Jess Beckerling’s February Update

Plunging into the new year on many fronts – for environment, for Country, for abuse survivors, and generally for a safer and more just society

By Hon Jess Beckerling MLC

It’s difficult to comprehend the escalation of violence we’re seeing across WA, Australia and the world right now. Our work in the Greens movement to advance peace, nonviolence and social justice is more important than ever before.

In just a matter of weeks, here in Boorloo Perth, we’ve had an attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally and a young man arrested allegedly planning a major attack on public buildings including WA Parliament House, police headquarters and Muslim places of worship. These incidents are symptoms of a deeper problem in our society and we need to address them as such. It was despicable of Pauline Hanson to declare this month that there are no good Muslims – and deeply disturbing that her Party is polling at record levels across the continent.

This needs to be a wake-up call for all of us. We are not immune to the rise of the extreme right here in WA, and we must redouble our efforts to articulate our vision for a fairer society. I am working on a series of community conversations to bring people together and co-develop the solutions we need to be offering. I’ll keep you all updated as this progresses.

ALCOA EXEMPTION ORDER – REPORTED BREACHES

I have now submitted three suspected breaches of Alcoa's Exemption Order to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) for investigation.

All three were found within 3 km of each other during just 10 hours of field work — which raises a serious and pressing question: how many more breaches are out there, and what on earth is going on with the compliance framework? 

As soon as a single breach is confirmed (and I am confident one will be) Alcoa's Exemption Order will immediately cease to have effect. That means the company would be legally required to stop all clearing and mining within areas currently under EPA assessment, or face breaches of the Environmental Protection Act.

Opposition to Alcoa's mining in the Northern Jarrah Forest has grown enormously over the past few months. It seems not a week goes by without a new scandal and the Premier is under increasing pressure to act. Please join us at the March for Forests on Sunday 22 March at 10am at Forrest Place.

If you can't make it on the day, please sign the petition calling on the WA Government to protect the Northern Jarrah Forests.

IN THE PARLIAMENT

The first sitting week of 2026 was deeply significant, particularly for survivors of child sexual abuse.  

The Civil Liabilities Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse Action) Bill 2025 was first on the order of business – and what we were presented with by the Cook Labor Government was woefully inadequate.

The Bill failed to fix the problem created by a High Court decision in November 2024, as had been promised – leaving thousands of survivors without a genuine pathway to justice. Rather than accepting that outcome, my policy advisor Georgia Beardman and I undertook a deep dive into the issues: engaging extensively with legal experts, advocacy organisations and survivor groups, and working to widen the Bill's scope through amendments.

When Labor threatened to pull the Bill entirely if those amendments succeeded, we worked across the Parliament, securing support from the opposition and crossbench to refer it to a committee inquiry.

This was a very important step. It keeps the door open for proper reform that gives all survivors of institutional child sexual abuse a real path to justice, and strengthens protections for children now and into the future.

I am now sitting on the committee inquiry, with thanks to Tim Clifford for his willingness to allow me to sub in.

 IN THE MEDIA

Key mainstream and social media coverage focused on the Alcoa Exemption Order breaches and the Civil Liabilities Amendment Bill – including multiple TV, radio and digital stories. Both topics were among the top ABC stories on the first day back for Parliament. 

• Reported breaches of Alcoa’s Exemption Order
  • ABC News coverage of my reported breaches from December 2025.
  • ABC News coverage of my reported breaches from February 2026.
  • WA Today article on Alcoa’s alleged WA tree clearing breaches.
• Alcoa’s unlawful mining for 15 years
  • The Guardian article about the document which reveals the Australia-US minerals deal that underpinned the decision to allow Alcoa to keep clearing in the NFJ.
  • WA Today article about Alcoa’s $55 million “fine” for clearing northern jarrah forest without approvals.
• Civil Liabilities Bill
  • ABC News article on the Civil Liabilities Bill sent to committee in the first sitting week.
• Good Character Defence
  • Channel Nine News coverage on the push to remove good character references in sentencing.

IN THE COMMUNITY

• Kinjarling Keys
  • I was delighted to attend the official launch of Kinjarling Keys: a community project where a restored piano will travel around Kinjarling Albany throughout 2026, inviting people to stop, play and connect.
• Kinjarling Albany Pride Fair Day
  • Thanks to Nelly and our wonderful volunteers for representing our office and flying the flag with such warmth and pride.
• Invasion Day Healing BBQ
  • A community gathering focused on healing, connection and solidarity. It was a privilege to be there.
• Second Weekend for Country
  • An important gathering for the Northern Jarrah Forest movement: walking in the forest, connecting new people to the campaign, reflecting and making plans for the year.
• Stop Alcoa Snap Action at Parliament House
  • Forest defenders rallied outside Parliament House in a powerful snap action calling on the Government to stop Alcoa's destructive clearing of the Northern Jarrah Forest.
• Tabling the Yakamia Petition
  • Bringing community voices into the Parliament.
• SGARs / Rodenticides Campaign
  • Supporting Poppy Mahon's campaign to protect wildlife from lethal rat baits. You can attend the upcoming event – Protecting wildlife from lethal rat baits, sign the open letter to Ministers Watt and Collins, and put in a Submission to the APVMA before 16 March.
• Nanarup Desalination Plant
  • Attended a community meeting about Water Corporation's plans to build a desal plant at Nanarup, and met with locals to discuss their opposition and how to persuade the Government to choose a site with lower social and environmental impacts.
• Take Back the Track
  • I couldn't attend but thanks to Georgia for being there.
• Ochre Ribbon Day
  • I couldn't attend but thanks to Sophie for representing our team.

 As always, the months have been full of conversations, gatherings and meetings that remind me why this work matters. The commitment and care of people across WA working for social justice and environmental protection continues to be a genuine source of strength.

 TEAM JESS

It has been a brilliant start to the year for the team. A highlight was our Nanga Bush Camp Planning Week – a dedicated week to come together, reflect and set our direction for 2026.

We also held our second Joint Office Meeting (JOM) with all four WA Greens MLC teams, gathering in person for a full day of planning and strategising – always an energising and inspiring day!

And finally, a very warm welcome to Tina, who has recently joined us as a volunteer based in our Kinjarling Albany electorate office. We are so glad to have you on board!

Huge thanks as always to our members, supporters and community allies.
There is so much important work to do in 2026 – for forests, for survivors, for Country, and for a safer and more just society. I am so glad to be doing it alongside all of you.

Header photo: Jess Beckerling MLC and Uncle Hedley Heywood at the Invasion Day Community BBQ.