2026-07-02
Pointing out the influence of the fossil fuel and mining industries over this Labor Government, taking on One Nation and presenting to the AUKUS Public Inquiry
By Hon Sophie McNeill, MLC
June has been a big month with three weeks of Parliament including Budget Estimates hearings, our response to the rise of One Nation in the polls, speaking at the AUKUS inquiry and an opportunity to engage with the community in the Albany area.
Parliament and Budget Estimates
We had a big win in the June sittings of Parliament by successfully moving an amendment to secure Seismic Blasting in an inquiry related to the government’s demersal fishing ban. This is a massive win for the Greens and for the community stakeholders who have been pushing for this. I am really hopeful that we can use this to finally shine a light on the damaging impact that seismic blasting has on our precious marine life, and will help undermine the social license of gas companies in this state!
Our Greens parliamentary team interrogated Local Government (Miscellaneous Licences) Bill, which was introduced to overturn a Supreme Court decision that allowed regional councils to force mining companies to pay rates on the land that they utilise.
Unsurprisingly the Cook government teamed up with the opposition to pass this regressive bill, but we fought tooth and nail to expose the influence of the mining industry in our parliament and advocate for the people in these regions to get their fair share.
We have been very busy scrutinizing the Cook government’s most recent Budget. This is an important accountability mechanism that continues to reveal the influence that the fossil fuel and mining industries have over this Labor Government. We will continue to push for change and call out the government’s hypocrisy as they continue to support the interests of the wealthiest in this state over those who need it the most.
Taking on One Nation
Earlier this month we co-hosted a HUGE protest against Pauline Hanson’s event in Midland. The turn out was incredible with over 400 people turning up on a Wednesday night in Midland and staying on the side of the road for hours, including a large number of people who were attending their first protest.
Our protest completely shifted the media narrative on the night. Rather than the event being portrayed as Pauline riding high on the polling and making big announcements, all coverage focused on the protest and included our key Greens message “Hope Not Hate!’.
We have also called out the strategies and tactics that one nation is using in parliament and will continue to call out this party’s attempts to misrepresent their values to the community.
AUKUS inquiry
I was very fortunate to be invited to speak at the WA hearing of the national AUKUS inquiry that was held in Fremantle.
This is such an important issue that will have social and environmental impacts for decades to come, not to mention the terrible toll on human life that will result from the Cook Government’s obsession with turning WA into a supply chain for the US Military.
It was great to see and hear from so many passionate and informed locals who share our opposition to this project and the militarisation of our beautiful state. You can watch my full speech here.
Visiting the community in Albany
I had the pleasure of being able to engage with lots of different community members and groups at a number of events this month. Earlier in the month I visited Albany where Jess and her team were wonderful hosts for me, Jordon and Tim. I met so many amazing members and supporters who cared so deeply about Palestine, passionate about refugee rights and climate justice, who loved the chance to chat about our work. Thanks to everyone who took the time to come and have a chat!
Header photo: At a demonstration with the Asylum Seekers Action Group in Albany in June