Lachlan Hunter MLA

Shadow Minister for Tourism Scott Leary MLA says the Premier and Tourism Minister has failed to stand up for Western Australia’s tourism industry after he refused to say whether he had acted over changes threatening the supply of backpacker workers to regional WA.

In State Parliament today, Mr Leary asked the Premier what action he had taken with his Federal Labor colleagues following reports Working Holiday Maker visa applications had been paused for 24 countries and delayed for a further 19.

Mr Leary said the question was simple – had the Premier acted to protect WA tourism businesses that rely on Working Holiday Makers to fill critical workforce shortages?

“The Premier had every opportunity today to tell Western Australians what he has done to stand up for our tourism industry – but he refused to answer,” Mr Leary said.

“That should be deeply concerning for tourism and hospitality operators across regional WA who are already struggling to find enough workers.

“Working Holiday Makers are not just tourists. They are a critical part of the workforce in regional communities across the state, working in our hotels, restaurants, cafes and tourism businesses.

“If fewer backpackers can get to Western Australia, it will be regional businesses that feel the impact first.”

The latest concerns follow the Federal Labor Government’s decision to remove priority visa processing for regional employers, adding further pressure to businesses already struggling with persistent workforce shortages.

Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love MLA said the State Government could not claim tourism as a priority while remaining silent when Federal decisions threatened the workforce underpinning the industry.

“The Premier is also the Tourism Minister. He should be on the phone to Canberra making it crystal clear that Western Australia cannot afford decisions that make it harder for regional tourism businesses to find workers,” Mr Leary said.

“Regional tourism operators deserve to know whether their Tourism Minister is actually fighting for them.”

Nearly two months into the job, the Cook Labor Government’s new Mines and Petroleum Minister was unable to explain core responsibilities of his own portfolio, raising serious concerns about his preparedness for the role.

Shadow Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Exploration Lachlan Hunter MP said Question Time today raised serious doubts about whether Minister Daniel Pastorelli was prepared to manage one of WA’s most important portfolios.

Mr Hunter questioned the Minister on the State Government’s responsibilities for onshore oil decommissioning and whether he had engaged with the Federal Government on offshore decommissioning obligations.

“These were straightforward questions about who is responsible, what processes are in place and whether the Minister is actually engaging with the Commonwealth on an issue of major importance to Western Australia,” Mr Hunter said.

“The Minister’s response did little to inspire confidence he understands the significant regulatory, environmental and financial responsibilities of petroleum decommissioning, or the need to engage with Canberra on offshore obligations.”

Mr Hunter said the Government’s lack of confidence in its new Minister was further highlighted when Labor later directed a Government question about mining in the Goldfields to former Mines Minister David Michael, rather than Minister Pastorelli.

“That really said it all. Labor writes its own Dorothy Dixers, yet when it came time to ask a question about mining in the Goldfields, they turned to the former Minister,” Mr Hunter said.

“If the Cook Government does not have confidence in its new Mines Minister to answer its own scripted questions about the industry, why should the resources sector have confidence in him?

“Nearly two months into the job, Daniel Pastorelli is still relying on his predecessor to do the heavy lifting. Premier Cook might see him as Labor’s boy wonder, but WA’s resources sector is too important for on-the-job training.”

Mr Hunter said WA’s resources sector required experienced and engaged leadership, particularly as the State navigates increasingly complex issues around decommissioning, investment, regulation and Commonwealth-State responsibilities.

“The Mines, Petroleum and Exploration portfolio is central to WA’s economy, jobs and State finances. It demands a Minister who knows the brief and is prepared to lead,” Mr Hunter said.

“The question for Roger Cook is simple: when will his new Mines Minister be ready to do the job?”

Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr MLA has echoed calls for the Federal and WA Governments to work to ensure the aged care sector is functioning properly, saying Geraldton residents are being failed by the system.

It comes following Shadow Minister for Aged Care Bevan Eatts’ call for Federal Labor to clarify the ambiguity on official aged care wait times.

Ms Warr said enquiries have been made to her office surrounding the aged care system.

“A number of issues have been raised with me in regard to aged care, with concerns about the waitlist,” she said.

“Residents are being told there are a hundred people ahead of them in the queue, with no suitable alternatives to keep them in Geraldton while they wait.

“Instead, some are being told to relocate to places where they do not necessarily have the support networks in place.

“It’s disappointing, and the State and Federal response from here must be better going forward.”

Ms Warr echoed Mr Eatts’ comments, saying residents need adequate time in order to plan their futures.

“The inconsistencies between what is officially reported which includes two figures and what families are being told is creating confusion in the community,” she said.

“Families, particularly those in regional WA, need clear timeframes so they can make an informed decision about their care.”

The Nationals WA has renewed concerns about the impact of Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa changes on regional Western Australia industries, following reports that the Australian Government has paused visa applications from 24 countries and delayed processing for a further 19 countries.

The reported changes have raised concerns among regional employers, agricultural producers and tourism operators who rely on backpackers to help fill seasonal workforce shortages.

Nationals WA Leader Shane Love said the WHM visas had long played an important role in supporting regional industries and communities.

“Regional industries have consistently highlighted the contribution that Working Holiday Makers make to agriculture, tourism and hospitality across Western Australia,” Mr Love said.

“Many businesses rely on seasonal workers to meet labour demands during peak periods, particularly in regional and remote areas where workforce shortages remain a challenge. Western Australia’s tourism and hospitality operators in tourism hubs like Broome, Exmouth and Margaret River rely heavily on backpackers to fill frontline roles.

“Capping or cancelling WHM visas will be devastating to Western Australia’s tourism – something this WA Labor government, with the Premier at the helm of Tourism, is keen on pushing as a supposed priority. What’s the point of pushing an Exmouth whale shark experience in New York’s Times Square, if there will be no workers to look after the influx of tourists? What exactly are this government’s priorities?”

Mr Love said any cuts to the Albanese government program would also worsen seasonal labour shortages across regional Western Australia. Backpackers provide the flexible, short-term workforce relied on by WA’s horticulture, grain and wine industries, particularly in regions such as the South West and Gascoyne. Fewer arrivals would mean fewer workers available for fruit picking and harvests.

“The agriculture industries already have a mountain of roadblocks to navigate: fuel issues, feral animal infestations, drought; so why would the government make things even more difficult?”

Media reports indicate the visa pauses and processing delays form part of the Federal Government’s broader migration management settings.

The Nationals had previously drawn attention to the devastation that cutting back on these visa holders would have on an already suffering agriculture industry, Australia-wide and Mr Love said concerns raised by regional industries mirror warnings that have been made for several years about the importance of maintaining access to seasonal labour.

“Industry groups, including the National Farmers’ Federation, have repeatedly pointed to the role backpackers play in supporting regional economies and helping businesses remain productive,” he said.

The National Farmers’ Federation’s 2024 report on Working Holiday Makers highlighted the significant contribution backpackers make to regional Australia, particularly in sectors experiencing persistent labour shortages.

“What has been covertly released these past few days will no doubt make a present report even more negative. Producers and regional employers are seeking certainty about workforce availability as they plan for upcoming seasons.”

The Nationals WA said it would continue to monitor the situation and engage with regional stakeholders regarding the potential impacts of the reported visa changes, but also called on the State Labor government to stand up for the regional industries and ensure workers are available.