Esperance Monthly Magazine – Issue one

MR RICK WILSON MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR O’CONNOR

16th January 2026

Esperance Monthly Magazine – Issue one

Congratulations to Roz for seizing an opportunity to continue to provide the Esperance community with a space to tell their stories and as a publication of record.

The pace of change that the internet and mobile phones has delivered has meant that the written word published in a newspaper is disappearing in printed form to be replaced by digital formats that are more ephemeral.

In the last week of Parliament in 2025 despite the Albanese Government’s last-minute rush to pass legislation I was able to deliver a short statement to recognise the great work done by Malcolm Heasman and the team at the Esperance Weekender to fill a void when the previous masthead, a Covid casualty closed in 2020.

This Esperance publication with a monthly magazine format will not provide the same style of reporting that a daily or weekly can deliver, but it will be the opportunity to tell the stories of your community, record significant events and note the celebrations of your community. 

The publication schedule will make Australia Day seem like a distant memory when the second edition comes out, but it is a credit to the community of Esperance in how it celebrates and takes the opportunity to recognise the great work of individuals and groups on the day.

The sheer size of O’Connor and the choices available to attend Australia Day events does mean I am not able to support as many as I would like. 

The year ahead...

Federal Parliament was recalled early to sit for two days with condolence motions for the victims of the tragedy in Bondi on December 14, 2025 as the first order of business.  The omnibus bill “Combatting Anti-Semitism and Extremism” combining hate speech law and gun reforms, was presented as the solution to a problem that had been ignored for two years.

It will be my job along with my coalition colleagues to hold the Prime Minister and his cabinet accountable for every decision they make. This includes the non-decisions when they obfuscate, delay and fail to take responsibility or the lack of transparency in processes.

When Mr Albanese finally unveiled the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to be led by Virginia Bell, it was in response to an ever-growing cohort of leaders in business, sport and the community calling for it.  No leadership was shown by the PM or his cabinet members.

The Royal Commission and the legislation to deal with hate speech and gun law reform will provide the Albanese government with cover to distract the media and the public from the issues at the heart of the shootings.

Legitimate questions on immigration, freedom of speech and national security are likely to be brushed away with reference to the Royal Commission or the Richardson Review looking at federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

For everyone living in Esperance or anywhere across the electorate of O’Connor, you are my first responsibility, and I and my staff will continue in 2026 to serve your interests and assist to solve problems.

I look forward to welcoming students visiting Canberra during sitting weeks and appreciate seeing constituents from O’Connor in Parliament House, especially if we have advance notice.

Apart from my office in Esperance, you can contact my staff in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Manjimup, contact details on my website, www.rickwilson.com.au

ENDS

Media Contact:

Reuben Keyser
Communications and Community Engagement Adviser
[email protected]
(08) 9842 2777
0455 125 035