The Leader of the Opposition in the Pilbara

It was a pleasure to welcome our next Prime Minister, the Hon. Peter Dutton to the Pilbara recently, where he engaged meaningfully with the Karratha community, toured local businesses, and visited major projects for Rio Tinto and Woodside, showcasing the region’s importance beyond mining.

Unlike the Prime Minister’s recent ONE hour visit to Geraldton, Mr. Dutton’s visit demonstrated genuine commitment to WA and its challenges. Leaders who take the time to engage strengthen our communities and secure our future.

Durack Electorate Redistribution

My electorate is changing again with the AEC having announced the final electorate boundaries. The redistribution has, sadly, meant that the shires of York, Toodyay and Northam will no longer be in Durack. However, I'm very much looking forward to welcoming back many of the areas that I previously proudly represented prior to the 2022 redistribution. in fact, Durack will now encompass 49 different local government authorities!

PM Albanese's Dangerous Misinformation Bill

This legislation presents a serious threat to Australians' freedom of speech. At a time when Australians are living in a cost-of-living crisis, it beggars belief that the Albanese government would think that this proposed bill would be a priority. If you ever need evidence of how out of touch this government is—and of their warped sense of priorities—you need look no further than this dangerous bill.

The Albanese Labor Government abandoned WA years ago

It's incredible just how out of touch this government is. It's quite clear that, since Labor was elected, life for the vast majority of Western Australian families has got harder, not easier. That's despite those opposite saying life would be easier and would be cheaper under them. Yet here we are again, with those opposite giving themselves an almighty big pat on the back for overseeing this cost-of-living disaster.

WA LIBERALS TO DELIVER ONCOLOGY SERVICES FOR GERALDTON

Libby Mettam MLA, WA Liberal Leader, Shadow Minister for Health

Tim Milnes, Liberal Candidate for Geraldton

Hon Melissa Price MP, Federal Member for Durack

WA LIBERALS TO DELIVER ONCOLOGY SERVICES FOR GERALDTON

A WA Liberal Government will deliver the $25 million radiation oncology service for Geraldton, finally giving the Midwest community access to local cancer treatment. “We will deliver $16 million out of our Regional Health Development Initiative to put an end to the games and give the Midwest community the cancer services they deserve,” said Libby Mettam, WA Liberal Leader. “A radiation oncology service for Geraldton has been a political football for too long. “Labor’s contempt for regional WA cannot be more obvious than when it comes to playing games with treatment for cancer patients.

According to the WA Government’s business case in 2019, the project was initially expected to cost $19 million, but due to Labor’s delays and inaction, the project is now forecast to cost $25 million. “Melissa Price delivered $9 million of critical Federal funding back in 2019, but WA Labor was too incompetent to deliver the project, which has seen costs increase,” said Ms Mettam. “Now state and federal Labor are bickering amongst themselves about who needs to make up the shortfall. “We will stop making excuses, live up to WA’s end of the bargain, and deliver Geraldton the radiation oncology services they so desperately deserve.” As identified in a letter from Federal Health Minister Mark Butler to WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, which was obtained through Questions on Notice, the business scope identified the need for a new building of just over one thousand square meters comprising the functional areas of: • Main entry area/reception; • Consultation space; • Simulation and Planning Room with Computed Tomography; • Linear Accelerator bunker and treatment spaces; • Patient holding and recovery areas; and • Staff and support areas.

“At the moment, Geraldton locals who need cancer radiation treatment have to travel to Perth,” said Tim Milnes, WA Liberal Candidate for Geraldton. “That means five hours each way in the car, or regular flights – either way that is far too expensive and is both emotionally and physically exhausting for both cancer patients and their families. “Fuel, overnight accommodation, missed work, and meals can add up, putting a significant financial burden on cancer patients and their families. “Geraldton is the third largest city in Western Australia – locals in the Midwest deserve access to this basic treatment,” said Mr Milnes.

"This is a fantastic outcome for Geraldton and the whole Midwest region,” said the Hon Melissa Price MP, Federal Member for Durack. “I am so proud to have been part of the Federal Liberal Government which promised and delivered the first part of this funding and am pleased that a WA Liberal Government will deliver the rest." “This funding commitment is the very least of what our region deserves. Labor's continuous political games with cancer patients in the Midwest is over.

