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  • The Legislative Assembly meets on 11/11/2025 (01:00 PM)
    Assembly sit 11/11/2025
  • The Legislative Council meets on 11/11/2025 (01:00 PM)
    Council sit 11/11/2025

Parliamentary Friendship Groups

Parliamentary Friendship Groups are informal groups established by Members of the Parliament of Western Australia to raise awareness of, or increase liaison with, a particular group, organisation or issue. These groups are not formal entities of the Parliament.

The Parliamentary Friends of Korea

Convenors:

Hon Tjorn Sibma MLC, Convenor - tjorn.sibma@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9440 4422

Hon Dan Caddy MLC, Deputy Convenor - daniel.caddy@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9301 1896

The Parliamentary Friends of Korea is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join

Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the group are to further strengthen, across all fields of endeavour, the relationship between the Republic of Korea and Western Australia.

The Parliamentary Friends of France and the Francophone Community

Convenors:

Hon Dan Caddy MLC, Convenor - daniel.caddy@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9301 1896

Hon Nick Goiran MLC, Deputy Convenor - office.goiran@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9398 3800

The Parliamentary Friends of France and the Francophone Community is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and of any party to join.

Purpose

The aim and objectives of the group are to further strengthen, across all fields of endeavour, the relationship between France and Western Australia.

The Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care

Convenors:

Hon Nick Goiran MLC, Convenor - nick.goiran@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9398 3800

Hon Kate Doust MLC, Deputy Convenor - kate.doust@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9470 3511

The Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

Aims and objectives

  • facilitate communication between people and organisations working in palliative care and Members of Parliament;
  • provide opportunities for Members of Parliament to learn about palliative care needs and services and the issues involved in palliative care provision;
  • increase awareness and raise the profile of palliative care in the community generally; and
  • promote an understanding of palliative care in accordance with the World Health Organisation’s definition of palliative care, noting in particular that palliative care “intends neither to hasten or postpone death”, and that this definition of palliative care has been endorsed by Palliative Care Australia and Palliative Care WA.

The Parliamentary Friends of WA Wines

Convenors:

Hon Dr Steve Thomas MLC, Convenor - steve.thomas@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9792 5628

Michelle Maynard MLA, Deputy Convenor - michelle.maynard@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9296 7688

Bevan Eatts MLA, Deputy Convenor - bevan.eatts@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9848 3171

The Parliamentary Friends of WA Wines is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

Purpose

The purpose of the Parliamentary Friends of WA Wines is:

  • to advocate for the development and extension of the Western Australian wine industry;
  • to look for opportunities to encourage the promotion of WA wines, including for export;
  • to ensure the high standards of quality and safety of the WA wine industry are maintained; and
  • to engage with industry and research experts in the sector.

The Parliamentary Friends of Veterans and Veteran Families

Convenors:

Hon Phil Twiss MLC, Convenor - phil.twiss@mp.wa.gov.au - TBA

Hon Dan Caddy MLC, Deputy Convenor - daniel.caddy@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9301 1896

The Parliamentary Friends of Veterans and Veteran Families is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the group are to further strengthen the relationship between Veterans Organisations, (Ex-Service Organisations) the broader Veterans Community and Members of the 42nd West Australian Parliament.

The Parliamentary Friends of Thoroughbred Racing

Convenors:

Ali Kent MLA, Convenor - ali.kent.mla@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9021 6766

Lachlan Hunter MLA, Deputy Convenor - lachlan.hunter@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9622 2871

The Parliamentary Friends of Thoroughbred Racing will provide a platform for Members of Parliament to engage with racing stakeholders, learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, and celebrate the economic, cultural, and community benefits that thoroughbred racing delivers across metropolitan and regional WA.

Aims and Objectives

  • Strengthen relationships and facilitate communication between Members of Parliament and key participants in the thoroughbred racing industry;
  • Promote the role of thoroughbred racing as a major employer and contributor to WA’s regional economies and local communities;
  • Encourage and support greater participation in thoroughbred racing, particularly through ownership, training, breeding, volunteering and attending events;
  • Highlight the social, cultural, and historical significance of thoroughbred racing across Western Australia; and
  • Support responsible practices in animal welfare and industry integrity, while recognising the social and economic importance of thoroughbred racing to many communities across the State.

The Parliamentary Friends of Cricket

Convenors:

Hon Andrew O'Donnell MLC, Convenor - Andrew.ODonnell@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9201 6007

Peter Rundle MLA, Deputy Convenor - Peter.Rundle@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9071 6555

The Parliamentary Friends of Cricket is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

Aims and Objectives

To promote and support WA Cricket and foster greater participation in cricket in the Western Australian community.

The Parliamentary Friends of Africa

Convenors:

Hon Ayor Makur Chuot MLC, Convenor - Ayor.Makurchuot@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9344 1686

Hon Steve Thomas MLA, Deputy Convenor - Steve.Thomas@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9792 5628

Terry Healy MLA, Deputy Convenor - Terry.Healy@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9256 4900

The Parliamentary Friends of Africa is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

Aims and Objectives

  • To provide opportunities for all members of Parliament to establish strong relationships with the African community in Western Australia and with the people of Africa.
  • To advocate for and engage with relevant African community groups both locally and abroad.
  • To foster cultural links, develop friendly relations, and enhance interactions with African community groups, businesses, and countries.

The Parliamentary Friends of Serbia

Convenors:

Hon Klara Andric MLC, Convenor - Klara.Andric@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9337 9176

Hon Steve Thomas MLA, Deputy Convenor - Steve.Thomas@mp.wa.gov.au - (08) 9792 5628

The Parliamentary Friends of Serbia is open for Members from either House of Parliament of Western Australia, and any party to join.

Aims and Objectives

Cultural Exchange
Promote awareness and appreciation of Serbian culture, traditions, and heritage within the WA Parliament and broader community.

Economic and Educational Links
Explore opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, education, and tourism between WA and Serbia.

Support Bilateral Relations
Complement federal efforts to strengthen Australia-Serbian relations by fostering local initiatives and partnerships.