Basil Zempilas: Government needs to step-up over bare-knuckle fighting event in Perth
1. Rita Saffioti has the power to ban bare-knuckle fighting coming to WA — but she won't. She and a roll call of fellow ministers have lined up to tell us 'it's not their cup of tea', that they won't be attending, and that it doesn't appeal to them. And still, this Government won't stop it. How gutless is that. For goodness sake Minister, you have the power to ban this barbaric event coming to Perth. It serves no good purpose and sets a shocking example. Step up and do the right thing.
2. Of course, if the Deputy Premier won't ban it, the Premier can. But where is he on this? Hiding in the shadows. He calls himself 'a dad from Kwinana' on his social media bio. Is this really what dads want for their kids and for the community? I'm a dad too Roger, and I know it's not what I want. It's time for leadership. Premier, pull your bare-knuckle fighting, racetrack-building State Government back into line.
3. In the same week they refuse to ban this blood sport, it's been revealed government fees and charges will rise in this month's State Budget, the chronic overcrowding in our State primary schools has been laid bare and ambulance ramping for the month of May has been clocked as the highest on record. Racetracks, a rugby team and bare-knuckle fighting, this Government has its priorities all wrong.
4. Let's give the final word on bare-knuckle fighting to someone who we can credit with displaying the leadership we're looking for, the Prime Minister. Asked if he would ban it if it was his call, Anthony Albanese said: 'I think I probably would. I do think we need to have a bit of common sense here.' Well said PM.
5. The Liberals' WA listening tour has taken off to the Pilbara. Yesterday I was in Port Hedland with Upper House colleague Neil Thompson for a visit to local businesses and a tour of BHP and FMG's ship loading and logistics facilities. Incredible. And if you haven't had a meal at the Hedland Hotel, I highly recommend it, especially if Senator Dean Smith is with you.
6. Today it's Karratha and a first time visit to the ancient rock art at Murujuga. The mayor, CEO and local chamber of commerce boss have all made time and the afternoon's itinerary takes us to Woodside's Pluto LNG project.
7. The week ends in Exmouth, where as well as the senior leaders of the shire, the CCI and some local businesses, I'll get the chance to take in the marine culture of the Tantabiddi boat experience.
8. It appears we have received the most tragic reminder that alcohol and escooters should never be mixed.
9. The Foo Fighters for the AFL grand final? Richard Goyder will be My Hero if he pulls that off.
10. My long weekend highlight, watching the Perth 14s go back to back in division 1 at the Association Championships at Matthews Netball Centre.
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The Advertiser
15 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Ex-premier tips Liberal leadership change to avoid poll
Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it." Embattled premier Jeremy Rockliff has vowed to fight and win a snap election, but speculation is growing his Tasmanian Liberal colleagues will deny him the chance. Tasmania's lower house passed a motion of no confidence in Mr Rockliff on Thursday, just 15 months into the minority government's four-year term. The vote was an episode in spiralling political brinkmanship, with the premier warning opposition leader Dean Winter he would advise for an early election if his motion succeeded. The prevailing political wisdom is the Rockliff government will lose an election, with veteran Liberal political operative Brad Stansfield saying they would be "annihilated" in a winter campaign. However, parliament's dissolution is not due until after Tuesday, given the need to pass a stop-gap budget bill before the election campaign. The delay across the King's Birthday long weekend gives the 17 members of the Liberal party room - including 14 who will put their seats at risk in a campaign - plenty of time to rethink their support for Mr Rockliff. "It's probably 70 to 80 per cent likely that either over the weekend or following the appropriation bill going through on Tuesday, Jeremy won't be leader," former premier David Bartlett told AAP. "It won't be a coup. It will be a smooth transition of power to a new leader and Jeremy will be under all sorts of pressure from internal Liberal party people to make that happen. "I'm not even convinced Jeremy Rockliff wants to go to another election. He'd probably rather retire to the farm." Mr Bartlett led a Labor government between 2008-2011, including the 2010 election which required him - like Mr Rockliff after the 2024 poll - to govern in minority. He said there were no shortage of options for a new leader, who would need to organise support from enough crossbenchers to stave off an election. "Eric Abetz is ambitious, Michael Ferguson still has a baton in the knapsack, Guy Barnett is ambitious and Madeleine Ogilvie is ambitious," he said. Mr Stansfield, who has advised the Liberals to four straight election wins, said the Liberals' charge to an election was "lemming-like behaviour". "They have willingly chosen to go to their own political execution rather than change their policies or change their leader in order to stay in power," he told the FontCast podcast. Former Liberal Premier Will Hodgman attacked the vote of no confidence, saying it was "politically reckless, and seriously damaging to Tasmania's reputation" on social media. AAP has spoken with multiple past and present MPs and advisers, who have confirmed Liberal MPs are privately canvassing options to topple Mr Rockliff and avoid an election. Mr Stansfield - who confirmed dissenting voices in the partyroom over the election position - said Mr Rockliff's position was secure. "The die is cast. They have chosen to follow their leader to an election that they will lose," he said. Liberal senator for Tasmania Jonno Duniam was incredulous about the leadership speculation. "They could choose to change leader - I'm not a part of that party room, I'm not going to tell them what to do," he told the ABC. "This is nuts that we're going to an election." Mr Rockliff on Friday travelled to his home region of the north-west coast, the same community which experienced the deaths of six children in a 2021 bouncy castle tragedy. He opted against a public appearance, given it came on the same day a verdict was finally reached on workplace health and safety failings behind the incident. "Today politics must be put aside. Another heart wrenching day, as we relive the trauma of the Hillcrest tragedy," he posted on social media. After losing the no-confidence vote, Mr Rockliff gave an emotional address to parliament where he revealed he fought off internal opponents to stand by the billion-dollar Hobart waterfront stadium which would house a Tasmanian AFL team - but is unpopular with voters. "I've been advised by all the hard-heads in my party not to go down that track. Why? Because it's bad for votes," he said. "Well, I've always said 'stuff votes' ... I'll say it for the stadium for as long as I damn well live, because I believe in it."