“Roger Cook’s priorities are all wrong - while Perth gets a $13 billion train line, we don’t even have radiation oncology in the Midwest,” said Ms Mettam. “This will benefit patients from communities like Carnarvon, Shark Bay, Mount Magnet, Morawa and all those in-between who will now have better options for treatment closer to home. “Cancer patients respond to treatment and recover best when supported by a strong family network, but the distance from Geraldton to Perth separates families at the worst possible time. “As a Mum who grew up in Geraldton, I know the importance of getting good quality healthcare close to home.”

ENDS

Media Contacts:

Jackie Perry - 0427 587 395

Brendan Morris – 0458 473 38

Randolph Stow Young Writers Award

Lower Primary Prose Winner

Miss Jasmine Lois Perry

Geraldton Christian College

The Otters That Made a Big Difference

Once upon a time there lived an otter named Oscar who lived with his mum Olivia. What Oscar didn’t know is that he would soon have to leave, because Oliver the main male would be coming back to have babies with Olivia again.   

One day Olivia taught him how to catch food, Oscar was excited! His mum led him towards a shallower part of their inlet and dived down into the glistening water. He saw her tail swish through the depths of the inlet, floating on his back.

Olivia resurfaced after a minute or two with a clam in her paws. Oscar asked what it was, but Olivia did not answer. She dived under again and came back up with a pebble, giving it to him. Oscar was dumbfounded what was he meant to do with a pebble? 

 “You need to use this pebble to crack open the clam to eat the food inside. I will demonstrate.” she said, diving under again and coming back up with a different pebble in her paws “watch me”.

 She floated on her back with the clam on her belly and started smashing the rock on the shell. Oscar watched intently. Soon enough the shell cracked open, and Olivia gave it to him.

Oscar slurped it up in one gulp. “Now it's your go” she said, giving the other pebble to him. He copied her and ate the delicious meat inside.  

 

One day Oscar realised Olivia looked worried, he asked her why. She sighed, saying “I never wanted this day to come, but you’re going to have to leave soon. I must spend more time with your father so you can have little brothers and sisters.” 

 Oscar was confused, he had to leave his mum! All the memories he had made with her, would they all just …. fade away? 

  The next day his mum said in a shaky voice “you need to leave now” and burst into tears. She hugged him “goodbye my beautiful Oscar, I love you and I always will no matter what” Oscar hugged her with all his might then let go, he looked up at her with glistening eyes, “but where will I go?" he asked. His mum replied, “don't worry you'll know; it's embedded in your instincts”.

 Before he left, he made sure to put his favourite pebble in the pocket under his arm, leaving with a heavy heart. 

  

He followed his instincts all the way to a small ledge where he stopped for a rest. While sitting there he thought about all the memories he had made with his mum, like splashing water at each other with their tails, playing tag and catching fish!

 Oscar sighed, slipped off the ledge and into the water just follow your instincts he thought, shaking the water off his fur.  

He swam non-stop for the rest of the day, stopping at a large river that headed towards the ocean. He floated on his back next to a small bank and fell asleep.

 The next day Oscar’s eyes fluttered open and he spotted a berry bush near the shore. He turned over onto his belly and started swimming towards it. He thought he saw an animal lurking in the bushes but ignored it. He crawled up onto the bank and saw an animal with gleaming eyes, a bushy tail and stripy fur. 

 Oscar yelped, managing to dodge the hungry feline. Ack! He thought I forgot to be careful!

 He scolded himself, but then a thought came to his mind I could throw my pebble at him, that ought to do the trick! He threw it hard, hitting it on the forehead.

 It hissed and ran back through the brush with its tail and hair sticking up. Oscar lay there panting; grateful his mum had given him the pebble. He decided to name it Percy. It’ll be my companion for the rest of the trip. My best pebble friend. 

 

He kept swimming, nonstop for days on end, only stopping to rest. Soon enough he got to the ocean, his eyes were sparkling with amazement, its wonderful he thought.

 Resisting the urge to turn around and swim all the way home into his mum's embrace, he swam unwillingly into the moonlit waters of the ocean. 

 It was monstrous, larger than any lake he had ever seen. As he swam out towards the reef he heard a rustling sound. He gripped Percy firmly, to his surprise he saw another otter crawl out of the brush.

 Her fur was sleek and glistening in the moonlight, her eyes were emerald green. She was the most beautiful otter Oscar had ever seen. 

 He couldn’t speak. The beautiful otter spoke first “Hi, my name is Ollie,” she said in a cheery voice “what’s your name?”

