Home
Search
thewest.com.au
CountrymanChevron Right Icon

Countryman Politics

Anthony Albanese has resisted calls to fly to Donald Trump’s side in Washington, as fears grow that Australian beef could be the next victim of an escalating global trade war.

federal politicsCommentsTrump tariffs bite as Albanese flies west

Anthony Albanese has resisted calls to fly to Donald Trump’s side in Washington, as fears grow that Australian beef could be the next victim of an escalating global trade war.

Jessica Page and Nicola Smith

Anthony Albanese says Labor under Premier Roger Cook has a "good brand" in WA. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

PoliticsPremiumPoll party on hold as triumphant premier waits on count

The final makeup of state parliament is still taking shape after Labor's barnstorming third-term victory, delaying the returning premier's official victory lap.

Aaron Bunch

GEN Federal Trade Minister Don Farrell with rock lobters at a trade and tourism announcement at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Iain Gillespie

federal politicsPremiumFarrell turns to China as US tariffs start to bite

Australian agriculture and pharmaceutical products at risk from Donald Trump’s tariffs according to Don Farrell, but the trade minister has insisted there’s no need to panic. 

Jessica Page

The comments come after Opposition Leader Shane Love launched another broadside at Mr Kennedy, calling for him to resign as Electoral Commissioner.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA election 2025CommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Electoral workers forced to hand write ballot papers

Steve Blizard was left shocked after seeing the six handwritten ballots on Saturday night in the tight seat of Kalamunda, saying he had never seen it in his three decades as a scrutineer.

Dylan Caporn

Shane Love MLA Opposition Leader Nationals WA has formally written to the Corruption and Crime Commission requesting an investigation into political donations made by PersolKelly and its affiliated entities, Andrew Ritchie

WA election 2025PremiumShane Love slams Electoral Commissioner over poll ‘s...show’

Opposition Leader Shane Love raises concerns over WA State Elections, citing voter complaints of polling day irregularities.

Dylan Caporn

WAFarmers president John Hassell is worried about the Greens holding the balance of power.

WA electionPremiumWAFarmers: ‘Anti-agriculture’ Greens a serious concern

WAFarmers has labelled an emboldened “anti-agriculture” Greens presence as farmers’ biggest post-election concern, with the left-wing party set to seize the balance of power in the Upper House. 

Cally Dupe, Jake Dietcsh & Kate Campbell

A CBH spokesman was quick to clarify the co-operative was “apolitical” and “does not make political donations”. 

POLITICAL BACKLASHPremiumCBH Group maintains it ‘does not make political donations’

CBH Group has been caught in the crossfire of a crackdown to end the big-money arms race in Australian politics, with farmers left confused over what appeared to be a $20,000 cash donation to WA Labor. 

Cally Dupe

Regional voters have turned against Labor.

Swing awayPremiumRegional WA residents vent their anger at the polls

Regional WA has taken out its anger at the polling booth, with a significant swing against Labor despite the party’s landslide victory in this year’s State election. 

Cally Dupe, Kate Campbell & Dylan Caporn

Labor had been confident throughout the campaign the Liberals’ messaging was not cutting through, because for most West Australians, it did not represent how they felt. 

analysis
analysis
WA election 2025CommentsPremium
analysis
Lazy Libs fail to take advantage of swing shift against ALP

‘Patchy’, ‘lumpy’ and ‘uneven’ are not desirable words in politics, but their use was in overdrive on Sunday. 

Dylan Caporn

In Geraldton, which the Nationals were on track to hold for the first time in 75 years, with Chapman Valley Shire president Kirrilee Warr beating Labor MP Lara Dalton. 

WA election 2025CommentsPremiumLibs & Nats spruik need for stronger alliance

Both Liberals and the Nationals have said the parties need to form a more cohesive relationship in this term of Parliament, as they stare down a decade out of power in Western Australia. 

Dylan Caporn

Mr Kennedy held a press conference that lasted just six minutes on Sunday afternoon before he walked away from reporters, leaving questions unanswered.

updated
updated
WA election 2025CommentsPremium
updated
WAEC to launch probe after ‘unacceptable’ polling issues

The WA Electoral Commission boss held a press conference that lasted just six minutes on Sunday afternoon before he walked away from reporters, leaving questions unanswered.

