Basil's 10: Winton's Duplicitous School Excuse Doesn't Pass Pub Test
By Basil Zempilas
The West Australian, Thursday, 5 February 2026, 7:00 PM
From the Education Department's significant pitfalls to Austin Appelbee's remarkable heroics, it has been a substantial week for Western Australia, as highlighted by Basil Zempilas.
1. Esperance Senior High School's Building Defects
According to the Education Department's own assessments, Esperance Senior High School holds the unfortunate distinction of having the most building defects among all 834 WA public schools, with a staggering 121 issues documented. This represents a catalogue of disaster and despair that has persisted for years. The incredibly resilient students and staff continue to do their best under challenging circumstances, but their endurance raises a critical question: why should people in regional areas be treated like second-class citizens? As the Esperance community emphasized this week, the government appears capable of progressing with projects like a racetrack while neglecting vital school enhancements.
2. Denied School Visit Request
I had hoped to visit the school to gain a deeper understanding of the community's ongoing grievances. Following protocol, Upper House colleague Steve Martin and I wrote to Education Minister Sabine Winton to request permission, but we were denied. The Minister provided an excuse about not wishing to disrupt the first day of the new school year. However, this reasoning falls flat when considering that her own social media feed, along with the Premier's, showed both of them visiting schools on that very same day. This inconsistency fails the pub test and highlights a lack of transparency.
3. Recognition for Austin Appelbee
No one should forget the name Austin Appelbee. His actions warrant recognition in the next round of bravery awards, and I nominate him early as a strong contender for Young Australian of the Year in 2026. His courage serves as an inspiration to all West Australians.
4. Terror Charges in Forrest Place Incident
Police have now charged the man who allegedly threw a bomb into a crowd at Forrest Place with engaging in an act of terror. This is a positive step. The extremist ideology that police allege motivated this monstrous act has no place in Western Australia, and such charges underscore our commitment to safety and justice.
5. Housing Affordability Crisis
The first 17 words of a story on page four of Thursday's West should weigh extremely heavily on the Cook Labor Government: "Desperate first-homebuyers have all but given up on being able to afford a home in WA." This statement reflects a deepening crisis. What do young West Australians have if they lose hope? The government must address this issue urgently to restore faith in the future.
6. Economic Pressures and Government Spending
With inflation rising and interest rates climbing, the economic narrative is troubling. While pressure mounts on Jim Chalmers to cut spending, we must not let Premier Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti off the hook. They are deeply implicated in government overspending, contributing to the financial strain faced by households across the state.
7. Call for Coronial Inquest in Mosman Park
There should be a coronial inquest into the suspected double-murder suicide in Mosman Park. This is the right course of action for Leon and Otis, and it is essential for the grieving community. Such an inquiry can provide clarity and support during a difficult time.
8. CrossSafe Initiative for School Crossing Safety
In response to growing concerns about school crossing safety in the electorate of Churchlands and beyond, I have launched an initiative called CrossSafe. This program aims to bring together school leaders, parents, traffic wardens, and other local representatives to address the escalating incidence of near-misses and the availability of traffic wardens. By fostering collaboration, we can identify and implement effective solutions to enhance safety for our children.
9. Traffic Warden Shortages Statewide
In my electorate alone, only eight of 16 schools have WA Police-allocated traffic wardens, indicative of an ongoing statewide shortage. The current system lacks flexibility, contributing to unattended crossings and making it difficult to find replacement wardens. Initiatives like CrossSafe Churchlands are crucial to tackling this issue and ensuring safer school environments.
10. New Swimming Pool for Perth
Another swimming pool for the City of Perth is a welcome addition. It never rains, but it pours when it comes to community amenities, and this development is a positive step for local recreation and wellness.
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