Media Release | 16 July 2026
Shane Love MLA
Leader of The Nationals WA
Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum
Leader of The Nationals WA and Shadow Minister for Mines and Petroleum Shane Love MLA says industrial action at BHP’s Port Hedland operations has exposed a growing problem under Premier Roger Cook: an increasingly powerful union movement with significant influence over the Labor Party.
Mr Love said workers deserved to be paid well for the important work they perform. However, with the strike threatening to cost Western Australia millions of dollars in lost royalty revenue every day, Western Australians deserved to know whether the Premier was prepared to stand up for the State’s economic interests, even when that meant standing up to powerful unions within the Labor Party.
“Who is really calling the shots in the WA Labor Party?” Mr Love said.
“Under Roger Cook, we are seeing a level of union influence within the Labor Party that raises serious concerns about whether the Government is acting independently and in the best interests of all Western Australians.”
Mr Love said the unions involved in the dispute were not simply external stakeholders.
“Senior union figures sit on WA Labor’s State Executive and play an influential role in decisions around candidates, leadership and policy direction,” he said.
“That influence makes the Government’s silence on this dispute even more concerning.
“We have a Premier who is increasingly beholden to the unions because they gifted him the Premiership.
It is a stark contrast to the leadership style of former Premier Mark McGowan, who maintained his independence from the union movement.”
“Roger Cook likes to say he will always do what is right for Western Australia.
“The right thing to do now is to step up, engage with all parties and help find a resolution.
“The Government should encourage both sides back to the negotiating table and ensure this dispute is resolved in a way that respects workers while protecting WA’s economic future.”
ENDS
