Voices for Forrest - electorate

05/03/2026

The WA Government is thinking about seriously limiting our right to protest.
It's just not convenient for them to have to listen to all of us banging on about essentials like clean water, clean air, better healthcare and democratic integrity.
❗️Click here to write to your MP: https://australiandemocracy.org.au/email-mp-protest-wa-0226?utm_medium=email&utm_source=raisely&utm_content=Email%20MP%20-%20WA%20protest%20laws%200326&utm_term=da49c407-0735-4b65-8acd-b0deb26cc37d

From the Australian Democratic Network:

"The right to protest is under threat in Western Australia. Two new laws impacting protest rights could limit assembly, participation, and speech in this state.

The new “Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill” has the stated aim of combatting violent extremism – but the details of the reform expose it as an attack on fundamental democratic rights.

Meanwhile, the government has signalled it will seek to introduce “post and boast” laws affecting the sharing of protest content, despite a Labor-controlled Parliamentary committee recommending these provisions be removed from that Bill.

* Email your MP * calling for the Public Order Bill to face a full inquiry with proper community consultation and for the committee's post and boast recommendations to be introduced in full.

Amendments that threaten the right to protest contained in the Public Order Bill include:

Expanded police powers to refuse protest permits, including for protests directed at foreign governments

Restrictions on speech that “might” happen (as opposed to existing hate speech laws that criminalise offences that have actually happened)

Restrictions on mask wearing that are broad and subjective to individual police interpretation

Many people are feeling fear and distress following the attempted terror attack on an Invasion Day rally in Perth last month, and the antisemitic terror attack in Bondi in December. In a healthy democracy, governments have a responsibility to address hatred and violence. But attacking protest rights does nothing to tackle racism.

Extremism, racism, and hate speech are serious and complex issues that demand thoughtful, evidence-based responses – not knee jerk legislation that clamps down on civil rights.

It’s crucial that this Bill is sent to a parliamentary inquiry, allowing expert and community consultation and the opportunity to remove the anti-protest provisions. We’ve set up a simple tool to enable you to email your MP, calling for this inquiry.

This new Bill comes off the back of another recent attempt to criminalise protest behaviour in the form of the “post and boast” laws. Thanks to those of you who engaged in advocacy around these laws, pushing for an inquiry and making submissions in defence of protest rights.

The inquiry handed down its report in early November and recommended that the protest-related provisions be removed from the bill – a significant win. Now, the government is considering whether to adopt the committee's recommendations.

That's why in the email tool, we’ve included the ask that the committee’s recommendations be adopted in full.

The right to protest is a sign of a healthy democracy; it should be strengthened, not criminalised.

Thanks for joining us in speaking out for protest rights,

05/03/2026

Dont miss the Busselton Multicultural Festival! Happening on the Busselton foreshore on Sunday 15 March, from 10am to 2pm, celebrating Busselton people and cultures in all our beautiful diversity. Enjoy international cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and performances by bands and traditional dancers with over 14 different nationalities.
Event link in comments - see you there! 🌏🎶💃

27/02/2026

Tomorrow at 10 in Bunbury: a good opportunity to check how your local representative is doing 🧐

My first community town hall meeting for the year will be held on Saturday 28 February at the Carey Park Scout Hall on Wisbey Street beginning at 10am.

I really value these meetings and the community members who attend them. These conversation help me be a better representative for our community by making sure I hear directly from the community ideas, concerns and visions for the future of Bunbury.

Agenda items for these meeting are suggested by members of my community reference group. If there are topics you would like to see discussed at one of my meetings, find out more about my community reference group by visiting https://proudlybunbury.com.au/crg/, and put forward your ideas.

To register to attend, visit https://proudlybunbury.com.au/news/events/

By working together, we can make Bunbury an even better place to live.

26/02/2026

TODAY Thursday 26, at the Commons in Gnarabup: Surfers for Climate action 🩵🌊

A surfer-led environmental action group will host a special event at The Common in Gnarabup tomorrow, featuring unseen surf footage shot at Scott Reef – one of Australia's most remote and rarely surfed breaks.

The event will also include an update on fossil fuel giant Woodside's controversial plans to surround the reef with up to 57 gas wells.

'Wild Waves Forever' comes at a critical juncture, with the WA Environmental Protection Agency's recommendation to the Western Australian Government on Woodside's amended proposal expected early this year.

Josh Kirkman, CEO of Surfers for Climate said for surfers, Scott Reef represented something increasingly rare - a world-class wave that remains untouched by development, crowds, or commercialisation.

"Once drilling starts, it's changed forever," he said.
"You can't drill 57 gas wells around a reef and expect the waves to stay the same.
"The ocean floor changes, the reef structure is compromised, and even if there's still waves, the entire character of the place is destroyed."

Aiming for broad community support, the group is specifically reaching out to fly-in-fly-out workers who are often familiar with WA's pristine marine environments.

Attendees who work FIFO will receive two free Gage Roads beers on arrival instead of the standard one, with all ticket proceeds supporting Surfers for Climate's work.

"This isn't a political issue, it's about protecting the natural assets that make WA epic," Kirkman said.
"Whether you're a surfer, fisher, diver, or just someone who loves the ocean, Scott Reef is worth saving."

Wild Waves Forever is on at The Common from 6pm to 10pm on Thursday February 26.

