“Who Knew What, When?” – Minister Must Come Clean on Shot-Hole Borer Debacle

Media Release | 5 July 2025

The Cook Labor Government must come clean about who knew what and when regarding its catastrophic failure to contain the polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB) – a pest now set to cost local governments and communities millions.

In explosive revelations during Budget Estimates last week, it was confirmed that the National Management Group (NMG) formally ruled PSHB “no longer technically feasible to eradicate” on 18 June 2025.

Remarkably, less than 24 hours later – on the morning of the State Budget – a new line item appeared, announcing the government would now “control” PSHB rather than eradicate it.

“Unless Labor holds the world record for overnight budget editing, it’s clear this decision was known long before June 18.

“The Minister must tell Western Australians exactly when the Cook Government raised the white flag on eradication and why they tried to hide it,” said Mr Hunter.

The decision to shift from eradication to containment has huge consequences for Western Australia’s environment, economy, and local councils.

Despite PSHB being declared one of the most serious biosecurity threats in decades, the Cook Government has only secured an 18-month “transition to management” phase – leaving councils to pick up the long-term bill.

“Local governments are staring down the barrel of an unfunded mess,” said Ms Warr.

“They’re being asked to manage a long-term biosecurity crisis with no certainty, no ongoing funding, and no plan from the State Government.”

Adding insult to injury, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) initially placed “gag orders” on local governments – preventing them from alerting neighbours about infested trees due to so-called privacy concerns.

“The idea that you could have a tree infested with a dangerous pest next door and not be allowed to warn your neighbour is beyond belief, and these secrecy measures undermined local efforts to stop the spread,” Ms Warr said.

Mr Hunter said that during Estimates, the Minister could not explain how budget funding appeared the day after the NMG’s decision, nor clarify when WA officials first suspected eradication was no longer feasible – potentially as early as 2023.

“This is either deliberate deception or gross incompetence.”

“Either way, the Cook Labor Government has completely botched its handling of PSHB – from silencing councils to underfunding the response.

It’s the biggest biosecurity white flag we’ve ever seen.”

“WA deserves honesty, not spin. If Labor was planning to give up on PSHB months ago, they owe it to every council, landholder and taxpayer to admit it,” Mr Hunter said.

“Local governments have been left in the dark for too long. It’s time for answers and proper support,” Ms Warr said.

ENDS