Call for First Domestic Violence Refuge in Warren–Blackwood
A formal petition led by Manjimup resident Jules Galliers is urging the State Government to fund and establish a 24/7 domestic violence refuge in the Warren–Blackwood region. The campaign highlights a critical service gap, with no local refuge currently available, forcing victim-survivors to travel hours for safety or rely on police transport.

Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the State Government's demersal fishing ban, citing severe strain on South West coastal towns as fishers flood into alternative regions. Eatts argues the policy was implemented without consultation and is overwhelming local infrastructure, while the Government maintains the ban is essential for protecting fish stocks.

A regional news retrospective by the South Western Times listed Warren–Blackwood MP Bevan Eatts’ criticism of the State Government as one of the most newsworthy moments of 2025. Eatts slammed the Government for failing to allocate any of a $14.8 million funding boost for family and domestic violence (FDV) accommodation to the South West, despite escalating need.

Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the WA Government’s abrupt decision to shut down demersal fishing in the West Coast bioregion, highlighting severe financial and mental health impacts on local fishers and small businesses. The State Government defended the ban as necessary to protect species like dhufish and snapper, though federal and local opposition figures have raised concerns about the timing, consultation, and scientific basis of the decision.

Despite a $139.8 million assistance package, sheep farmers impacted by the live sheep export phase-out have yet to receive direct financial support, with Senate Estimates revealing that funds have instead gone to departmental costs. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) admitted $33.9 million has been spent so far, including $2.435 million on its internal program administration, while farm businesses wait for aid.

The State Government has announced a $14.8 million boost to expand family and domestic violence (FDV) refuge accommodation in regional WA—excluding the South West. Despite overwhelming demand and multiple calls for support, no new refuges have been funded in the region, prompting criticism from local MPs and stakeholders.

Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the Cook Government in Parliament over a lack of suitable housing for essential regional workers, claiming it is undermining service delivery in key sectors like health, policing, and aged care. He cited cases like Boyup Brook, where local councils are forced to lease private housing to support staff due to State inaction. Minister John Carey responded by defending the Government’s record and blaming past Liberal-National decisions.

Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has called for urgent investment in family violence services across regional WA, highlighting the lack of local crisis refuges as a life-threatening gap for vulnerable women and children. He is urging the State Government to deliver regionally based services, including a local refuge and dedicated outreach teams, to reduce reliance on overstretched police and external services.

The Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC) held its 13th Annual General Meeting on October 28, celebrating its longstanding role in uniting and promoting producers across the Southern Forests. The meeting highlighted leadership changes, community engagement, and ongoing efforts to position the region as a global hub for sustainable agriculture and culinary tourism.

Warren–Blackwood MP Bevan Eatts has criticised the State Government’s water management in Parliament, calling it a “systemic failure” that disproportionately affects regional communities. He highlighted stalled developments across his electorate due to inadequate water infrastructure and urged immediate investment. Water Minister Don Punch rejected the criticism, stating that the Government was investing significantly and working on projects like Greenland Estate.

WA Shadow Minister for Aged Care and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has strongly criticised the Federal Government’s new Support at Home program, warning it could devastate aged care services in regional areas. The program, launching 1 November, replaces two existing initiatives and introduces cost-sharing and eligibility assessments, aiming to enhance in-home support. However, Eatts argues the model is ill-suited to regional WA due to geographic and workforce challenges.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, joined by Vasse MLA Libby Mettam and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts, toured the South West to highlight what they call inadequate State Government support for booming tourism towns like Margaret River. During the visit, the Opposition criticised Labor for failing to match service investment with the region’s rapid growth, citing strained health, education, and infrastructure systems.

The annual Our Patch event brought together Year 6 students from across the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River to present environmental science projects developed through Nature Conservation’s in-school program. Held at the Margaret River HEART, the event highlighted innovative student efforts in conservation, drawing praise from local leaders including MLA Bevan Eatts.

The WA Government has not confirmed whether it will continue funding the Principal Chaplaincy Program beyond 2025, despite significant reliance by regional school leaders. Shadow Education Minister Liam Staltari and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts have criticised the lack of clarity, urging the State to guarantee the program's future as principals face growing pressure.

Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the WA Government for longstanding neglect of school infrastructure across his electorate, highlighting serious mould issues, overcrowding, underfunding, and inadequate facilities in multiple regional schools. Despite confirmed health concerns and repeated requests, Education Minister Tony Buti has not committed to visiting the affected sites this year.

Shadow Minister for Aged Care and Warren–Blackwood MLA Bevan Eatts has criticised the WA Government’s handling of the aged care system, citing dangerous delays and lack of regional services. He highlighted a case in Manjimup where an elderly woman waited over five months for an aged care assessment, leaving her husband without support. Eatts has proposed several reforms to address the crisis, while the State Government defended its efforts.

Crisis accommodation services in Augusta–Margaret River are at breaking point, with growing demand overwhelming shelters in nearby Busselton and Bunbury. Social workers and community leaders are urging the State Government to treat Margaret River as a standalone hub, with calls for a dedicated local women’s refuge intensifying.

Families in Augusta, Margaret River, Dunsborough, and Busselton are struggling to find housing during relationship breakdowns, with the shortage of rentals forcing some to relocate far from home. Crisis accommodation remains limited, and local leaders warn that the “face of homelessness” now includes people experiencing housing insecurity for the first time. Calls for greater State Government action have intensified.

Health leaders and local MPs have raised urgent concerns about the South West’s hospital network following record ambulance ramping in July, with Bunbury Regional Hospital the worst affected. The Australian Medical Association WA warns the system is “in distress” as patient transfers from Margaret River and Augusta face growing delays. Despite a $471 million redevelopment of Bunbury Hospital, critics say the investment will not meet demand and is leaving smaller hospitals under-resourced.

Following the March state election loss in Warren–Blackwood, criticism has emerged over Labor’s minimal investment and campaign presence in the electorate. Despite receiving more primary votes, former MP Jane Kelsbie lost the seat to Nationals WA’s Bevan Eatts due to conservative preference flows. Labor officials, including party director Ellie Whitaker, have remained silent on the campaign’s shortcomings.

Local medical professionals and the AMA have raised serious concerns about Bunbury Hospital’s capacity and the broader South West health system, citing critical underinvestment and ongoing ambulance ramping issues. Despite a planned $471 million redevelopment, doctors argue the situation remains dire and investment in surrounding hospitals like Margaret River is lacking.

Bevan Eatts, MLA for Warren–Blackwood, has criticised the State Government for withholding the business case and master plan for the redevelopment of Margaret River Hospital. Despite raising the issue in Parliament and highlighting the region's growth pressures, the Government has not committed to a release timeline or responded publicly.

Local leaders in Augusta‑Margaret River, including the Margaret River Senior High School board chair and MLA Bevan Eatts, have called on WA’s new Education Minister, Sabine Winton, to tour the region's high schools. The invitation aims to give the minister first‑hand insight into challenges and infrastructure limitations faced by the schools.

WA Labor’s portrayal of conditions at Margaret River Senior High School has come under renewed scrutiny after reports surfaced of students lacking access to basic necessities—such as food and water—during the school day. Critics argue these incidents reflect deeper issues including overcrowding and neglect by the Education Minister, prompting calls from local representatives for urgent action.

Bevan Eatts, the newly elected Nationals MP for Warren-Blackwood, expressed shock upon learning that volunteers in Pemberton must raise $300,000 to replace an ageing ambulance. He criticized the expectation that regional volunteers should fundraise for essential equipment, highlighting the strain on already overburdened community members. Eatts called for increased government support to ensure that vital emergency services in rural areas are adequately funded and not reliant on local fundraising efforts

State bushfire crews will resume prescribed burning and fire load management after accepting a new pay offer, ending recent industrial action. The agreement was welcomed by Bevan Eatts MLA, who had raised concerns over its impact on 150 burns and is advocating for a broader regional fire strategy.

The Nationals have claimed victory in the WA regional seats of Albany and Warren-Blackwood.

Scott Leary (Albany) and Bevan Eatts (Warren-Blackwood) both ousted a sitting Labor member.