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Parliament of Western Australia
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What is said in the sittings, update by update, the latest first. Each update opens the video at the second it was said.
Sandra Carr and 1 other
DBCA and Lamont present monitoring programs, evidence of ecological outcomes and spillover, public availability of data, stakeholder consultation and review processes, and clarify the status and intent of the 2023 marine park design principles and their interface with fisheries objectives and demersal monitoring.
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
AMCS details examples of effective WA fisheries reforms (notably western rock lobster), critiques the outdated legislative framework and unusual indicator-species approach, explains harvest triggers and independent scientific reviews, and highlights how political pressures have historically diluted scientific advice, underscoring the need for stronger environmental layers such as marine parks in overall management.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee examines CCWA’s views on long‑term sustainable fisheries planning, permanent recovery zones, confidence in departmental stock science, the organisation’s evidence base, and risks that reduced commercial effort could weaken data for future stock assessments, alongside broader questions about regulatory capacity and resourcing of key state environment and fisheries agencies.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
DBCA details the inventory and scale of WA marine reserves, explains multiple-use zoning and access issues including Recfishwest concerns, outlines sanctuary proportions and park-creation principles, and describes governance, joint management with Traditional Owners, staffing and adaptive management structures.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee completes procedural requirements, affirms witnesses and outlines privilege and recording rules before DBCA presents its opening statement on the role of marine parks as conservation and cultural heritage tools distinct from fisheries management.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
Chair Carr completes procedural opening and witness formalities, then CCWA delivers its opening evidence supporting the demersal ban, outlining long‑term mismanagement of dhufish stocks, advocating science‑based recovery zones over full sanctuaries, and highlighting seismic blasting and climate change as major overlooked pressures on WA fisheries.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The Chair completes procedural formalities and AMCS presents its introductory statement, outlining the social context of the demersal rules, defending the robustness of fisheries science, and stressing that two decades of stock assessments have warned of high depletion risk and the need for a long-term, precautionary management framework in WA.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee probes the role of WAFIC and other peak bodies, consultation around the 2025–2028 closure decisions, responses to calls for independent reassessment and a fisheries ombudsman, DPIRD’s ESD-based policy framework and high compliance levels, the absence of formal cost–benefit analysis for closures, and the permanent end of the west coast commercial demersal fishery within broader marine planning and recreational-only management settings.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
DPIRD outlines compulsory and voluntary Fisheries Adjustment Schemes for west coast, Kimberley and south coast operators, treatment of tackle shop rebates, ongoing work to streamline complex regulatory instruments, and emerging research on shark depredation impacts on demersal scalefish.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
Members examine dhufish aquaculture limits, the timing and conditions for a possible 2027 recreational reopening within tight catch caps, enhanced science funding and federal liaison, the interaction with Commonwealth shark certifications, and DPIRD’s broader reform to move commercial fisheries to individual transferable quotas under a new 2028 management plan.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
Members scrutinise the move from a 220‑tonne commercial limit to full closure following the 2025 stock assessment, and test Fish For All’s methodological critiques, including model structure, diagnostics, Mohn’s rho, shark depredation inputs and climate-driven distribution shifts. DPIRD addresses the role of marine parks in stock recovery, field capacity and observer coverage, ageing and survey lags, timing of key publications and Status of Fisheries reports, and explains catch-reporting delays, quarterly industry updates and openness to more co‑management-style research and decision-making before moving in camera.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
Fishfil and Fish for All allegations about the Punt review, access to confidential data, and the adequacy of commercial fisher input prompt DPIRD to detail its consultation structures, annual management meeting cycle and the remit of its Management Advisory Committee. The committee also tests claims of FOI non-compliance, with DPIRD explaining its FOI processes, grounds for redaction, third‑party consultation and efforts to refine broad demersal-related requests.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
The hearing shifts from science to enforcement and capacity, with DPIRD describing funding for Operation Glacier Peak, new fishery‑independent surveys and ageing programs, regional staffing and risk‑based deployment, use of technology and citizen science, and ongoing efforts to improve public understanding and trust in fisheries science.
