Media Release | 30 October 2025
Peter Rundle MLA
Shadow Minister for Water
Shadow Water Minister, Peter Rundle, says the Chamber of Minerals and Energy’s call on the Government to invest in research and monitoring of Pilbara groundwater sources is a timely reminder that the Cook Labor Government has been woeful in managing the State’s water resources.
“I’ve been reiterating for some time that the Government has no idea how much water is being drawn from WA ground, so it’s timely for the CME to be adding its support to this pivotal issue.
Water, our most vital resource, has been neglected for far too long so we welcome the resources industry’s representative body backing up the call for better water management.”
The Shadow Water Minister said the Nationals WA fully support the CME’s recommendations to review the guidelines around water licenses and the appropriate resourcing of the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER).
“Clearly, the Labor Government need to increase resourcing to the Department and assist proponents through clear compliance and communication.
The Cook Labor Government and its missing Water Minister are presiding over our most precious resource, yet they don’t seem to have a clue how to manage it. It’s time that they refocus their energy on the things that really matter. Water is undeniably one of those things.”
ENDS
