2026-01-15
With three colleagues joining me in the Upper House after the WA election in May, and thereby holding the balance of power there, we were better to able hold the Government to account
By Hon Brad Pettitt, MLC
This year has shown how crucial Greens representation is in the WA Parliament, and how much can be achieved even with a small team. For the first part of the year, I was the sole Greens member, holding the Cook Government to account and raising critical issues in Parliament and the media. In May, I was joined by Sophie, Tim and Jess, marking a major step forward and expanding our ability to make change.
Throughout the year, we brought attention to issues that might otherwise have been overlooked: climate action, biodiversity, youth justice, housing, renewable energy, LGBTQIA+ rights, and political accountability. None of this work would have been possible without the support of our members and community allies.
On climate, WA remains the only state without a climate change Act or a 2030 emissions target. We introduced the WA Climate Action this Decade Bill 2025, strengthening Labor’s own lapsed legislation with a statewide target. With Sophie sharing the climate change portfolio, we continued to champion climate actions and renewable energy through briefings, questions and campaigns.
Youth justice remains a systemic failure. The Coroner’s findings into Cleveland Dodd’s death made clear that Unit 18 must close immediately and children should never be held in adult prisons. We continue to push for diversion, rehabilitation and proper support services.
Protecting WA’s biodiversity was another key focus. While ending native forest logging was a win, many ecosystems remain under pressure from mining, urban sprawl and poor land management, and with Jess’s expertise in this portfolio we can even better challenge these threats.
Housing and homelessness also remained urgent issues, with renters facing soaring rents and the Government refusing meaningful protections. It has been great working with Tim on these issues.
We also spoke out on human rights, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Palestine, and continued advocacy for LGBTQIA+ rights and stronger anti-discrimination protections.
After years of advocacy, Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy reforms passed the Legislative Council, removing discriminatory barriers that prevented LGBTQIA+ people, single parents and many couples from accessing these services. With the Greens holding the balance of power, our support was essential, and I want to acknowledge the advocates and families who fought tirelessly for this change.
We also opposed the Government’s State Development Bill, which would allow major projects to bypass planning, environmental and scrutiny processes. Debate ran into the early hours, and I’m proud of my colleagues for pushing hard and securing a clause requiring a five-year statutory review.
We also have had some good wins using our balance of power in the Parliament that saw the antidemocratic Post and Boast Bill sent to the Legislation Committee and the Liberals and Greens joining together to create a select committee into planning in WA.
Header photo: Visiting Burrup