Basil Zempilas: Labor’s bullet proof armour has fallen away as critics line up

1. If you wanted any proof the landscape has changed and the bullet proof armour is off this State Government, find your way to WALGA president Karen Chappel’s comments from earlier this week. Actually, no need, just read on. But before you get to the next point, understand this; there was a time when organisations and individuals wouldn’t have said boo against the WA Labor Government — not publicly anyway. The fear of retribution and the out and out intimidation was so strong, only a handful of brave warriors dared speak up. The March election didn’t deliver a change of government, but it did change the political environment. What a difference a strong Opposition makes.

2. Enter WA Local Government Association president Karen Chappel. In response to critical comments from Housing Minister John Carey, Chappel said: “If this minister and this State Government put half the time and energy they put into criticising local governments into building more homes and addressing health infrastructure failures across the State, vulnerable West Australians might be better off.” Boom.

3. It’s not so much what Chappel said, it’s that she said it. Two of the first three people who messaged me about her comments asked, “has the WALGA page been hacked?” It hadn’t. This is a brave new world. Where dissenting voices once barely existed, suddenly they’re lining up. Welcome Karen. Remember when Toto pulled the curtain back to reveal the big, bad Wizard of Oz wasn’t so big and bad.

4. One of the main lines of questioning in Parliament this week has been around the State Government’s failure to introduce legislation which would crack down on the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco. Every other mainland State has brought in tough new laws, WA has not. Labor’s legislative priority this week instead? Public holidays.

5. This State Government bristles at scrutiny, and the more intense the scrutiny the more they bristle. Interestingly, the number of Parliamentary sitting weeks for next year — where the Opposition ask questions on behalf of West Australians — was released this week. The number? Just 17.

6. “It was very negative and very personal” Rita Saffioti said this week after a local government election campaign which resulted in the sitting mayor — and former colleague of the Deputy Premier — losing her position. Imagine anyone or any organisation waging a “negative and very personal” campaign.

7. My congratulations to Bruce Reynolds on his election as the 19th Lord Mayor of the City of Perth. He’s already done something I didn’t — wear the full mayoral robes for his swearing-in ceremony.

8. Can you believe that Telethon total? Well done WA. Is 2026 the year we reach triple figures?

9. Dean Cox back to coach WA, isn’t that cool. I wonder if the Eagles fans will bring back that famous crowd banner?

10. I defy you to listen to Taylor Swift’s new song The Fate of Ophelia and not get it stuck in your head for a week.

Basil Zempilas is the Opposition Leader