Tickets available at events.humanitix.com/wild-waves-forever-margaret-river

24/02/2026

Two big decisions were made in the past few weeks.
It seems to us that the Western Australian government isn't really interested in the community:

💔The proposal to build a tourist complex in Gnarabup got approved - despite 34 years (!) of community advocacy to stop the development - despite it being an aboriginal heritage site - despite dangerously high fire risk

💔The proposal to build a tourist complex in Smiths Beach got approved - despite massive community opposition and very valid environmental and planning objections

Don't give up on demanding better government.
Write to the minister and to your representatives to tell them what you think:

our federal MP for Forrest: Ben Small, [email protected]
State MP for Vasse: Libby Mettam, [email protected]
State MP for Warren-Blackwood: Bevan Eatts, [email protected]
WA Minister for the Environment: Matthew Swinbourn, [email protected]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-03/gnarabup-development-approved-wa-environment-minister/106302028

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=923463836822422

20/02/2026

The Labor government is a disappointment to many of us. What does it take to shift it into positive action and real leadership?
This conversation + Q&A with Doug Cameron, retired Labor senator, promises to be candid and hopeful:
(Free event, online, 25 February, 7pm AEST)
https://www.electandreflect.com.au/online-qa-with-doug-cameron/

17/02/2026

Great to see there are politicians who appreciate each other’s work even while disagreeing

Sussan Ley has served her electorate of Farrer for 25 years – making her one of the longest-serving female Parliamentarians, as well as the first female leader of the Liberal Party. Both of these are incredible achievements.

Taking the reins after the last election was always going to be difficult, and I commend Sussan on the guts and determination she has shown through all of this. Her time has opened a door for women in the Liberal Party that has long felt shut.

She also gave one of the funniest Midwinter Ball Speeches ever!

As she steps away from Parliament in the coming weeks, I want to extend my thanks to Sussan for her years of service and wish her and her family all the best.

13/02/2026

The closure of the lithium refinery in Kemerton, in the northern section of Forrest, will lead to hundreds of people losing their jobs.

We are sorry this happens, and recognize It's a real blow for workers, their families, and the local community.

It shows how important local and sound economic planning is. How important it is to have a representative on the ground, in our electorate, working to help build a healthy regional economy - including the infrastructure for the renewable energy transition.

High power prices are the result of big foreign business profiting from cheap gas and an electricity market that caters to business not the people that live here.

It's easy for multinationals to make decisions that have a massive impact on people's lives. It's much harder to stand up to them, to fight for better local jobs with the people that know our region best. But that is what's needed.

It was once hoped WA would be in the "box seat" to process critical minerals like lithium. So why are processors like Albemarle pulling the pin?

09/02/2026

What is it about great quotes that is both uplifting, energizing and slightly uncomfortable?

This one, by Barack Obama, points to all our innate good qualities: integrity, honesty, leadership. And, as a consequence, we can each use those qualities to do the work of democracy and community.

The good news is: we're in it together! and we've crafted a great list to put you on the right track:
https://www.voicesforforrest.org/what_can_i_do

(photo: setquotes.com)

03/02/2026

Our volunteers have spoken with thousands of people across Forrest, listening to stories about big problems and lack of government action.
It's our sincere hope that at some point, our representative finds the time to show people that he cares, and works to address the housing issue, transport, hospitals, protection of our beloved environment and many, many more pressing matters.

As Federal Parliament returns today, Liberal member for Forrest Ben Small has responded to criticism of the Coalition split and leadership uncertainty.

Yesterday, National’s leader David Littleproud survived a leadership challenge, but the Liberals have their own issues with uncertainty around the future of leader Sussan Ley.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has compared the Coalition’s dramas to that of reality show ‘Married at First Sight’.

Mr Small told Stan Shaw on ABC South West Breakfast feedback from constituents in his electorate of Forrest said the Liberal party policy was not cutting though.

“The conversations that I have had with literally hundreds of South West locals over the last couple of months have led me to form the view that our performance is not up to scratch," he said.

“I feel like I am making my marks and trying to get a few runs on the board – as a team we aren’t doing that uniformly... we have to make some serious changes to what we are doing – it’s frustrating.

“I am the face of a brand and at the moment that brand isn’t held in terribly high standing in my community.”

For now, the Coalition remains broken, and questions hang over the future of Liberal leader Susan Ley.

Member for Canning Andrew Hastie has ruled himself out of leadership contention, but shadow defence spokesperson Angus Taylor remains tight lipped on whether he will challenge.

Mr Small was asked who he would back in a leadership tilt and doubled down on his support for Andrew Hastie.

“The person that I think has the conviction, the courage and the cut through to lead the Liberal Party and ultimately stand up for middle Australia has ruled himself out," he said.

“At this point Andrew Hastie who I would absolutely support to lead the Liberal party, has in consultation with colleagues, decided it is not his time.”

🎧Listen live to ABC South West Breakfast: https://ab.co/ABCListenApp

16/12/2025

🐟Fishing plays a big role in many people's lives here in Forrest, and the fishing ban is a big deal.

Our survey responders so far are in favor and said it's a good thing that stocks can recover.

What do you think of the fishing ban?

https://forms.gle/qXnpR5TokYzN2BKb7

What matters to people in Forrest, matters to us.