Home
Search
thewest.com.au

Opinion

Among the 81 serious cases studied in WA, 35 per cent were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

opinion
opinion
Harold ScrubyComments
opinion
Deadly e-scooters should be outlawed on WA footpaths

These machines are already implicated in nine deaths since WA legalised e-rideables in 2021; two people killed in the past month alone.

Harold Scruby

In the decade before COVID, Australia experienced a “productivity paralysis”, averaging only 0.3 per cent growth per quarter.

opinion
opinion
Cian Hussey Comments
opinion
Middle-class dream is dying as it gets ‘smaller and poorer’

In a speech given in October 2021, now-Treasurer Jim Chalmers argued that the ‘global middle class is getting smaller, older, poorer, less mobile, more difficult to get into, and harder to stay in.’

Cian Hussey

Liam O’Brien is the assistant secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
It’s time Australia paid apprentices more

We do need to urgently increase apprenticeship starts, but first we must address the poor completion rate, Australia loses nearly 50 per cent of its apprentices with 80 per cent walking away.

Liam O’Brien

Ben Harvey explains why just about every Australian’s retirement savings could take a hit because of Donald Trump’s latest tariff tantrum.

WATCH VideoCommentsPremiumThe REAL danger of Donald’s tariffs to Australia

Ben Harvey explains why just about every Australian’s retirement savings could take a hit because of Donald Trump’s latest tariff tantrum.

Ben Harvey | Thu, July 10

US President Donald Trump.

opinion
opinion
MARK RILEYComments
opinion
Trump World: Where allies are met with a closed fist

When an Aussie PM can expect a warmer welcome in Beijing than Washington, we’re in unusual times.

Mark Riley

Mark Riley

The new anti-Semitism report is a work of moral heft, demonstrating a 300 per cent rise in anti-Semitism, that must be stamped out.

opinion
opinion
EDITORIAL
opinion
Anti-Semitism report must be a line in the sand

The new anti-Semitism report is a work of moral heft, demonstrating a 300 per cent rise in anti-Semitism, that must be stamped out.

Editorial

Emma Memma pictured with Nazeem Fahmi (9), Nate Fearnall (9) with his brother Arlo (3) and Charlee Hosking (10).

opinion
opinion
EditorialCommentsPremium
opinion
Telethon to return soon for another magical year

The countdown is on: Telethon is just 100 days away and this year’s event is set to be another blockbuster. 

Editorial

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti tests out the new 100% electric Transperth buses at the Malaga bus on Sunday.

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
Exciting movement with electric buses rolling out in WA

An exciting moment for public transport in WA with electric buses rolling out into the suburbs. Electric buses are now leaving the Malaga depot into key routes through Morley and Ballajura.

Rita Saffioti

WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas speaking during Budget Estimates in Parliament, in West Perth.

opinion
opinion
Basil ZempilasCommentsPremium
opinion
Rita’s race track is unpopular with her colleagues and WA

Who would have thought the real reason for Labor’s obsession with Rita’s race track would be delivered courtesy of former Labor premier Brian Burke?

Basil Zempilas

Orthocell chair John Van Der Wielen at Orthocell headquarters in the Murdoch Health Precinct.

opinion
opinion
John Van Der WielenComments
opinion
‘Culture of accountability’ is key in Crown Perth’s new era

Crown Perth is preparing to celebrate its 40th birthday on 30 December. Fittingly, it hits this milestone during the most transformative chapter in its history.

John Van Der Wielen

Ben Harvey gives the inside story of how a former Australian bikie who did five years in prison is about to take on the world’s greatest golfers at The British Open.

WATCHVideoCommentsPremiumHe hits a golf ball like you’d expect a bikie to. Hard.

Ben Harvey gives the inside story of how a former Australian bikie who did five years in prison is about to take on the world’s greatest golfers at The British Open.

Ben Harvey | Wed, July 9

Staff portrait Emma Garlett pictured in the studio.

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
Strength is at the heart of existing as an Aboriginal person

It’s NAIDOC Week, and that means an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and survival of First Nations people and commit to our ongoing empowerment.

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

Rally against Burswood race track at Parliament House

opinion
opinion
Brian BurkeCommentsPremium
opinion
Burswood race track plan is bread and circuses for bogans

Why is Government be so determined to proceed with a $217m racetrack no one wants? The answer is secret pre-election polling that convinced Labor strategists the party lacked support from the ‘bogan vote’.

Brian Burke

falling birth rate

opinion
opinion
OpinionComments
opinion
WA is being priced out of parenthood

It is no coincidence that, as the birthrate has been falling, so has the standard of living for West Australians.

Dean Smith

Mayor Fiona Argyle amongst the roses.

opinion
opinion
JESSICA PAGECommentsPremium
opinion
Nedlands saga shows things aren’t rosy in local governments

The door might be open, but it’s time to give some mayors a shove through it. 

Jessica Page

Jessica Page

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media in Sydney, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AAP Image/Steven Markham) NO ARCHIVING

opinion
opinion
EDITORIALComments
opinion
Now PM must salvage US relationship

That Anthony Albanese has managed to reset Australia’s relationship with China is perhaps the great achievement of his prime ministership to date. 

Ben Harvey unpacks the collapse of Nedlands City Council following a tumultuous time, including a public spat over plans for a Children’s Hospice in the suburb, with Mayor Fiona Argyle launching an extraordinary tirade on radio, delivering one of the all-time great trainwreck interviews.

WATCHVideoCommentsPremiumMayor delivers one of all-time great trainwreck interviews

Ben Harvey unpacks the collapse of Nedlands City Council following a tumultuous time, including a public spat over plans for a Children’s Hospice in the suburb.

Ben Harvey | Tue, July 8

Michele Bullock and the Reserve Bank kept rates on hold on Tuesday.

opinion
opinion
Matt MckenzieComments
opinion
Angry at rates shock? Here’s who you should be blaming

The Reserve Bank has given the middle finger to analysts and financial traders by holding interest rates steady on Tuesday. Rightly so.

Matt Mckenzie

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers speaks during a press conference regarding the latest inflation figures.

opinion
opinion
EDITORIALCommentsPremium
opinion
Labor has little to show for relieving cost of living crisis

In the lead-up to the Federal election, the cost of living was all any politician wanted to talk about. 

The seemingly harmless 'Grow a Garden' has sinister undertones, writes Ben O’Shea.

opinion
opinion
Ben O’SheaComments
opinion
Sinister side to kid’s ‘sedate’ online gardening game

If you pay even casual attention to what your children do on their devices, you may have heard the name Grow a Garden mentioned recently.

Ben O'Shea

Ben O'Shea

Children aren’t ‘for profit’ or ‘stable investments’ but that’s how they are viewed by an increasing majority of childcare providers, writes Katina Curtis.

analysis
analysis
Katina CurtisComments
analysis
Centres tagged as ‘great profits’ show childcare problems

Children aren’t ‘for profit’ or ‘stable investments’ but that’s how they are viewed by an increasing majority of childcare providers.

Katina Curtis

Katina Curtis

Melbourne endured a weekend of anti-Semitic hatred.

OpinionCommentsPolitical reactions are hollow in echo chambers of outrage

BREN CARLILL: Pro-Palestine activists believe that anyone who doesn’t wholly agree with them is complicit in genocide.

Bren Carlill

Tomorrow’s social engineering scams will be indistinguishable from real life, especially for older generations.

opinion
opinion
Andrew MillerCommentsPremium
opinion
Sophisticated scams and schemes are the stuff of nightmares

Tomorrow’s social engineering scams will be indistinguishable from real life, especially for older generations.

Andrew Miller

“The cost-of-living crisis has resulted in us borrowing more than ever to avoid extra expenses” says Gary Martin.

opinion
opinion
Gary MartinComments
opinion
Cost-of-living pressures give rise lending leeches

Lending things feels like an everyday act of generosity — until a simple favour turns into a long-term loan or, worse, a permanent farewell.

Gary Martin