Hon. Rob Horstman MLC

Shadow Minister for Emergency Services Hon Rob Horstman MLC says the Eucla Airstrip is a critical lifeline for one of Western Australia’s most remote communities.

He is calling on the Cook Labor Government to urgently progress it’s long-promised upgrade – warning the remote community should not be left waiting any longer for critical transport and emergency infrastructure.

“When rain falls at Eucla, the airstrip can become unusable for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), WA Police and emergency services. Even minor rainfall can render the unsealed runway dangerous, forcing aircraft to land on the Eyre Highway during medical emergencies,” says Mr Horstman.

While the State Labor Government committed $3.38 million in 2024, the project has failed to appear in recent State Budgets and construction has yet to commence.

Mr Horstman said the Government’s failure to honour its commitment was leaving remote communities exposed and delaying critical infrastructure they had long been promised.

“This is not a wish-list project—it’s essential infrastructure that can mean the difference between life and death. The Labor Government announced funding with great fanfare, yet there is no sign of the project progressing and no provision for it in recent State Budgets. Communities deserve answers.”

Mr Horstman said the consequences of further delays were well understood.

He said the Eucla community, emergency responders and the Shire of Dundas had advocated for the upgrade for more than a decade, highlighting its importance not only for local residents but also for the thousands of motorists travelling the Eyre Highway each year.

Mr Horstman calls on the State Government to immediately recommit funding, provide a clear construction timetable and deliver the long-overdue project.

“Regional Western Australians deserve the same access to safe emergency services as anyone living in Perth. The Government must stop making promises and start delivering.”

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.”

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.”

Nationals Member for Western Australia, Rob Horstman MLC says the Cook Labor Government’s State Budget has once again failed regional Western Australia, delivering little for the communities that generate the wealth of the State and nation.

“Kalgoorlie deserves better than being treated as an afterthought in every State Budget,” Mr Horstman said.

“Regional communities continue to do the heavy lifting for Western Australia’s economy, yet time and again we are overlooked when it comes to investment in the infrastructure and services we need.”

Mr Horstman said they were disappointed to see water supply issues for Kalgoorlie overlooked in this year’s Budget.

“In 2025, The Nationals WA announced their commitment to develop a detailed business case and begin planning for a desalination plant in Esperance, to provide a long-term water solution for Kalgoorlie and surrounds.”

“Kalgoorlie residents have endured years of water restrictions, having a major impact on the community, sporting clubs and industry.”

“It is incredibly disappointing that this project has again been ignored, despite the clear benefits it would deliver for the community.”

Mr Horstman also criticised the Government for failing to fund expansion works for the Kalgoorlie Fire Station.

“Kalgoorlie has received additional career firefighter staffing, and yet the station facilities have not properly expanded to accommodate them.”

“Meanwhile previously planned Stage 3 works remain delayed as Kalgoorlie’s firefighters wait for the new training tower and a permanent generator after reporting repeated power outages.”

“This is Labor’s tenth State Budget, and the pattern is now impossible to ignore — regional WA continues to be treated like a piggy bank for Labor-focused projects.”

Mr Horstman said the continued erosion of Royalties for Regions meant communities in regional WA were no longer receiving their fair share.

“Royalties for Regions was created to ensure wealth generated in the regions was reinvested back into the regions,” he said.

“Instead, we are seeing hundreds of millions of dollars diverted away from regional communities and funnelled into Labor’s priorities in Perth.”

Mr Horstman reaffirmed The Nationals WA’s commitment to restoring Royalties for Regions to its original purpose.

“Regional WA deserves its fair share of the wealth it helps create, and The Nationals WA will continue fighting to make sure our communities are not left behind.”