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Ben Sutherland is the president of the WA Livestock and Rural Transport Association

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opinion
Ben SutherlandCommentsPremium
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Live export ban will wipe out 3000 jobs in WA

You might wonder what on earth a truckie like me is doing writing in the pages of The West Australian about Federal politics.

Ben Sutherland

Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese holding a Building Australias Future Rally in Brisbane along with Jim Chalmers: Treasurer Jason Edwards / NewsWire

OpinionPremiumHear the other side and do no harm (to agriculture)

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.

Trevor Whittington

Female representation in State Parliament has taken big hit

opinion
opinion
State PoliticsCommentsPremium
opinion
Female representation in State Parliament has taken big hit

Spoiler alert: it’s taken a major step backward.

Licia Heath

Peter Wilkinson, of Challara Merino and Poll Merino stud, with fine wool produced by his sheep.

OpinionPremiumA sheep farmer’s thoughts on the state of the sheep industry

As a sheep farmer and the owner of a Merino stud, I need to share a few concerns within the sheep industry.

Peter Wilkinson

RSPCA WA board chair Lynne Bradshaw.

OPINION PremiumOpinion: Setting the record straight on RSPCA WA’s funding

This new funding commitment is simply the State Government funding RSPCA WA for the job it contracts it to do, and recognises that it does that job efficiently and effectively. 

Lynne Bradshaw

Former Nationals MPs Max Trenorden, right, and Philip Gardiner, left. Bottom left: CBH Group's Brookton receival site.

OPINION PremiumFormer Nationals MPs welcome rail buyback move

Former Nationals MPs welcome WA Labor’s decision to explore taking on WA’s grain freight network

Max Trenorden and Philip Gardiner

RRR Network chief executive Kendall Galbraith.

OpinionPremiumWorking from home is a gamechanger for women

Breaking the urban-regional divide has been on many leaders’ agendas, making regional people and their communities a critical diversity to unlock and include. 

Kendall Galbraith

Voters experienced delays in this year’s State election.

OpinionPremiumWA voters deserve answers after State election failings

It’s been more than three weeks since the shambolic State Election on March 8, yet we are still in the dark about the many failings which have emerged since polling day.

Shane Love

National Farmers’ Federation’s new boss Troy Williams has made his first visit to WA, pledging to continue to stand up for the State’s farmers while working more closely with regional communities.

OpinionIndia’s growing demand a new frontier for WA sheep farmer

For decades, Australians have watched China’s meteoric rise from an agrarian society to a manufacturing superpower, reshaping global trade and Australian exports along the way. 

Omika Upadhayay

ALEC chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton.

OpinionPremiumTrump tariffs show insight into live sheep trade ban

The imposition of tariffs on Australian steel and concerns about the possibility of further tariffs on agricultural products down the line has people justifiably worried.

Mark Harvey-Sutton

National Farmers’ Federation president David Jochinke.

OpinionPremiumEarly childhood learning needed in agriculture

Australia’s regions are the engine room of our nation — driving our economy and home to the farms that grow the food and fibre we all rely on daily.

David Jochinke 

In an election year, policymakers must recognise that it is time to prioritise commercial-ready innovations that can make a tangible impact. 

OpinionPremiumOPINION: Challenge is to produce smart, not more

Protectionist industrial policies are on the rise worldwide. State-led capitalism is driving governments to erect tariffs and reclaim manufacturing. But at what cost?

Dr Chris Vas

Rick Wilson is the Federal Member for the WA electorate of O’Connor, and Australia’s shadow assistant minister for trade.

OPINION PremiumWhen will the Government’s live export madness end?

When will the madness end?  That’s what the Australian agriculture industry keeps asking itself after another brazen decision from the Albanese Government. 

Rick Wilson

The Cook Government’s interpretation and application of Aboriginal cultural heritage should concern all WA landowners.

OPINION PremiumTony Maddox case sets a ‘dangerous precedent’ for landowners

The conviction of Toodyay landowner Tony Maddox under the Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 has sent shockwaves across the nation. 

Shane Love

Sheep being loaded. Inset: Countryman editor Cally Dupe.

OpinionPremiumLive export: Curious concept behind live export workshops

It’s a curious concept to provide a publicly available online registration link for a forum that is supposed to be invite-only. 

Cally Dupe

Wollemi chief executive Sam Sneddon.

OPINIONPremiumClimate reporting a puzzle piece for net zero transition

The global push for decarbonisation has become increasingly embedded in legal and regulatory regimes this year, with Australia the latest jurisdiction to pass laws mandating companies to report on emissions.

Sam Sneddon

David Beard: Why would a Government want to discourage people from exercise?

OpinionPremiumWA the nation’s powerhouse, but not when it comes to health

We go to the polls on March 8 knowing WA is the State that has kept Australia afloat with its booming mining and export sectors.

David Beard

The Cook Government’s interpretation and application of Aboriginal cultural heritage should concern all WA landowners.

opinion
opinion
Libby MettamCommentsPremium
opinion
Maddox cultural heritage ruling alarm bell for landholders

The Cook Government’s interpretation and application of Aboriginal cultural heritage should concern all WA landowners.

Libby Mettam

The Arthur River fire burned more than 11,000ha.

OPINIONPremiumOpinion: The hidden threat of rural powerlines in WA

The recent bushfires in Western Australia are a painful reminder of the risks we face. 

Tony Marxsen

RRR Network members listen to a presentation.

OPINIONRural, regional women should be front of mind

Political campaigning is under way, and it has taken up real estate in my head. Recently, without a second thought I referenced the political Aussie catchphrase ‘a fair go’ to summarise a meeting of mine.

Kendall Galbraith

Frankland woolgrower Richard Coole.

OPINION PremiumPoliticians ‘naive’ to ban live sheep trade

The $139m allocated to assist sheep producers transition out of the live sheep trade is quickly being swallowed up by bureaucracy and consultants.

Richard Coole

Al Messilah vessel tour at Fremantle Port on Sunday, September 22. Cally Dupe

OPINION PremiumMike Henderson: WA’s sheep industry is hurting

Shearing industry figurehead Mike Henderson has laid bare the impacts of the Albanese Government’s plan to ban live sheep exports in an opinion piece.

Mike Henderson

Bruce Rock farmer Jane Fuchsbichler.

RAIL CHANGE NEEDEDPremiumJane Fuchsbichler: Rail should be in State Govt hands

Bruce Rock farmer Jane Fuchsbichler has welcomed the State Government’s plans to try to buy back WA’s rail freight network after it was sold off by the Richard Court government in 2000 on a 49-year lease.

Jane Fuchsbichler

Get ready for serious instability in the global economy.

analysis
analysis
Countryman OpinionComments
analysis
Four ways Donald Trump’s tariff tirade will hurt Australia

JACKSON HEWETT: Australia is already feeling the effects of Trump’s new economic measures. Here are four reasons why there is more pain to come.

Jackson Hewett