Sydney Morning Herald
5 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The government wants more houses. Ku-ring-gai finally comes to the table
A council spent more than a year battling Premier Chris Minns' push for new housing development and has come up with an alternative plan, including 28-storey high-rises on Sydney's leafy North Shore, that also eclipses the expectations imposed by government legislation. Ku-ring-gai Council claimed its plan would create about 1569 more homes than the government's Transport Orientated Development planning scheme, which sets a blanket planning rule of six-storey buildings within a 400-metre radius of railway stations. Ku-ring-gai's plan is aimed at preventing developments in small residential streets and focusing them around town centres and allows for buildings as tall as 28 storeys around Gordon station; 18 storeys would be supported around Lindfield station; and buildings up to eight storeys could get the green light around Roseville and Killara stations. Minns has staked his political future on delivering desperately needed homes. In winter 2023, he unveiled the signature policy of his government: in the biggest rezoning shake-up in Australian history, regulations dramatically changed to increase density, especially around transport hubs, to create capacity for a claimed 170,000 new homes. The reform was widely welcomed. Twelve of the 13 councils targeted by the TOD planning scheme reached an agreement with the government. But with 25 large, state-significant developments slated along its tree-lined streets, Ku-ring-gai was the only hold-out. The issue quickly turned political: the Liberals planned to wreck the legislation and Ku-ring-gai Council spent more than a year battling the Minns government plan. There was widespread disagreement within the community over the plan, the towering 28-storey blocks prompting most debate. But the council voted unanimously this week to support the counter housing strategy that paves the way for up to 24,500 new homes. NSW Planning Minister Paul Scully confirmed that the Planning Department would consider Ku-ring-gai's alternative, but no timeframe has been confirmed. In today's crowded Sydney with its attendant chronic housing shortfall, the best way to boost the supply of housing is to be to put them near train stations. The forces of NIMBYism invariably cloak objections to projects around planning and heritage. The Ku-ring-gai proposal is also touched by such sentiments with Mayor Christine Kay declaring the council's alternative scheme would 'protect the area's heritage and environment' by focusing density near existing town centres. Ku-ring-gai has possibly blazed a trail for other municipalities. Several other Sydney councils have proposed alternative planning schemes to the TOD controls, including Canterbury-Bankstown Council and the Inner West Council. Inner West is now seeking public feedback on a plan that would support higher density in parts of the local government area, including along Parramatta Road and in The Bays Precinct. The Minns government tempted councils to come on board TOD reforms, promising a $200 million grants pool to fund green spaces, sports facilities and street maintenance. Ku-ring-gai has cleverly dangled the carrot of more housing before the government to green-light what we consider a fair and pretty sensible proposal.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Regulator knocks back Perth bare-knuckle boxing bout
Western Australia's Combat Sports Commission board has knocked back an application from the Bare Knuckle Boxing Championship to stage a bout at RAC Arena next month. In a release after the governing body, including commissioner Bob Kucera, met on Thursday to discuss the approval, a spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration, the board was not satisfied the event met the required criteria.' Sport Minister Rita Saffioti had been under increasing pressure from the opposition and groups including the Australian Medical Association to use her veto powers as minister to stop the event, which was slated to he held at RAC Arena on July 19. However, the government continued to back the event, with Saffioti on Thursday likening it to the UFC. 'This has been one where, of course, you consider all options, but I can't differentiate between this and UFC,' she said. 'For me to say no to this and then support UFC, I think people would rightly say that that was an inconsistent thinking.' Labor lifted the ban on cage fighting after coming to power in 2017, which paved the way for the UFC to host two championship events at RAC Arena, with a further two events planned in 2025 and 2026. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is co-owned by former UFC champion Conor McGregor, who is currently appealing an Irish court civil jury verdict in November that he had raped a woman in Dublin in 2018. The main event of the Perth fight, dubbed BKFC 79, was to be BKFC heavyweight world champion 'Big' Ben Rothwell taking on Australian powerlifting champion Alex 'Godly Strong' Simon in a super heavyweight non-title fight.
