What’s been happening in Australian Politics? Elections take place in WA, politicians react to a baby wombat snatcher, and the government aims to fully fund schools in the next decade.
March 8: Western Australia election takes place
Premier Roger Cook, has led the Western Australia Labor Party to win a third-term victory in the WA government.
The election ended with Labor gaining 41 seats, the Liberals five, and the Nationals four. Previously, in 2021, Labor won a historic 53 out of 59 seats.
As WA Premier since 2023, Cook credited Labor’s victory to their stable governance, job creation and investments in infrastructure.
The Liberal party only saw an 11 per cent swing, having failed to reclaim prior strongholds. Libby Mettam, WA Liberal leader, acknowledged the poor swing and aims to rebuild from the disappointing result.
March 14: US influencer who snatched baby wombat leaves Australia; politicians react
Sam Jones, an influence from the United States, has left Australia after public backlash over snatching a baby wombat in a social media video.
The video showed Jones, also known as Samantha Strable, briefly take a baby wombat away from its distressed mother. Jones was heard laughing while taking the joey.
Jone’s video was very controversial in Australia. Anthony Albanese, the Australian Prime Minister, called it an “outrage.”
In a news conference, Albanese said, “Take a baby crocodile from his mother and see how you go there,”
Penny Wong, Foreign Minister, described the video as “dreadful”.
Leader of the liberal party and the Opposition, Peter Dutton, thought Jones’s action was “a cruel act”. Dutton also said he was “glad” Jones left Australia.
Many conservationists have also condemned Jones’s actions.
In her defence, Jones claims the baby wombat was unharmed. Regardless, wombats are protected under the law in Australia.
Jones left Australia while her visa was still under review.
March 24: The Australian government ensures every school will be fully funded by 2034
The Australian Government has secured a deal which would ensure that every public school wil be fully duned by 2034.
The negotiations were prolonged, with Queensland being the last to sign.
Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) is the institution which determines the necessary funds for schools. Many public schools met the SRS standard, while 98 per cent of private schools exceeded it.
Over the next decade, $2.8 billion will be invested in Queensland’s public schools. Conditions for the funding include early phonics and numeracy checks, mental health support, and catchup tutoring.
The Queensland agreement is part of a $16.5 billion national investment in public schools
Sarah Henderson, shadow education minister, pledged to match the funding. Henderson, however, criticised the “inadequate” reforms.
The Labor Party has warmed that if Peter Dutton, leader of the Liberal party and opposition, wins the next election, school funding will be cut.
The next Australian federal election is on May 17 2025.
Featured Image Credit: Edward Jewsbury
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
