed as it can provide significant benefit for the community, but I hope the Minister can take the feedback onboard to help the hospital make improvements for patient-centred care.”

Ms Warr said while motions do not automatically become Party policy, they reflect the position of The Nationals WA’s grassroots membership and play an important role in shaping the Party’s future policy priorities.

“Health is one of the most important issues I hear from the community, and Geraldton residents deserve to access basic healthcare as close to home as possible,” she said.

“Having the infrastructure at Geraldton Health Campus would be of significant benefit not just to the local community, but to other regions north of Geraldton.”

Ms Warr said the strong support from the Party’s membership demonstrated the importance of the issue to people across regional Western Australia.

“The Nationals WA membership has made its position clear: Geraldton Health Campus needs the key infrastructure to ensure it can function with a growing population,” she said.

“The State Government needs to commit to funding to ensure Geraldton has its healthcare needs serviced properly.”