King’s Birthday Honours: How Royalties for Regions father Brendan Grylls became ‘accidental politician’

One of the most vocal critics in WA’s GST fight who fiercely campaigned for a 75 cent floor has warned the political cost of any change would be “literally every single seat” in the State.

In the face of increased agitation from eastern states and a looming Productivity Review, former WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls issued a stern warning.

Accepting a Medal of the Order of Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours, Mr Grylls said championing WA’s fair share at its agonising low point of 30 cents for every dollar generated was one of many proud political moments.

Mr Grylls was honoured for his service “to the people and Parliament of Western Australia” after a 16-year career which included his time as party leader in 2005-2013 and again in 2016-17.

With nothing but a forklift and farming experience, Mr Grylls admits he was an “accidental politician” at just 28 when he won a 2001 by-election triggered by retirement of former leader Hendy Cowan.

“If a government changed the GST deal they would lose every West Australian seat at the next election. I don’t care what base they start from,” he said.

“You’d be pretty brave — pretty brave — to want to change it.

“I would doubt whether a Prime Minister and federal Treasurer would want to have a political fight. It would absolutely cost them.”

Before WA’s sole Nationals Federal MP in the past few decades Tony Crook, Mr Grylls introduced motions in the WA Parliament calling on the Federal Government to amend legislation to establish a GST floor.

He had argued that it was completely unfair for WA taxpayers to bear the “boom” infrastructure bill required to support the nation’s wealth-creating resource sector.

“Having been close to the fight but in the formative years — it is very near and dear to Western Australia hearts,” he said.

“I would suggest that if someone did change it, that that party would lose every seat in WA at the next Federal election, literally every single seat.

“I’d say you’d need to calculate your numbers and decide if you’d ever want to get elected in Western Australia again.”

Labor’s support in WA has held firm in recent elections off the back of former Premier Mark McGowan’s COVID-era popularity despite the State’s mostly conservative history.

Federally, Labor holds 11 of WA’s 16 seats and continues to have a red wave of State seats under Premier Roger Cook.

Mr Grylls also acknowledged his former Nationals colleagues during his time in Parliament, saying the medal was also a recognition of their work.

Mr Grylls was known for being a political disrupter who fought for the regions, securing billions in funding for regional WA through Royalties for Regions.

After his re-election and shift north, Mr Grylls capitalise on a hung parliament to push then-Liberal Premier Colin Barnett to back his royalties proposal.

“I had a lot of scar tissue. When we won the balance of power, we didn’t take a backward step,” he said.

“I even look back now and say, geez, ‘we’re very brave’ but by being brave, we created the outcome,” he said.

“It’s a recognition of a little team that came together and did something pretty unique in Western Australia’s politics. I celebrate that moment in history as a good thing.

“It’s a great honour.”

While keeping busy in the private sector and raising three sons with his wife, Mr Grylls — who is a life member of the National Party — still lends his political expertise whenever former party colleagues reach out.

Mr Grylls is one of several former parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to be recognised in this years’ honours, alongside Ben Wyatt, Fran Logan, David Templeman, Mick Murray and Chris Ellison.

Former Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman and ex Federal Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, were awarded Companions of the Order (AC), the highest recognition for outstanding achievement and service through the annual honours.