Countryman Politics

Cabinet VisitWA Farming groups snubbed during Federal Ag Minister’s visit

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has been slammed for failing to meet with farming groups during a cabinet visit to WA this week.

Georgia Campion

The new Upper House members for the WA Parliament have been sworn in.

regulation pauseWA farmers call for a pause on current firearm regulations

WA farmers are calling for a pause on the State Government’s current firearm regulations in the wake of the announcement of a three month parliamentary inquiry into the “draconian” law.

Melissa Pedelty & Dylan Caporn

POLITICSKey sticking point in major trade deal

Both Australia and the EU say they are on the brink of a major trade deal, but one key issue is holding it up.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

The advantages of an Australia-EU free trade deal would include increased investment. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

international (foreign) tradeAustralia-EU 'determined' to seal trade deal: minister

Trade minister Don Farrell says Australia and the European Union are working through issues to try and finalise a free trade deal.

Staff Writers

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - June 4, 2025: Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canbera.NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Federal politicsChalmers pushes on with super tax but opens door for Greens

Jim Chalmers plans to push ahead with his proposed increased tax on superannuation in the form already rejected by Parliament but concedes the reality of the Senate means the Government may need to compromise.

Katina Curtis

News‘Fight to death’: Super tax row goes nuclear

Labor’s super tax has proven to be a point of contention between a Nationals senator and the Greens leader, with the pair blowing up on TV.

Hannah Wilcox

NewsChalmers rules out key demand on super tax

The Treasurer said Labor will not bow down to a Coalition demand, stating Labor’s plan to double taxes on super accounts over $3m will “proceed” as is.

Hannah Wilcox and Jessica Wang

Central Wheatbelt MLA Lachlan Hunter has used his maiden speech in WA Parliament to express his frustration over the Albanese government “tearing” the sheep industry apart.

Parliament SpeechCentral Wheatbelt MLA Lachlan Hunter delivers maiden speech

Newly-minted Central Wheatbelt MLA Lachlan Hunter has used his parliamentary maiden speech to express his frustration over the Albanese government’s ban on live sheep exports.

Georgia Campion

news‘We need’: Albo’s call on controversial target

While touring farming communities hit by some of the driest conditions on record, the PM called for an end to a “pretty pointless” political debate.

Jessica Wang

Liberal MP Rick Wilson was not reappointed to the Coalition’s shadow cabinet.

SHADOW CABINETO’Connor MP Rick Wilson not reappointed to shadow cabinet

Fifth-term Federal Liberal MP Rick Wilson says he is disappointed to have been dumped from the shadow cabinet under new Liberal leader Sussan Ley but will continue advocating for livestock producers.

Melissa Sheil

Nationals candidate Paul Brown has lost his bid for a seat in the Senate.

Federal ElectionKeep the Sheep campaigner loses Senate bid, has no regrets

Keep the Sheep campaigner and Nationals candidate Paul Brown said he has no regrets in running for Senate, saying “life goes on”, while remaining optimistic about the future of agriculture.

Georgia Campion

One Nation’s Tyron Whitten has claimed the sixth and final Senate seat in WA.

Federal election 2025One Nation claims sixth WA Senate spot over Labor

The victory for One Nation’s Tyron Whitten came as a shock for the party which had been trailing Labor for the sixth spot.

Oliver Lane

Sussan Ley and David Littleproud unveiled their joint shadow cabinet on Wednesday.

Shadow MinistryNFF welcomes newly announced shadow cabinet

Nationals leader David Littleproud’s appointment as Federal shadow minister for agriculture has been welcomed by the National Farmer’s Federation.

Georgia Campion

Premier Roger Cook, Police Minister Paul Papalia and Assistant Commissioner Peter Healy inspect a pile of more than 10,000 firearms returned as part of the gun buyback.

gun reforms‘Shambolic’ gun law reforms under fire during transition

WA farmers are battling to comply with the State’s new gun law reforms, with a litany of online portal issues complicating an already “shambolic” process.

Melissa Pedelty

Labor’s Trish Cook won a tightly contested Federal election race to become the inaugural Bullwinkel MHR.

Federal PoliticsMember for Bullwinkel Trish Cook vows to help rural voters

Labor’s Trish Cook has vowed not to forget her rural constituents as she begins her role as the first Member for Bullwinkel.

Melissa Pedelty

State PoliticsLabor joins Upper House to refer gun laws to committee

Labor has made a major concession on its firearm laws, joining all non-Government parties in referring the regime to a parliamentary inquiry.

Dylan Caporn

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has been scathing of the Liberal Party since the federal election. NewsWire / Martin Ollman

UPDATEDHuge claim could derail Coalition crisis talks

A senior Nationals senator at the centre of the stoush with the Liberals says David Littleproud did not take a key issue to their party room.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Minister for Agriculture and Food, Fisheries, Forestry, Small Business, Mid West, Jackie Jarvis.

State PoliticsAg Minister wants more WA food on local shelves

Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis says she wants to see more food on Western Australian shelves made in the State as she talks up the role of agriculture’s domestic manufacturing future.

Oliver Lane

The Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook in Jakarta in 2023.

ExclusiveOpposition accuses Cook of ignoring ag ties to neighbours

WA’s shadow agriculture minister has accused Premier Roger Cook of not prioritising the industry during his recent visit to Indonesia and Singapore.

Georgia Campion

Jennacubbine farmer and former Labor politician Darren West.

‘Dumbest Electorate’Former MLC brands O’Connor Australia’s ‘dumbest electorate’

A former member of WA’s Upper House has labelled O’Connor as “Australia’s dumbest electorate” for re-electing Liberal MP Rick Wilson, who has hit back at the “appalling comments”.

Georgia Campion

David Littleproud is unperturbed about talk of a challenge to his leadership of the Nationals. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Politics'I don't care': Nationals leader puts job on the line

The leader of the Nationals has backed his party's decision to split from the coalition, even if it costs him his job.

Kat Wong