News Clippings

Forrest weir challenge: Anthropologist’s sacred site evidence questioned in tribunal

At the WA State Administrative Tribunal, Andrew Forrest and his former wife Nicola are challenging the state government’s refusal of their plan to build a series of weirs along the Ashburton River on their Minderoo Station in the Pilbara. The proposal is opposed by the Thalanyji people and the Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation (BTAC), who say the project would harm the spiritual and cultural significance of the river. During cross-examination, counsel for the Forrests, Kenneth

Darren Brown November 12, 2025

WAFarmers-against-lowering-default-speed-limits

Submissions

Submission to the Regulatory Impact Analysis to reduce the open road default speed limit

WAFarmers is against lowering default speed limits outside built-up areas 1. The core problem is not the default limit but driver behaviour and road maintenance While road safety is a shared national priority, the assumption that lower default speed limits will materially reduce fatalities oversimplifies a complex issue. Driver error, fatigue, distraction, alcohol, and inattention are leading causes of rural road crashes — not simply “speed.” Many regional and remote roads are in poor condition

Darren Brown November 10, 2025

Media Releases

Albany Zone moves to support Nationals’ Net Zero policy

Members of Western Australia’s peak farming body has passed a motion to “endorse the Federal National Party’s decision to abandon Australia’s current net-zero by 2050 commitment.” The meeting of the Albany Zone of WAFarmers yesterday formally called for the organisation’s policy to be updated to “reflect recent political, economic, and technological developments surrounding Australia’s emissions reduction commitments.” The motion also “calls on: The WA Liberal Party and the Federal Liberal Party to review and realign

Trevor Whittington November 7, 2025

Opinion Articles

Captain Jarvis will go down in history

Long-suffering readers know my refrain: Western Australia can build stadiums, museums and Metronet tunnels, yet still cannot build a permanent home for its agriculture department. Call it DPIRD or the old Ag Department, or — as I prefer — the Department of People, Inclusion, Re-education and Diversity. Titles change, logos change, ministers change. The reality stays the same. For decades we have shuffled staff around Perth like sailors swapping hammocks on a leaking frigate, while

Trevor Whittington November 6, 2025