Government News

Information session: Farm Business Transition Program Round 2 

Applications are now open for Round 2 of the Farm Business Transition Program. Information and Q&A sessions are being held across WA’s Wheatbelt, Great Southern, South-West, Mid-West and Peel regions throughout March. Sheep producers are encouraged to attend to discuss and ask questions in-person on: Producer eligibility and eligible activities How to apply and what’s required Differences from WA’s Supply Chain Capacity Program Application support and resources. About the program The Farm Business Transition Program supports sheep producers to increase on-farm adoption and uptake of alternative farming systems and practices. Funding supports the development

Darren Brown February 27, 2026

Opinion Articles

What does the rail lease actually require?

This is yet another instalment in my running theme: the State rail debacle. A saga of privatisation, monopoly infrastructure, and governments that appear to have misplaced both the keys and the contract. Twenty-five years after Western Australia leased out its freight rail network, one basic question still has no straight answer: what does the Brookfield/Arc lease actually require? Who is responsible for maintaining and upgrading WA’s freight rail network, and how on earth do we force the

Trevor Whittington February 19, 2026

News Clippings

Farm Weekly: Court case to defend rights of everyone

When Tony Maddox walks into the Supreme Court tomorrow, Friday, February 20, supporters say he will be carrying more than his own defence. He will be testing how Aboriginal heritage law applies to freehold farmland across WA. The Toodyay farmer has pursued a judge-only appeal against his conviction for breaching WA’s unamended Aboriginal Heritage Act (ACHA) 1972, after undertaking works on a creek crossing at his property in 2022. Found guilty in the Magistrates Court

Darren Brown February 19, 2026

Opinion Articles

How close is “too close” for a 300-metre tall wind turbine?

There are moments in public policy when you read a document, glance at the date, and briefly wonder whether someone has accidentally fed the printer a filing from another era. The Western Australian Planning Commission’s draft Renewable Energy Planning Code is one such moment. Released for public comment at the end of 2025, it poses a question of pressing contemporary relevance: how close to your house should a 300-metre-tall wind turbine be built? This would

Trevor Whittington February 17, 2026

Submissions

Submission on Draft Australian Standard AS 7531 – Rolling Stock Lighting and Visibility

Submission on draft Australian Standard AS 7531 – Rolling stock lighting and visibility Steve McGuire, President WAFarmers 17 February 2026 Introduction The Farmers Federation of Western Australia welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the draft Australian Standard AS 7531 – Rolling Stock Lighting and Visibility. WAFarmers represents primary producers across Western Australia, including thousands of grain, livestock and mixed farming businesses operating in the Wheatbelt and South-West. Our members rely on both road and

Darren Brown February 17, 2026

Correspondence

Letter to Minister Reece Whitby offering support for Firearms report recommendations

WAFarmers President Steve McGuire today sent the following letter to the Minister for Police, Hon Reece Whitby MLA. Hon Reece Whitby MLA Minister for Police By email: [email protected] Dear Minister, RE: IMPLEMENTATION OF IMMEDIATE ADMINISTRATIVE IMPROVEMENTS UNDER THE FIREARMS ACT 2024 AND ASSOCIATED REGULATIONS I write following the release of the Standing Committee on Legislation Report No. 51 – Firearms Act 2024 with the support of the WA Firearms Community Alliance. The Committee’s report provides

Darren Brown November 25, 2025

Wheatbelt

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