Media Release | 25 February 2026
Lachlan Hunter MLA
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Lachlan Hunter MP says the Cook Labor Government has left Western Australian farmers waiting more than four months for funding under the Sheep Industry Supply Chain Capacity Program.
The Commonwealth-funded program, administered by the State Government, opened on 27 August 2025 and closed on 22 October 2025. A total of 266 applications were lodged, yet only 45 projects were approved; and no payments have reached successful applicants.
Mr Hunter said the oversubscription demonstrated how urgently the sheep industry needed investment.
“The fact that 266 applications resulted in just 45 approvals shows a sector desperate for processing and supply chain capacity,” Mr Hunter said.
“Businesses did exactly what was asked of them, spent time and money preparing applications and were assessed, yet not one dollar has landed in their accounts.”
“This is Commonwealth money. Labor’s only responsibility was to administer the program, but the funding is still sitting idle while regional businesses wait.”
Mr Hunter said the delay was damaging confidence as producers consider flock numbers and future investment.
“Farmers make decisions based on seasons, not press conferences. Holding up these grants undermines confidence across the entire sheep industry,” he said.
Mr Hunter welcomed the opening of Round Two on 27 February but said key questions remained.
“Is Minister Saffioti putting any State funding on the table for the next round or is this once again solely Commonwealth funded?” he said.
“Will applicants who already went through the process be forced to reapply, or will the Government recognise the work they have already done?”
Mr Hunter called on the Cook Government to immediately issue agreements and payments to successful applicants.
“Regional WA needs delivery, not delay,” he said.
ENDS
