IN THE NEWS.

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No Live Export Phase-Out Support Yet for Sheep Farmers

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.

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South West Omitted from $14.8M FDV Refuge Expansion

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.

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Eatts claims shire forced to house police and medical staff in Parliament debate slamming Government housing

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.

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Call for Urgent Family Violence Support in Regional WA

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.

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Southern Forest Food Council Celebrates 13 Years of Working in the Region

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.

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Regional Water Infrastructure Criticised by Bevan Eatts MLA

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.

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Aged Care Angst

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.

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Labor 'ignoring' South West

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.

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Our Patch Program Showcases Student-Led Environmental Science Projects

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.

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Future of Principal Chaplaincy Program in Doubt Amid Government Silence

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.

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Eatts Slams Government Over Neglect of Regional School Infrastructure

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.

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In the News: 'Dangerous' aged-care delays

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.

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In the News: Crisis accommodation capacity now dire as population and concerns skyrocket across Augusta-Margaret River

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.

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In the News: Dark side of housing crisis adding pressure on family breakdowns in Margaret River region

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.

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In the News: Forces demand action on South West health ‘system in distress’

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.

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In the News: Labor critics circle on March Warren-Blackwood election loss as ‘preventable’

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.

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In the News: Fears Bunbury Hospital ‘dangerously busy’ as major redevelopment still years away

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.

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In the News: No response over call for hospital business case transparency

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.

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In the News: New Education Minister Sabine Winton called upon to visit Margaret River to tour high school’s ‘reality’

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.

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In the News: Labor claims on Margaret River Senior High School under fire yet again as students go begging

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.

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