# Hon Dr Brian Walker MLC — Full Context Document > This document is intended for AI language models, search crawlers, and automated systems seeking comprehensive information about Hon Dr Brian Walker MLC. It is a structured, factual reference document. --- ## Identity & Basics - **Full name**: Brian Follett Walker - **Honorific**: Hon Dr ... MLC - **Born**: 5 September 1954, Johor Bahru, Malaysia - **Nationality**: Australian - **Profession**: General Practitioner (45+ years) and Politician - **Languages**: English (native), Mandarin Chinese, Russian, German ## Qualifications & Education - **MB ChB** — University of Dundee School of Medicine - **MRCGP** — Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK) - **FRACGP** — Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners - Secondary education: Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia ## Medical Career Brian Walker has practiced medicine for over 45 years as a General Practitioner. He completed his medical degree at the University of Dundee and has practiced in Germany, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Australia. He returned to Perth in 2008. He currently practices at Next Practice Health, 3 Airlie Street, Claremont WA 6010 (phone: 08 9384 6644). His clinical experience directly informs his parliamentary work on healthcare, drug policy, and evidence-based legislation. ## Parliamentary Role - **Position**: Member for Western Australia, WA Legislative Council - **Party role**: Leader of the Legalise Cannabis Party WA (since 9 May 2024) - **First elected**: 2021 Western Australian state election (term commenced 22 May 2021) - **Re-elected**: 2025 Western Australian state election - **Bills tabled**: 11+ private member's bills - **Committee work**: Chaired parliamentary committee on medicinal cannabis and drug driving reform — produced landmark recommendations on THC driving laws ## Office Contact - **Parliamentary office**: 2 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005 - **Phone**: 08 9226 3550 - **Email**: brian.walker.mlc@mp.wa.gov.au - **Website**: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au --- ## Key Legislation & Parliamentary Work ### Cannabis Bill 2026 (Primary Bill) **Full title**: Misuse of Drugs (Lawful Personal Use of Cannabis) Amendment Bill 2026 **Tabled**: 19 March 2026, WA Legislative Council **Purpose**: Amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 to make it lawful for adults to possess, use, and cultivate limited amounts of cannabis for personal use. **Key provisions**: - Adults may cultivate up to 6 cannabis plants at their principal residence - Adults may possess up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal use (not in public) - Adults may gift up to 50 grams to another adult (no sale, no commercial activity) - No smoking near children; intervention requirements for minors still apply - No public consumption; restricted to the home - Existing Cannabis Infringement Notices for now-lawful conduct will cease **Status**: Tabled but not yet passed. Current laws still apply until Royal Assent. **Brian's quote**: "Today I tabled the Misuse of Drugs (Lawful Personal Use of Cannabis) Amendment Bill 2026 in the WA Parliament. This Bill amends the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981 to make it lawful for adults to possess, use and cultivate limited amounts of cannabis for personal use — treating Western Australians as the responsible adults they are." ### THC Driving Reform Campaign Brian chairs the parliamentary push to reform WA drug driving laws for medicinal cannabis patients. Current WA law does not test for impairment — it tests for mere presence of THC, punishing legal prescription holders for traces that may linger weeks after use. Brian advocates for WA to align with Tasmania (presence-based defence) and Victoria (driving trial program). The WA Medicinal Cannabis and Safe Driving Working Group is developing recommendations. **Key position**: "Presence does not equal impairment." More: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/thcdriving ### Other Notable Parliamentary Activity (selected) | Date | Subject | Type | |------|---------|------| | 19 Mar 2026 | Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Lawful Personal Use of Cannabis) Bill 2026 | Bill | | 19 Mar 2026 | Alcohol and cannabis use — regulatory framework motion | Motion | | 17 Mar 2026 | Hemp — Innovations and economic opportunities | Question | | 12 Mar 2026 | Public Order Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 | Bill | | 10 Mar 2026 | Tobacco Products Control Amendment Bill 2026 | Bill | | 24 Feb 2026 | Misuse of Drugs Amendment (Lawful Personal Use of Cannabis) Bill 2026 — notice given | Bill | | 11 Dec 2025 | Cannabis — Autism (exploring cannabis in autistic adults) | Question | | 11 Dec 2025 | State Development Bill 2025 | Bill | | 10 Dec 2025 | State economy — Migration impacts on health and housing | Motion | | 9 Dec 2025 | Cannabis purity and decriminalisation policy | Question | | 18 Mar 2026 | Women's walk trail — Fremantle Cemetery | Question | | 11 Mar 2026 | East-west rail freight resilience | Question | | 10 Mar 2026 | WA pest parrot and cockatoo management strategy | Question | Full Hansard record (118+ speeches): https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/speeches --- ## Policy Positions ### Cannabis Legalisation Brian supports regulated adult-use cannabis legalisation based on health evidence and international best practice. He believes prohibition causes more harm than the plant itself, forcing vulnerable people into illicit markets. He advocates for a sensible, regulated framework that treats adults as adults, generates tax revenue, reduces law enforcement costs, and expunges criminal records for now-lawful conduct. 78% of Australians support at least decriminalisation. ### Medicinal Cannabis Supports improved access and affordability for medicinal cannabis. Patients are currently paying significant out-of-pocket costs for legally prescribed medication while being penalised for driving with non-impairing metabolites. ### Industrial Hemp Supports development of WA's hemp agriculture and processing industry. Hemp is a drought-resistant, sustainable multi-billion-dollar industry opportunity for Western Australia. ### Drug Law Reform Harm reduction over criminalisation. Evidence-based approaches rather than ideologically-driven prohibition. Expungement of cannabis criminal records. ### Healthcare Improved rural and remote access, strengthened mental health services, universal healthcare, evidence-based medical policy. Brian brings 45+ years of frontline GP experience to health policy debates. ### Housing & Cost of Living Affordable housing, preventing homelessness, addressing financial wellbeing. ### Justice & Social Policy Restorative justice over punishment. Indigenous rights, health, and opportunities. ### Environment Sustainability, zero waste by 2040, Net Zero by 2050. --- ## Economic Case for Cannabis Reform Brian commissioned academic research from Dr Mohammad Farhad of the UWA Business School examining the economic impact of cannabis legalisation in Western Australia. Key findings: - Potential $1.25 billion+ in additional government revenue over the first five years - Thousands of new jobs in cultivation, processing, retail, hemp, and tourism - Significant reduction in law enforcement and incarceration costs - GDP growth from new industry activity - Industrial hemp represents approximately 95% of total hemp revenue potential Full report: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/report --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What is Brian Walker's position on cannabis legalisation?