Former West Australian Labor MP Chris Tallentire has accused his party of pandering to “vested interests” over the wishes of the community in a cutting letter published in this month’s Quarterly Essay.
Tallentire, the MP for Gosnells for 16 years, has criticised the Cook government in the past, but has now taken his gripes to a national level.
In the letter published this week in the nationally popular periodical, Tallentire said: “The power of vested interests to get WA Labor to adopt their policy positions is alarming.”
“The steady stream of cosy business-sector breakfasts and lunches where the premier or a senior minister talks tough about cutting red tape and helping business – especially big corporates – shows the trap WA Labor has fallen into,” he wrote.
“While it’s hard for lay and elected party members to advance their policy ideas, there’s an easy willingness to accept policy ideas from vested interests.”
Tallentire also claimed that when WA Labor backbenchers began asking for evidence supporting the common line spouted from the Cook government and fossil fuel sector – that WA’s gas was helping decarbonise Asia – the government decided to pull the climate bill introduced in 2023.
“This was pure pandering to the wishes of vested interests,” he said.
“When faced with the choice between a bill that met the standard set by the federal government, with its legislated independent Climate Change Authority and going to an election with no climate legislation, a situation which suited the gas industry, WA Labor chose the latter.
“Since WA’s climate legislation was introduced, the way greenhouse gas emissions from industry in WA are regulated has changed, with the Federal Government taking the lead through the strengthened Safeguard Mechanism,” the spokesman said.
“Considering this changed regulatory environment, the state government is taking some time to review the legislation to ensure it delivers the best outcomes for WA.
“We are focused on ensuring that our approach aligns with the most effective measures available to drive down emissions and support our transition to a decarbonised economy.
“All state government MPs are united in focusing on the government’s priorities of delivering jobs, healthcare, and homes for Western Australians.”
The spokesman said the Cook government had done more than any other government in WA’s history to restore the environment, listing its decision to end native logging, getting out of coal by 2030 and expanding the conservation estate.
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Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism.Connect via X or email.