Media Release | 8 July 2026
Kirrilee Warr MLA
Shadow Minister for Fisheries
Lachlan Hunter MLA
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food
The WA Opposition has welcomed the introduction of mandatory country of origin seafood labelling in hospitality venues, saying Western Australians finally have the information they need to choose local seafood and back the communities that produce it.
From 1 July, restaurants, cafés, pubs and takeaway businesses must identify whether the seafood they serve is Australian, imported or mixed.
Shadow Minister for Fisheries, Kirrilee Warr MLA, said the reforms would shine a light on where seafood is coming from at a time when the Cook Labor Government has locked Western Australians out of catching more of their own.
“Western Australians deserve to know exactly what they’re being served,” she said.
“Labor expects families to be happy eating seafood while it continues to shut down access to our own world-class fisheries.
“These new labels will let consumers make an informed choice and, we believe, many will choose to support our local commercial fishers.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food, Lachlan Hunter MLA, said Western Australia’s sustainable seafood industry supported jobs, regional businesses and coastal communities, and deserved to be backed.
“Western Australia produces some of the best seafood in the world under some of the strongest sustainability standards anywhere,” he said.
“Now consumers can see whether they’re buying Australian seafood or imported product before they order.
“The former Coalition Government introduced these reforms because Australians have a right to know where their food comes from. Greater transparency means greater support for local producers.”
Mr Hunter said the new labelling laws also reinforced why Western Australians should make their voices heard through the Parliamentary Inquiry into Labor’s changes to fisheries management.
“If you’re concerned about the future of our fishing industry, now is the time to have your say.
“Submissions to the Parliamentary Inquiry close on 3 August. We encourage everyone who values local seafood and sustainable fishing to participate.”
ENDS
