Challenging WA’s Classification of Dingoes as Pests

Dingoes are Australia’s apex predator — vital for healthy ecosystems, and deeply significant to First Nations people. Yet in Western Australia, they are still targeted under outdated laws and officially listed as “declared pests”.

Amanda used a Question Without Notice to press the Government to face this contradiction. How can dingoes be recognised as a protected native species under one law, yet labelled pests under another? She asked the Minister to commit to reviewing their pest classification in line with the growing body of scientific evidence and reforms already adopted in other states.

Amanda also pushed for answers on when the long-overdue Wild Dog Action Plan will be reviewed. With WA clinging to outdated pest-control frameworks, dingoes remain caught between protection and persecution. Amanda made it clear: it’s time to stop treating dingoes as pests and start recognising them as the ecological and cultural guardians they are.