In this chapter
Phil Twiss and 1 other
The hearing turns to AMCS and other concerns about unconstrained recreational catch, BOFFF protection tools, data gaps and new monitoring methods, and whether DPIRD is sufficiently resourced for demersal management. Conservation Council of WA recommendations on staged 2027 access, seismic impacts, oil and gas decommissioning, compliance transparency and science capability are then canvassed, with DPIRD outlining current trials, moratoria and institutional responsibilities.
In this chapter
Jess Beckerling and 1 other
Members question DPIRD’s advisory role on seismic proposals, its treatment of fisheries values and cumulative impacts, and specific advice on the Pilot Energy Dongara survey, including conditions for demersal research. The committee then probes whether recent Victorian seismic science has informed WA advice and seeks on-notice responses on potential impacts of Chevron’s Gorgon expansion and underwater compressor on key Pilbara spawning grounds and demersal breeding.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
DPIRD explains its stock assessment methods, limits of emerging technologies, the legislative hierarchy under the Fish Resources Management Act, and the biological and biomass-reference evidence showing dhufish and other indicator species at or below critical limits, justifying precautionary intervention in a low‑productivity marine environment influenced by the Leeuwin Current.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee completes formal opening procedures, swears in DPIRD witnesses, and DPIRD gives an opening statement outlining its advisory role, scrutiny faced, and the longstanding decline in west coast demersal scalefish stocks prompting government action.
In this chapter
Rob Horstman NAT
The committee examines the adequacy of the $20 million CFAS compensation cap, the need for a clear WA fisheries policy and strengthened FRMA access rights, DPIRD’s role in marine parks and offshore wind siting, and how sustainability, social and economic objectives are balanced. It then explores resourcing for recreational versus commercial sectors, agency capability and strategic intent, before turning to planning and science needs for the 2027 West Coast Demersal reopening and shark depredation research and review commitments.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee scrutinises injury and fracture data systems, GRI policy and reporting metrics, questions the classification of race‑related deaths and potential understatement of racing mortality, and hears RWWA’s defence of its exposure‑based methodology before adjournment.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 2 others
The hearing turns to veterinary governance, dental disease in rehomed greyhounds and feedback loops with GAP, then examines gaps in parasite surveillance, particularly hookworm resistance and the role of veterinarians and notifiable disease systems.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee explores steward follow‑up with adopters, track safety governance between RWWA and WAGRA with a focus on the Cannington investigation and report handling, considers feasibility and funding constraints for a straight track in WA, and then proceeds to the formal close of the hearing.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
Using the Dog A case, the hearing tests vet certification standards, recourse against veterinarians and cost burdens on rehoming organisations, before turning to the 28‑day return rule, intake and body condition requirements, and cross‑border greyhound movements into the WA rehoming system.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 2 others
Members test RWWA’s approach to physical housing and daily care, examining kennel size and transition requirements, inspection and environmental rules, and obligations for exercise, enrichment, stress management and training practices for racing greyhounds.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
Members scrutinise the amended euthanasia rule, particularly behavioural assessments and ‘not suitable for rehoming’ decisions, then examine RWWA’s retirement and rehoming framework, including trainer obligations, monitoring of GAP outcomes, and cultural and market barriers to effective post‑racing welfare.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr and 1 other
The Chair opens the hearing, RWWA outlines its statutory mandate over greyhound racing, and the committee probes the post‑2025 welfare framework and 2026 Standards, including consultation, national alignment and mandatory health management plans.
In this chapter
Sandra Carr Australian Labor Party
The committee reviews RWWA’s recording and public reporting of race‑related deaths and injuries, including categorisation of serious and off‑track cases, and probes the limits of on‑track vet checks, diagnostic capacity and referral pathways to safeguard welfare and integrity.
In this chapter
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