 Oscar hesitated “uhhh m-my name i-is O-Oscar” he blushed. Was he meant to say something? “Where do you come from?” he said, “From the ocean silly!” Oscar dipped his head. “Do you want to go on an adventure with me?” “S-sure,” he said.  

 

Off they went, with Ollie leading the way and Oscar on her tail. They foraged for some berries; they were delicious! When they got back, Oscar started to feel something weird in his tummy.

 Oscar questioned himself, do I feel affection for her? Ollie said, “come on, it’s getting late, you can sleep next to me tonight if you have nowhere to go”.

 “Uh, sure, okay” He followed her towards a large hole in a small bank. Oscar scrambled up onto the bank as Ollie slid gracefully up. “Hurry up slow poke!” she said in her usual cheery voice.

 “I’m coming,” said Oscar. The large den was unfamiliar to him, but he could tell that Ollie had been living here for a while now. She went straight towards a little nook in the corner and curled up. She yawned “you can sleep over there” she murmured, pointing towards another larger nook.

 Oscar fell asleep straight away. 

 

The next day Oscar woke up, but he could not see Ollie anywhere. I slept in! he thought I've never slept in!  He scrambled out of the nook and went to look for her.

 Oscar found Ollie under a tree with flowers in her paws, wow they’re beautiful he thought what can I give to her? he realised with a jolt. Then, for some reason he started swimming towards her. He couldn’t stop himself, it just felt like the right thing to do.

 Before he knew it, he was next to her. He felt an instinct to reach out and grab her hand. It felt soft.

 They floated together, bobbing up and down with the waves.  He knew then that they were meant to be together. And from that day on they were. Every single day.

 

There we were, floating on our backs holding hands and showing other otters what love truly is” Oscar said, beaming down at his little children. They were in their family den back at the inlet, where he spent his childhood playing with his mum.

 “And that’s why otters now have favourite pebbles and always float together, holding hands” he said. “Together, your Mum and I made a big difference.”

 

The End

Raise Our Voice, from the Kimberley to Canberra

The Raise Our Voice campaign works to increase the number of young women and gender diverse voices from all backgrounds who lead conversations in politics, domestic policy and foreign policy. This year it was my privilege to read out a speech from 16 year old Lei Yuen, who represents the Kimberley in Western Australia's Youth Parliament 2024. Lei is to be commended for her speech, where she highlighted the the urgent need to end sexual harassment and violence in our communities.

National Ag rally - Keep the Sheep

Today I spoke in the House about how proud I am to have attended yesterday's Keep the Sheep Rally in Canberra. Thank you to Peter Dutton for showing our WA sheep producers, shearers, transporters, livestock agents and stock feeders the respect they deserve and that they all matter. We are going to fight for this generation of WA farmers, and the next, and the next.

Developing Northern Australia Conference 2024

The Hon Melissa Price MP

Developing the North Strategically, with Security, Liveability & Investment

 

I’m pleased to be speaking here today as the Federal Member for Durack and as a proud representative of northern Western Australia.  

I think that you would all agree that when the North succeeds so does the rest of our nation and it’s hard to think of a better place to make that point than right here in the Pilbara.

 

It’s hard to believe that we gather here almost 10 years since the release of the Developing Northern Australia White Paper.

This was a landmark document that was released by the then Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss, and Minister for Trade and Investment, Andrew Robb.

I believe this was the first time that the Federal Government took the North of Australia seriously and I was proud to be part of that team.

But of course, it’s not just a glossy document. It sets out a framework for policies to make the most of Northern Australia, many of which were actioned during the 10 years of a Coalition government.

For example, the establishment of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, we now know as NAIF, which provides concessional loans for the development of infrastructure projects.

The $5 billion dollars we legislated for has already supported 32 projects across Northern Australia, including 9 here in Western Australia.

 

I was pleased to read yesterday morning about Minister Madeline King’s announcement for a NAIF Loan of $150 million to De Grey’s gold mine project here in the Pilbara.

I understand a review of NAIF is now underway and I will be following that closely to ensure any amendments to the scheme are purely based on the North’s best interests and not ideological positions.

 

We also committed billions of dollars towards improving public infrastructure in northern Australia.

This included the Northern Australia Roads Program which has funded 20 projects, including upgrades to the Flinders Highway, the Arnhem Highway and the Great Northern Highway.

