2026-10-06
The Greens WA have slammed the publication last week of an openly fat-phobic and ableist article, and call on both its author and publisher the West Australian to issue an apology and undertake inclusivity awareness training.
The article, which was written by veteran WA journalist Ben Harvey and published in last week’s Sunday Times newspaper, complains about the presence of disabled people at this year’s Perth Royal Show and asserts that “half of them” attended with their carers paid for by the taxpayer.
Mr Harvey’s article also makes several fat-phobic comments openly ridiculing people’s appearance and participation in the Show.
As well as publishing an unreserved apology for the op-ed, the Greens are further calling on the West Australian to compel Mr Harvey and all staff involved in the decision to publish his piece to complete mandatory disability and inclusivity awareness training.
Mr Harvey has previously been under fire for expressing offensive views in his op-eds, including in 2022 when he also levelled slurs against attendees of the Royal Show.
Lines attributable to the Australian Greens disability spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John:
“Ben Harvey and The West owe people an apology.
“It is shameful to mock people simply for trying to enjoy themselves, including cruel comments about their bodies, their appearance and the mobility aids they use.
“People are doing it tough enough without being publicly shamed for spending a little of their hard-earned money on a day at the Perth Royal Show. In the middle of a cost-of-living, housing and climate crisis, people are still entitled to joy.
“Let me be absolutely clear: all disabled people have every right to be there.
“The suggestion that NDIS participants and their support workers shouldn’t attend the show is outrageous. They have every right to enjoy the school holidays, spend time with their family and participate in their community. Nobody should be made to feel ashamed or be ridiculed for their disability, their body, their mobility or the support they need.”
Lines attributable to the Greens (WA) disability spokesperson Tim Clifford MLC:
“I’m utterly disgusted by this pitiful excuse for journalism, which is extraordinarily harmful and hurtful to so many valued members of our community.
“In 2026, it should absolutely go without saying that disabled people and people of all sizes have the right to participate in our society without fear of being publicly shamed – by our state’s only newspaper, no less.
“Ben Harvey is an absolute embarrassment, and he must publicly apologise for this unprompted attack on some of our community’s most vulnerable.
“At a time when the NDIS is being systematically eviscerated by our governments, the last thing we need is a bully cosplaying as a second-rate journalist using his platform to undermine the supports that allow disabled people to lead full lives.
“The West Australian must also be held to account for publishing this harmful trash masquerading as journalism.
“I’m calling on the West Australian to compel Mr Harvey and everyone involved in the decision to publish his piece to undergo mandatory disability awareness training to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.”