The Nationals WA will this week introduce a Bill to the Western Australian Parliament to legislate mandatory train lighting, a critical rail safety measure which will save lives at passive rail crossings across Western Australia, fulfilling an election commitment.
Announcing the Opposition Alliance intentions at an event today, Leader of the Opposition, Basil Zempilas MLA, spoke to the Liberals support for the Bill, making rail safety a united Liberal and National Alliance priority.
Leader of the Nationals WA, Shane Love MLA, said the Bill would mandate\ improved visibility standards for all trains and rolling stock, including flashing beacons, side lighting and enhanced reflectors, measures not currently required under the Rail Safety National Law Application Act 2024.
“The Nationals WA have spent years advocating for stronger rail safety laws, focusing on the long‑standing risk posed by poor train visibility at passive level crossings.
“The Nationals WA’s preferred approach has always been to see these changes implemented through national regulation, ensuring the highest possible standard of rail safety across Australia,” he said.
“However, the State Labor Government has failed to act.”
“This Bill will put Western Australia at the forefront of rail safety reform and provide greater protection for people who live, work and travel in regional Western Australia.”
“We must act now before more lives are lost” Mr Love said.
“The Nationals and Liberals are united in support of this Bill. Our question now is whether Labor will put politics aside and back these reforms that will save lives.”
The push is supported by expert research and decades of advocacy following tragedies such as the 2000 Yarramony Road disaster, where three young West Australians were killed at an unlit crossing, and comes despite a 2001 coronial recommendation that has never been fully implemented.
Lara Jensen, a rail safety advocate and spokesperson for the RailFail campaign, endorsed The Nationals WA policy and Leader Shane Love for showing leadership on this vital safety reform.
“As the sister of a young man killed at Yarramony, I’ve spent more than two decades living with the consequences of a system that has failed to prioritise visibility and safety,” Ms Jensen said.
“For decades, families like mine have been calling for a basic, common-sense change: put lights on trains. We’ve had reviews, recommendations and promises, but no real action. That’s why this moment matters.
“Mandating proper lighting on trains is long overdue. It’s a simple reform that will save lives, particularly at the hundreds of passive crossings across WA, where motorists rely on seeing a train in time to stop.
“I commend The Nationals WA and Shane Love for turning years of advocacy into action. Honouring those we’ve lost means making sure no other family has to go through this — this reform is an essential step toward that goal.”
The Nationals WA Bill will be debated in August, during National Rail Safety Week.