There was also a $100 million investment in the Northern Australia Beef Roads Program, that has particularly benefited Queenslanders.

We also introduced Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) across much of the North, with the Pilbara, East Kimberley and Far North Queensland leading the way. A skilled workforce is crucial to develop our north, and our immigration system simply isn’t targeted or nimble enough to be fit for our purposes.

So many good initiatives, but there is still much to do and that brings me to the focus of my presentation.

Developing the North Strategically - Security, Liveability and Investment. If all governments could focus on these three elements we could successfully develop the north, rather than just talking about developing the north.

In terms of security, I thought it important to highlight one simple sentence from the 2015 White Paper:

“Northern Australia is the frontline for our nation’s defence, border protection and biosecurity.”

Since 2015, we have moved into a period of greater global uncertainty and regional competition. In fact, we are increasingly told that we are living in the most dangerous time since the second world war.

 

It follows that our defence policy must be adjusted to support a greater and more secure presence in northern Australia.

This means working with partners like the United States, but as a former Minister for Defence Industry, I can say it must also include greater investments in sovereign capability and infrastructure.

Upgrading bases like RAAF Base Curtin and RAAF Base Learmonth, which are located here in Durack, is a good start. The Coalition committed to that in the 2016 Defence White Paper.  Encouraging our close neighbours to take advantage of this strategic infrastructure will also benefit the north.

But hostile nations aren’t the only concern either, we also must combat the efforts of people smugglers.

Maintaining Operation Sovereign Borders is critical to our border protection and preventing widespread illegal maritime arrivals. While offshore processing remains Commonwealth policy, we need to remain vigilant.

Unfortunately, under the current Government aerial surveillance hours have fallen by 20 per cent and maritime patrol days have decreased by 12 per cent.

Earlier this year, I outlined the necessity of increasing maritime surveillance following the fourth illegal boat arrival along the WA coast in just six months. Border Force also recently confirmed four illegal fishing vessels were found by local fishermen in the mangroves near Broome.

Boats reaching our shores present significant threats to northern Australia. Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease across Indonesia should highlight the need to properly monitor our waters.

Just think of the biosecurity disaster that disease would bring to our cattle industries for example.

 

Now to the north’s liveability. Ensuring northern Australia is an attractive place to live is fundamental to its future.

This means addressing cost of living pressures which are even higher in Northern Australia. Here in Karratha the median rental price for a two-bedroom home is around $1,100 per week.

It also means better access to services for locals.

You shouldn’t have to fly to Perth or Darwin or Brisbane for every doctor’s appointment that requires more than a prescription of antibiotics or a band aid.

Part of the problem is simply getting the workers here or losing the ones we have.

We need to be training our own local workforce in the regions because we know too often when students leave for the city to study, they never come back.  

That is why I am a big supporter of regional university centres and have welcomed their expansion including under the current Federal Government.

We have a local example of our own with the Pilbara Kimberley Universities Centre, of which I am proudly a foundation board member. We are well on our way to creating our own unique Pilbara School of Mines. I’ll let Susan Grylls, the CEO, further explain the success of this model tomorrow.

 

Enhancing liveability also means investing in important social infrastructure like this beautiful Red Earth Arts Precinct.

Along with the City of Karratha, I was thrilled to announce $10 million dollars from the Coalition Government towards this important project. 

I’m sure we all understand that crime also impacts the North’s liveability.  

High crime rates have been front of mind during the recent Northern Territory campaign and also the upcoming Queensland campaign. Unfortunately Townsville has been featuring in the media recently for the wrong reasons.

We are not immune from this issue in Western Australia either. In fact, 2023-24 was the worst year on record in regional WA for crime, with the Kimberley topping the list.

People not feeling safe in their homes and communities acts as a significant deterrent to staying in the North.

I’ve long called for more investment in diversionary programs for at risk youth.

I also believe targeted approaches such as mandatory income management and alcohol restrictions should be enforced where appropriate.

 

Given that the next session is “mining and beyond”, I want to touch on touch on investment certainty in our resources sector.  

During the last sitting of Parliament, I gave a speech about the several fundamental factors that make us uncompetitive compared to foreign markets.

Our corporate tax rate is much higher than the OECD average.

Our energy costs are on the rise.

Our industrial relations system is far too complicated and costly.

The level of red and green tape makes it difficult to do business and the approvals process is far too long.

Addressing the fundamentals will be the focus of a Dutton led Coalition Government.

