Media Release | 11 March 2026
Shane Love MLA
Leader of The Nationals WA
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Fisheries
Leader of The Nationals WA Shane Love has accused Minister for Fisheries Jackie Jarvis MLC of blatant obstruction after the Government sought yet another extension to a Freedom of Information request relating to the State’s devastating demersal fishing ban.
Mr Love said the Minister’s office has outrageously asked for an additional four weeks to respond to the FOI request, despite the Minister publicly claiming six weeks ago that 3,000 pages of material had already been provided to The Nationals.
“It has now been more than three months since The Nationals lodged a Freedom of Information application on 12 December last year, yet not one document has been produced,” Mr Love said.
“The Minister stood up weeks ago and claimed thousands of pages of information had already been provided. Either she is receiving completely wrong advice from her department, or she has misled the Western Australian public,” Mr Love said.
“If there is nothing to hide, why is the Minister hiding?”
Shadow Minister for Fisheries Kirrilee Warr MLA said the Government’s refusal to release the documentation underpinning the fishing ban was only deepening distrust across coastal communities.
“For months, commercial fishers, charter operators and small businesses have been asking a very simple question: where is the information that led to this decision?” Ms Warr said.
“They want to see the modelling, the data, the economic analysis, the social impact assessments and the departmental advice that led to this decision.”
“They want to know whether anyone in Government actually considered what this ban would do to regional businesses, local jobs and entire coastal communities.”
Ms Warr said instead of transparency, the Government is delivering delays and excuses.
“If the information supports the Government’s decision, then release it.”
“But if the Minister continues to refuse, communities will keep asking the obvious question, what exactly is the Government trying to hide?”
“If the Minister has nothing to hide, she should stop hiding.”
Mr Love said the handling of the request was emblematic of a broader culture of secrecy under the Cook Labor Government.
“This is not an isolated incident. It is standard practice under this Government,” he said.
“Timeframes are never met. Extensions are always sought. Applicants are pressured to narrow their requests.”
“And when documents are finally released, they are so heavily redacted they are virtually useless.”
ENDS
