Respecting the history of Western Australian women and the integrity of Parliament

Imagine walking through the quiet, sun-dappled paths of Fremantle Cemetery. It is a place of reflection, but it is also a living archive of our collective identity. Recently, a project surfaced to establish a women's history trail there. It is a noble goal. We are talking about an opportunity for remarkable women, those who shaped the very bedrock of our state, to be acknowledged and remembered.

A tale of two voices

In my years as a medical practitioner, I have learned that consistency is the hallmark of trust. When a patient tells me one thing in the clinic but their records show another, we have a problem. I am seeing a similar symptom in our political health. The Minister for Women was happy to provide glowing quotes to the press about this trail. She spoke with pride about celebrating these women. Yet, when I stood up in the House to seek further details, I was met with a sudden case of silence. The Minister referred me elsewhere, suggesting it was a matter for a different department entirely.

The danger of selective silence

This is not just a matter of administrative preference: it is a matter of transparency. When the government chooses to speak through the media but refuses to engage with the same level of detail in Parliament, the public is left in the dark. We lose the thread of accountability. If a project is important enough to celebrate in a newspaper, it is important enough to discuss openly under the scrutiny of the Legislative Council. We cannot afford a culture where ministers only speak when the cameras are flashing but retreat into bureaucracy when asked for the facts.

If you value a science-first approach to politics where evidence and honesty come before spin, I invite you to subscribe to my channel for more updates from the House: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCIGBIf3b385BV5d48Y1U2A?sub_confirmation=1

Restoring the balance

I pressed for a clear answer today. I wanted to know why it is appropriate to speak for the government in the local press but not to treat the House with the same courtesy. The response was a polite but firm insistence that the Minister stands by her previous comments, while still directing the technical responsibility elsewhere. While I am glad she stands by the importance of these women, the process remains murky. We are forward-thinkers. we believe in a Western Australia that honours its past with the same integrity it applies to the present.

The health of our democracy depends on ministers being present and accountable to the people who elected them. We will continue to watch this space and ensure that our history is not just a PR opportunity, but a genuine commitment to the truth. You can read the full exchange in the official record of Parliament. To help us fight for more transparency and evidence-based policy, please consider joining Legalise Cannabis WA.