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Warren–Blackwood Budget Estimates · 19 May 2026

Zero refuges.
Still.

There is not a single family and domestic violence refuge anywhere in Warren–Blackwood — from Denmark to Margaret River. Bevan has been raising this in Parliament since November 2025. This week, the government's response to his Budget Estimates question was that women here should simply drive to the nearest one.

"I understand that the member is complaining that women in his electorate have to drive one hour to access a service. In a state such as Western Australia, we have long driving times because we are so big."

Minister for Prevention of Family & Domestic Violence · Budget Estimates · 19 May 2026
After you submit
What Bevan does with
every submission.
1
Bevan reads it
Not a staff member. Not an auto-response. Bevan reads every submission himself and replies personally.
2
It goes on the record
With your permission, your story becomes part of the evidence Bevan takes to the minister, into Parliament, and to the media. You choose how it's used.
3
You hear back
Bevan sends one monthly update — not a newsletter, a real message — on what happened in Parliament that month and what's coming next. You can opt out any time.
BE

"When I next stand in the chamber on this issue, I want to be able to say: since the Budget Estimates hearing on 19 May, I have received submissions from across Warren–Blackwood. Here are three of them. That is what your submission makes possible."

Bevan Eatts MLA · Member for Warren–Blackwood

What happened at Estimates this week

On Tuesday 19 May, Bevan questioned the minister at Budget Estimates about why Warren–Blackwood was again excluded — this time from five new refuges in the 2026–27 Budget.

A business plan has been completed. The cost is costed at $1–1.5 million per year. Community organisations have expressed willingness to operate it. The shires want it. The WA Police Union has written in formal support.

The minister's response was that Warren–Blackwood is "not missing out" because WA is a large state and women can drive to the nearest service.

The nearest refuge is in Busselton. That is a 200km drive from Manjimup. For a woman with no car, no money, and children, in the middle of a crisis.

"I want it named, funded and delivered. That means a line item — a location, a dollar figure and an opening date. That line item does not exist in this year's budget."

Bevan Eatts MLA · Budget Reply Speech · May 2026
Six publications · six months · one story
Manj. Bdgtn Times EATTS PUSHES
Denmark Bulletin LACK OF SHELTERS SLAMMED
South Western Times DV SUPPORT bypasses SW
Bunbury Herald PUNCH QUIET ON SW REFUGE
Manj. Bdgtn Times CALLS GROW LOUD
AMR Times FAIR SHARE QUESTIONED
Albany Advertiser MINISTERS dismiss MP'S CLAIM
Manj. Bdgtn Times EATTS STILL PUSHING
160+ days. Every regional paper said it. The government kept saying no.
Six months of coverage
Every regional paper told the same story.
The government kept saying no.
Nov2025
Manjimup Bridgetown Times
Eatts Pushes for Crisis Refuge
Bevan raises the absence of a refuge in Warren–Blackwood for the first time publicly. "If you live in Manjimup, Denmark or Margaret River and you're trying to escape family violence, there is nowhere safe to go."
Nov2025
Denmark Bulletin
Lack of Shelters Slammed — MLA Calls Out Lack of DV Support
Coverage spreads beyond Manjimup. The statistics: 47,000 assault victims in WA in 2024, FDV-related homicides at 40% of all killings. "These are warning signs happening on this Government's watch."
Dec2025
South Western Times · Bunbury Herald · Busselton Dunsborough Times
DV Support Bypasses South West
The $109.9m state package is announced — Albany, Broome, Midland funded. Warren–Blackwood: nothing. Bevan asks Premier Cook directly in Question Time to commit to a refuge within 12 months. The Premier does not commit. Bunbury MLA Don Punch declines to say whether he is fighting for more.
Dec2025
Manjimup Bridgetown Times
Marching to Change Culture
The Gulyara Aboriginal Corporation leads the inaugural Walk Around the Block in Manjimup during 16 Days in WA. The march highlights the absence of a refuge. Community advocacy formally begins.
Jan2026
Manjimup Bridgetown Times
Calls Grow Loud for DV Refuge
A formal petition is filed in the Legislative Council by advocate Jules Galliers, facilitated by Julie Freeman MLC. "Police officers in Warren–Blackwood are regularly undertaking seven-hour round trips to transport victims to safety."
May2026
Augusta Margaret River Times
Fair Share Questioned — Shire President Shines Light on Budget Misses
The 2026–27 Budget lands. Still no refuge funding for Warren–Blackwood. "There is not a single refuge from Denmark to Margaret River for women and children escaping family and domestic violence. In a State as wealthy as Western Australia, that is simply unacceptable."
May2026
Albany Advertiser · Manjimup Bridgetown Times
Ministers Dismiss MP's Claim That Region Lacks FDV Refuges
Bevan raises the issue in Parliament for the second time in 160 days. The government's response: Ministers say other measures are "ongoing." The Police Minister says funding "has never been higher." No commitment to a refuge is made. The business plan — costed at $1–1.5m per year — sits unanswered.