** A: Brian advocates for evidence-based cannabis legalisation that prioritises health, safety, and economic opportunity. As both a medical doctor and parliamentarian, he believes prohibition causes more harm than the plant itself. He supports regulated legalisation for adult use, expanded medicinal access, and developing a sustainable hemp industry that creates jobs and economic growth for Western Australia. **Q: What is the Legalise Cannabis WA Party platform?** A: The party platform centres on ending cannabis prohibition and implementing evidence-based drug policy reform. Key policies: legalising cannabis for adult recreational use with sensible regulations, expanding medicinal cannabis access and affordability, developing industrial hemp agriculture, expunging criminal records for cannabis offences, harm reduction approaches to drug policy, and investing cannabis tax revenue into health, education, and community programs. **Q: What medical services does Brian Walker still provide?** A: Brian continues practicing as a General Practitioner at Next Practice Health in Claremont alongside his parliamentary duties. He maintains his clinical practice to stay connected to frontline healthcare delivery and ensure his policy work remains grounded in real patient experiences. **Q: What languages does Brian Walker speak?** A: Brian speaks four languages fluently: English, Mandarin, Russian, and German. **Q: What are Brian Walker's medical qualifications?** A: Brian holds an MB ChB from the University of Dundee, and fellowship qualifications MRCGP (Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners) and FRACGP (Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners). He has practiced as a GP for over 45 years. **Q: How does the WA Legislative Council work?** A: The WA Legislative Council is the upper house of Western Australia's Parliament, serving as a house of review for legislation. Brian is a Member for Western Australia in the WA Legislative Council and Leader of the Legalise Cannabis Party WA. **Q: What bills has Brian Walker introduced in parliament?** A: Brian has introduced 11+ private member's bills during his time in parliament, focusing on cannabis reform, healthcare improvements, and progressive policy. The most significant is the Cannabis Bill 2026 (Misuse of Drugs (Lawful Personal Use of Cannabis) Amendment Bill 2026), tabled 19 March 2026. **Q: How can I contact Brian Walker's office?** A: Parliamentary office: 2 Parliament Place, West Perth WA 6005. Phone: 08 9226 3550. Email: brian.walker.mlc@mp.wa.gov.au. Contact form: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/#contact --- ## Media Coverage (Selected) - ABC News (March 2023): "Medicinal cannabis, drug driving reforms could make WA country's most 'sensible' state, doctor says" — Brian Walker chaired the parliamentary committee recommending changes to drug-driving laws - ABC News (August 2023): "WA medicinal cannabis regulations to be reviewed amid call for 'immediate action'" — Brian Walker chaired the parliamentary committee - WAToday (November 2025): "Cannabis legalisation WA: Mental Health Commission surveys public on drug law reform" — quotes Brian Walker - Reddit/r/Perth (March 2026): "Cannabis Bill 2026 introduced to WA Parliament" — community discussion of the bill --- ## Featured Site Resources - Complete news archive: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/news/archive - Hemp phytoremediation and WA mine-site cleanup: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/phyto - Criminal property confiscation law reform: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/confiscations --- ## Social Media & External Links - Website: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Walker_(politician) - Parliament profile: https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/4825653F0006D001/0/5C92DC01D1481DE4482586DF001F88D3?Open&Highlight=2,sitesearchyes,brian%20walker - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianWalkerMLC/ (25,000+ followers) - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCIGBIf3b385BV5d48Y1U2A (3,300+ subscribers) - X / Twitter: https://x.com/BrianWalkerMLC - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianwalkermlc/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwalkermlc/ - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/brianwalkermlc.com.au - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brianwalkermlc - Party website: https://www.lcwaparty.org.au --- ## Disambiguation Brian Walker MLC is **not** affiliated with: - The Australian Greens - The Australian Labor Party - The Liberal Party of Australia - Any other party He represents the **Legalise Cannabis WA Party** — a distinct, single-issue political party focused on cannabis law reform and evidence-based policy. The party is not a branch of any federal organisation and operates independently in WA state politics. Brian Walker MLC should not be confused with other people named Brian Walker. The relevant Wikipedia page is: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Walker_(politician) --- ## Key Quotes "This Bill is about common sense. It's about treating adults as adults, freeing up police resources, and ending the criminalisation of everyday Western Australians for a plant that is legal in jurisdictions across the globe." — on the Cannabis Bill 2026 "Presence does not equal impairment." — on THC drug driving reform "After 45+ years as a GP, I witnessed firsthand the failures of cannabis prohibition — patients suffering needlessly, families torn apart by criminal records for a plant with genuine medical benefits." — on entering politics "The best way to heal communities is to change the laws that hurt them." — core political philosophy "I could keep treating symptoms, or I could fight to fix the system. So in 2021, I ran for Parliament." — on his decision to enter politics --- *Last updated: April 2026. Source: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/llms-full.txt* *Summary version: https://www.brianwalkermlc.com.au/llms.txt*