Trevor Whittington, CEO WAFarmers

182 POSTS

Do no harm and hear the other side

Once every three or so years at the federal level, peak bodies in agriculture line up to present their election wish lists to the major political parties, in the hope of getting them embedded in their campaign platforms ... it’s time to change the tune.

India’s economic awakening: The game-changer for WA’s sheep industry

Omika Upadhayay. India, the world’s most overlooked economic success story, is on the cusp of a transformation that could have profound implications for Western Australia’s sheep industry.

New WA firearm laws: What you need to know

WA Firearms Act Reform 2024Firearms Act 2024 (WA)Firearms Regulations 2024 (WA) See also: Firearms Bill 2024

Trump’s tariffs will hurt American farmers

As the U.S. escalates tariffs on key trading partners like China, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, these nations are retaliating strategically—targeting Trump’s biggest supporters and one of the most powerful lobbying forces in America: its farmers.

Universities: The last woke holdout

Somewhere between Trump’s second term, the corporate world rediscovering common sense, and the general public finally tiring of being lectured by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) zealots, Australia’s universities seem to have missed the memo: going woke is so yesterday.

Liar, liar, nation on fire: Why we keep electing serial fibbers

There was a time, not so long ago, when politicians at least made an effort to pretend they were telling the truth. Sure, they stretched it, massaged it, and occasionally trampled all over it, but there was still some vague expectation that outright, blatant lying was a career-ending mistake. But today? Forget it. Lying is no longer a political liability—it’s a winning strategy.

Heritage: Can’t you see it? It’s everywhere

The recent decision in the Tony Maddox case is yet another example of how Western Australia's Aboriginal heritage laws have become a legal minefield for private property owners. What was once a well-defined, albeit imperfect, piece of legislation largely aimed at the mining sector has evolved into a tool for increasingly ambiguous and arbitrary interpretations of cultural heritage.

Keeping the family silver—or hoarding rusted relics

By now, most farmers will have heard that the State Labor Government is “flying the kite” on taking back ownership of WA’s rail network. For some, particularly the Tier 3 romantics, the idea of reviving a government-run rail system is a dream come true.

Throwing good money overboard – WA Government’s aquaculture obsession

DPIRD, dated January 22, 2025, announces a $7 million splurge under the banner of “Building Climate Resilience on WA Farms.” Tucked neatly inside this generous handout is an eye-watering $1,071,770 for “future-proofing” Western Australia’s aquaculture industry. Future-proofing? Against what, exactly? Climate change? Cue the laughter.

When clean green turns a blind eye to what’s natural

The so-called “clean green” warriors of today are too busy waving banners against petroleum products to notice – or care – that the natural fibre industry has been driven to the brink. The irony, of course, is as glaring as a newly-shorn sheep.