Search
thewest.com.au
CountrymanChevron Right Icon

Countryman Opinion

OPINION It is time for the WA Government to let go of pine

Why have most States decided to relinquish these massive estates…and realised significant financial windfalls through privatisation?

Gavin Butcher

opinion
opinion
Darryl HockeyCommentsPremium
opinion
Fishing is key to food security

Fresh WA seafood will be the highlight of many family gatherings this Christmas. West Australians can buy or catch some of the world’s best seafood, including our unique local species.

Darryl Hockey

OPINION Opinion: Leadership spat ‘bemusing’ but not productive

The ‘leadership’ spat between Australian Wool Innovation and Wool Producers Australia principals is bemusing — but certainly not good for the wool industry.

Murray Ellis

OPINION PremiumBiosecurity levy opposition unites Australian farming groups

Submissions to the consultation process on the Federal Government’s 10 per cent biosecurity tax demonstrate a rare form of collective strength and solidarity of views across agriculture stakeholders.

Barry Large

opinion
opinion
Josh ZimmermanCommentsPremium
opinion
Festive battles begin: But will voters be left with turkeys?

Christmas is usually a time for politicians to retreat to their electorates, lick their wounds and plot for the coming year. Not so in 2023.

Josh Zimmerman

Josh Zimmerman

OPINION PremiumRick Wilson: EU trade deal collapse ‘not surprising’

While the recent collapse of trade negotiations with the European Union is hugely disappointing for Australian exporters, sadly it is not surprising given our Trade Minister Don Farrell appears disinterested.

Rick Wilson

opinion
opinion
EditorialCommentsPremium
opinion
Beware the firestorm summer from hell

Surely no one can be any under illusion after the blazes that ran riot out at the weekend that the State is not facing a long and potentially catastrophic bushfire season.

Editorial

OPINION PremiumThe ‘lie’ at the heart of the live export debate

We heard it from Labor ministers. We heard it from the Labor and Greens MPs. We heard it from the animal rights activists: the West Australian sheep live export industry is supposedly in terminal decline

Slade Brockman

OpinionPremiumGenuine reform ‘not enough’ for the RSPCA

The RSPCA is attempting to diminish the live sheep export industry’s enviable animal welfare achievements and genuine reform, writes Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton.

Mark Harvey-Sutton

opinion
opinion
Joe SpagnoloCommentsPremium
opinion
Nats need to get real and give Mettam opposition leadership

It is time for the WA Nationals to get real about the next election and hand over the leadership of the Opposition job to Libby Mettam.

Joe Spagnolo

OPINIONPremiumVessels are not the safest place for animals: RSPCA

To draw such a conclusion from a drop in mortality rates alone is over-simplification at its finest, writes RSPCA chair Lynne Bradshaw.

Lynne Bradshaw AM

opinion
opinion
OPINION
opinion
Live export fight just getting started

The fight for the survival of the Western Australian sheep industry is just getting started and farmers are deciding which side they are on.

Aidan Smith

Aidan Smith

OPINION PremiumThere has never been a better time to get out of sheep

Agriculture has been very good for WA, and over time laid the foundation for both a magnificent standard of living and quality of life – arguably the best in the world.

Murray Ellis

OPINIONPremiumFirearms changes primary producers can live with

It’s been 18 months since the State Government announced a complete rewrite of the Firearms Act 1973, and since then more than 20 people have died.

Trevor Whittington, WAFarmers chief executive

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMENPremiumInternational Day of Rural Women: Talking grit with Jackie

Whether it’s mustering cattle in the stifling heat, working late in a small business, or trading grain online while juggling children — rural women all have something in common and that’s grit. 

Jackie Jarvis

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF RURAL WOMEN PremiumInternational Day of Rural Women: ‘Backbone’ of communities

As I reflect on my nearly 15 years in Parliament, I am heartened by the progress we’ve made towards gender equality. 

Mia Davies

OPINION PremiumFarmers share diverse views on the Voice debate

It’s important for the agricultural community to share diverse views ahead of the Constitutional referendum to be held on October 14.

Simon Wallwork

OpinionPremiumGoldfields journey highlights train lighting deficiencies

Train lighting safety campaigner Lara Jensen reflects on the contrasts between mining industry and railway industry safety.

Lara Jensen

Opinion PremiumMore to worry about than weather and grain markets

As a WA grain farmer, I have during the recent year indulged in the usual preoccupation of worrying about the weather and markets. 

Gary McGill

opinion
opinion
Neil ThomsonCommentsPremium
opinion
Expensive and slow infrastructure upgrades leave WA lagging

The biggest problem for Ms Saffioti and WA Labor is that these big spending projects could start looking like a pile of manure at the door of the 2025 election if things don’t get finished on time. 

Neil Thomson

OPINION PremiumJohn Hassell: Act locally to support live sheep trade

The Federal Government is this week expected to receive the final report from the live export phase-out panel which was appointed by the Federal Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt. 

John Hassell

OPINION PremiumSlade Brockman: Attacks on sheep industry not reality

Radical animal activist groups from the inner city, and urban politicians, continue to attack our great WA sheep industry.

Slade Brockman

OPINIONPremiumOPINION: The Nationals WA Blueprint aims to drive growth

Western Australia is the best place to live in the world. With its expansive landscapes and rich resources, it has always been a land of immense potential. 

Shane Love

OPINIONPremiumSawmill supplies dwindle to firewood panic

The WA Government’s new forestry policy is unravelling. 

Gavin Butcher