Oliver Lane

Mr Cook has bushed off his description of Mr Vance as a ‘lighthearted, non-professional moment’. POOL / NewsWire / Kelsey Reid

BusinessFears over rogue remark amid tariff deadline

A state premier’s rogue remark about the US Vice President could play a role in deciding if Australia gets a tariff carve out, a senior opposition senator claims.

Joseph Olbrycht-Palmer

Liberal leader Libby Mettam

analysis
analysis
WA election 2025VideoCommentsPremium
analysis
Learn from mistakes and lock in the long, slow climb

The Liberals and Nationals need to put their rivalries aside, put their heads together and form a coalition of the willing to ensure a better standard of political debate for WA.

Jessica Page

Lachlan Hunter grew up on a farm at Bruce Rock.

STATE ELECTIONPremiumWA Nationals’ Lachlan Hunter claims Central Wheatbelt

Bruce Rock-raised Lachlan Hunter has claimed the seat of Central Wheatbelt, with the safe WA Nationals seat the first to be called for the State Election. 

Cally Dupe

The WA Liberals leader Libby Mettam.

POLLING SOONPremiumState Election: How the Liberals are shaping up

A depleted Liberal party’s bid to return to at least opposition status will rest on the shoulders of Vasse MLA Libby Mettam as looks to no longer be the the sole South West parliamentarian not on team red. 

Amber Lilley

Nationals federal candidate for the senate Paul Brown, Shire of Capel deputy president Sebastian Schiano, WA Nationals leader Shane Love with Collie-Preston candidate Cam Parsons, Murray-Welling candidate Paul Gillett and Capel president Doug Kitchen at the Boyanup Saleyard.

POLLING SOON PremiumState Election: How Nationals WA are shaping up

The Nationals WA will look to claw back some ground in the South West at the weekend, currently without any representation in either the Upper House or Lower House in the region. 

Amber Lilley

Nationals member for Roe Peter Rundle and party leader Shane Love.

Hospital commitmentPremiumNats pledge MRI for Esperance

Nationals WA will invest $10 million for an MRI machine in Esperance if elected to government at this weekend’s State election.

Tegan Guthrie

Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Roe MLA Peter Rundle says a housing shortage in Esperance is having a serious impact.

State ElectionPremiumNationals promise $6.5m towards worker accommodation

Funding towards a multimillion-dollar worker accommodation project to address Esperance’s critical housing shortage is Nationals WA’s latest election promise.

Carwyn Monck

The current members of State Parliament in Liberal Merome Beard and National Shane Love are the favourites to take out the new Mid West seat, according to experts.

Mid-West seatPremiumLove, Beard fighting to stay in politics ahead of election

The two sitting members of Parliament vying for the Mid-West seat say they are determined to bring the best out of the region, as the campaign for the seat enters its final days.

Matthew Paddick

Voters Tom Campbell, Maya-Rose Chauhan and Douglas Custance.

WA election 2025CommentsPremiumVoters dealing with election ‘fatigue’ over dual polls

WA voters are confused about the State and Federal polls as Labor insiders in both levels of government grow concerned about the impact of two elections in quick succession.

Oliver Lane

Paul Papalia made the funding pledge eight days out from the March 8 election.

WA ELECTION 2025 CommentsPremiumOff to the races as Labor backs down on racing club funding

After intense pressure from regional racing clubs, Labor has matched the Nationals’ $25 million commitment.

Jake Dietsch

Warren-Blackwood MLA, Jane Kelsbie has put the WA LIberals ahead of the Nationals in the race for her seat.

preferential treatmentPremiumKelsbie’s preference for Libs stirs race to election

Jane Kelsbie’s campaign to retain Warren-Blackwood at next weekend’s State election has seen her favour her Liberal Party rival in preferences.

Warren Hately

Representatives of the Yuna Bus Action Group

BUS PLEDGEPremiumLiberal and National parties’ school bus support

The WA Liberals and WA Nationals have pledged a stable and sustainable future for the essential orange school bus network that so many regional families rely on.

Ava Berryman

North West Central MLA Merome Beard says her stolen car ahead of early polls opening on Monday is another example of how more needs to be done to curb juvenile crime.

WA ELECTION 2025VideoPremiumWATCH: MP’s car stolen, later used in bottle shop ram raid

Merome Beard said the alleged theft of her car in Carnarvon ahead of early polls opening on Monday is another example of how more needs to be done to curb juvenile crime.

Matthew Paddick

We use cookies so we can improve your experience on this site, analyse traffic and provide you with relevant advertising. To find out more, please see our Cookies Guide.

By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies.