WA Parliament Convenes for Major Legislative Sessions Today

WA Parliament Convenes for Major Legislative Sessions Today

The Western Australian Parliament is scheduled for a significant day of government activity today, Thursday, 12 March 2026, as both houses convene at Parliament House in Perth. With the 2026 legislative calendar set for a condensed 19-week sitting schedule, today’s sessions are vital for progressing the government’s priority agenda and addressing a backlog of key legislation following the previous year's election cycle.

Proceedings are set to begin this morning with a meeting of the Estimates Committee at 10:30 AM. These hearings are a critical part of the state’s democratic process, providing a forum for members of Parliament to conduct detailed scrutiny of state finances and question government officials on the allocation of public funds. Following the committee session, the Legislative Assembly will formally convene at 12:00 PM, with the Legislative Council scheduled to follow at 1:00 PM.

Several major pieces of legislation are expected to be at the center of today’s debates. The government has identified the following as high-priority items for this sitting period:

• State Development Bill: A key initiative designed to streamline the approval processes for major infrastructure and industrial projects, aimed at boosting economic growth across the Perth metropolitan area and the wider state.
• Surrogacy Law Reform: Proposed updates to Western Australia’s surrogacy laws intended to modernize legal frameworks and provide better clarity and protection for families.
• Liquor Control and Safety Updates: New amendments to the Liquor Control Act and updated safety measures related to terrorism prevention, which have been flagged as essential legislative goals for the current term.

The urgency of today’s sessions is highlighted by the limited number of sitting weeks available in 2026. After a late start to the previous parliamentary year, the government is under pressure to ensure these significant bills are passed. Political analysts suggest that the efficiency of today’s proceedings will be a key indicator of how the government intends to manage its legislative priorities throughout the autumn period.

Members of the public are permitted to view the sessions from the public galleries at Parliament House on Harvest Terrace. Additionally, both chambers will be broadcasting their proceedings live via the official Parliament of Western Australia portal, allowing Perth residents to monitor the progress of these debates in real-time. As the state moves closer to the mid-year budget cycle, today's work in the Estimates Committee will also serve as a crucial foundation for upcoming financial scrutiny.