 

Unfortunately, recent events surrounding the rejection of the $1billion Regis gold mine, show that the current Federal Government is only adding to investor uncertainty.

Regis Resources satisfied every state government and federal government hurdle possible to proceed with a gold mine project near Blayney, in central west New South Wales.

The Minister rejected the project based on Indigenous heritage considerations, even though it had the support of the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council, the representative Indigenous voice for the region.

Here in WA, we know the ill thought out proposed Aboriginal Heritage laws would have caused complete chaos amongst land owners and Indigenous bodies. Federally, we should learn from this debacle and create guard rails around the timeliness of claims and applicant’s legitimacy.

The Government is also legislating further green tape with the creation of a Federal Environmental Protection Agency and through their Nature Positive Plan. What this constitutes is a duplication of environmental approval processes that already exist at the state level.

We need to cut approval times and I am pleased to say that is what the Shadow Environment Minister, the Hon Jonathon Duniam, has committed to. I look forward to joining him back in the Pilbara next week as we meet with local industry.

Part of our plan is to cease the $8.3 million dollars in Commonwealth funding for the Environmental Defenders Office.  

The EDO was recently found by a Federal Court Judge to have confected evidence in a legal challenge regarding Santos’ Barossa gas project. Their work has turbocharged economy-stifling activities across Australia since its funding injection.

As a former Environment Minister myself, I support the protection of our environment, and interested parties’ right to object to a project. 

However, I do not support Australian taxpayers funding activist legal challenges that are detrimental to the development of local jobs and to the national bottom line.

 

I’ll conclude by repeating the point I made at the beginning. When the North succeeds so does the rest of the nation.

Unfortunately, it is a point that must be constantly made, as we are often forgotten about up here and the wealth generation our region is responsible for is often taken for granted.

That means we must work extra hard to ensure the right policy settings are implemented.

But we must be clear eyed about how decisions are made by Government. At a Federal level, the majority of Cabinet members are city based politicians.  A Treasurer will be grateful for the mining royalties but I doubt he or she thinks about the individuals who help to create the wealth here in the north.

On that note I thank you all for your efforts and I look forward to working with you to continue our battle for better outcomes for northern Australia.

*Speech at the Developing Northern Australia Conference, held in Karratha on 27 August 2024*

The Hon Melissa Price MP

Federal Member for Durack

Opposition Whip

Durack Agricultural Shows - An invitation to the PM

This morning I spoke to the House about the many fabulous Durack Agricultural Shows on at the moment. I also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Albanese to come to Dowerin next week for their Machinery Field Days.

I hope he can attend and face the damage he has done, however I would caution him not to make any poor jokes about live export like he did the other night at the AgriFutures event. Unsurprisingly, jests about destroying people's livelihoods will not go down too well in Dowerin.

My prediction is that the Labor tent at Dowerin is going to be a very lonely, sad place.

100 years of the amazing Country Womens Association 🥰

2024 marks 100 years of the Country Women's Association in WA—a fantastic milestone for a fantastic organisation. There are over two dozen CWA branches in my electorate of Durack, which provide a space for women to come together, to share stories, to fight and to advocate for our regional communities and to share the odd recipe. Happy 100th birthday CWA!

Durack small businesses are at breaking point

Australia's small business sector is at breaking point. They're at breaking point because of the economic incompetence of the Albanese Labor Government and because of their cost-of-living crisis. Small businesses are not immune to higher rents, higher energy bills, higher prices for goods and, of course, the dozen interest rate rises that have occurred under this government.

Community Sports Infrastructure

The Coalition are dedicated to improving regional sporting infrastructure. Last year we commited to deliver $250 million towards improving facilities for women and girls. Just days after our announcement, Labor announced a program of their own.

However, here we are, 12 months after Labor's announcements, with nothing to show for it. Community sporting organisations have been left in limbo. This delay makes clear that this was simply more policy on the run by this government and that those opposite, once again, care more about the announcement than the delivery.

Future Made in Australia Bill 2024

This bill is full of the normal smoke and mirrors from the Albanese Labor Government, who now have another clever slogan, with their "Future Made in Australia." Bill.

How could anyone possibly be opposed to such proposed laws that sound so wonderful and so positive, like they're really trying to solve a problem?

Well, unfortunately, again and again, the substance and the results of Labor's legislation fails to live up to the promise of these titles. Those opposite are consistent, if nothing else.

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