A declaration of community consultation should be a genuine commitment to listen to those you are consulting with. Consultation is about collaboration, engaging communities, hearing their voices, and finding solutions together.
Over the past eight years the WA Labor Government has turned “consultation” into little more than a box-ticking exercise, with outcomes decided before the first meeting is even scheduled.
From the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act to the South Coast Marine Park, firearm legislation, and Electoral Act reforms, West Australians made their concerns or objections clear. Yet time and again, the WA Labor Government pushed ahead with its preconceived plans, ignoring the very communities it claims to listen to and consult, and the outcome will directly impact.
The Illusion of Consultation
The current government might argue that they’ve done their due diligence, pointing to public meetings, submissions, and discussion papers. But real consultation is about being open, transparent and listening.
Let’s look at WA Labors pattern:
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act: Aboriginal groups, farmers and pastoralists raised concerns over the Act’s impracticality, cost, and lack of supporting resources. Despite the backlash, and a simple request by 29,714 people to defer it for 6 months, it was only repealed after months of public outcry.
- South Coast Marine Park: Commercial and recreational fishers and regional communities expressed genuine fears about its economic and environmental impacts, yet their voices were largely ignored, all in the name of “environmental protection”. The Labor Government still hasn’t produced an socio-economic report or shared any plans on how this new marine park can positively impact the south-west communities.
- Firearm Legislation: Sporting clubs, farmers, and small businesses felt sidelined when recent changes unfairly targeted law-abiding firearm owners without meaningful dialogue. A petition with 31,162 signatures was lodged in Parliament, but was swiftly ignored to proceed with the party agenda timeline for the reforms.
- Electoral Act Reforms: WA Labor steamrolled changes to the Electoral Act, removing regional representation in the Legislative Council and sparking widespread opposition in regional WA. Yet, the WA Labor Government pushed ahead with centralising power in metropolitan areas.
Each of these reforms had a clear agenda from the start, party interest first, kneecap regional WA and centralise power. Despite the government’s claim of consultation, West Australians are seeing through the BS and have overwhelmingly disagreed with the outcomes.
Real Consultation: A Lesson in Listening
True consultation is more than a process—it’s a partnership. Dear major parties here’s what genuine consultation looks like:
- Engage Early: Communities should be involved from the beginning, helping shape the goals and framework of reforms.
- Be Transparent: Clearly outline the purpose of the consultation, any constraints, and how feedback will influence the final decision.
- Respect Expertise: Listen to the people who live and work in these communities every day. Farmers, fishers, Aboriginal leaders, and small businesses are the real experts on the ground.
- Adapt: Consultation must be a two-way street. When the feedback highlights flaws in the plan, adjust it. Refusing to adapt undermines the entire process.
- Communicate Outcomes: Communities deserve to know how their feedback shaped the final decision, with clear explanations if compromises were made.
When consultation is genuine, it fosters trust, strengthens communities, and leads to better decisions that reflect the realities on the ground.
The WA Government Must Do Better
The WA Labor Government has failed to genuinely consult with the WA public for 8 years. Understand that consultation isn’t just a political formality—it’s the foundation of democracy. It’s time to move beyond the illusion of consultation and embrace a process that puts communities at the center of decision-making.
If elected, I’ll keep you informed on consultation opportunities and make sure your feedback and concerns are brought to the attention of Ministers and Department heads. Decisions must be shaped by the people they affect, not predetermined by a government unwilling to listen.
Western Australians deserve better than a government that goes through the motions. They deserve leadership that listens.