CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 05: Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook speaks to the media at Parliament House on November 05, 2025 in Canberra, Australia. Australia's Parliament convened for sittings as a number of pressing issues come to the fore, from inflation and cost of living domestically to Australia's relationship with its allies in the region and beyond internationally. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)
URGENT UPDATE: Labor Party members have just sent a powerful message to the Cook Government, demanding a complete ban on fracking across 100 percent of Western Australia. This decisive action occurred during a State conference in Fremantle on October 14, 2023, where a new clause was added to the party’s environmental platform.
The resolution, which aims to extend the current fracking ban from 98 percent of WA to the entire state, reflects the urgent concerns of constituents about the environmental impact of fracking. Currently, limited fracking activities continue in parts of the Kimberley and the Mid West regions. However, for any changes to WA’s fracking laws to take effect, they must be approved by the WA Parliament.
Premier Roger Cook has maintained a firm stance on the government’s fracking policies, labeling them as balanced and responsible. Yet, the party’s overwhelming support for the extension highlights a growing divide. Notably, the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Progressive Labor faction voiced their opposition to the clause.
Environmental advocates are calling for immediate action. Martin Pritchard, Executive Director of Environs Kimberley, emphasized the need for the Cook Government to heed the voices of its members, stating, “The majority of West Australians don’t want to see the Kimberley trashed. It’s powerful to see ALP members elevating fracking into the party platform.” Pritchard insists that fracking poses significant risks to the “majestic Kimberley,” affecting local communities, rivers, aquifers, and unique ecosystems.
Conversely, industry voices are pushing back against the proposed blanket ban. Richard Ellis, Director of Australian Energy Producers WA, argues that a comprehensive fracking prohibition contradicts scientific findings and jeopardizes the state’s long-term energy security. “More than a dozen independent inquiries have confirmed hydraulic fracturing is safe when properly regulated,” he stated, referencing the 2018 Scientific Panel Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracture Stimulation in WA.
As tensions rise, the debate over fracking in Western Australia is heating up, with environmentalists and industry representatives at odds. The outcome of this conflict could have lasting implications for the region’s natural resources and energy policies.
What’s Next: The Labor Party’s resolution now awaits further discussion in Parliament, and the public will be closely monitoring responses from the Cook Government. As this situation develops, the stakes remain high for both environmental protection and energy security in Western Australia.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds, and share your thoughts on this critical issue impacting the future of WA.
