Country women protest for the first time in 94 years over education funding cuts

The West Australian Government has found itself under pressure from a force to be reckoned with.

More famous for its tea and scones, the Country Women's Association of WA has refrained from involving itself in politics for almost a century until now.

In the first rally of its 94-year history, hundreds of CWA members marched on the steps of WA parliament today to protest the closure of Moora Residential College, regional school camps and agriculture college funding cuts.

The organisation is hoping to force the Labor government to backflip on the $41 million cuts, as it did on its $23 million cuts to rural education after a massive backlash from country communities.

Premier Mark McGowan was heckled as he addressed the rally, blaming the debt left by the previous Liberal Government for forcing the measures.

CWA President Heather Allen said the association felt so strongly about the education cuts they decided to protest in a way they never had before.

She told the crowd “One women can achieve anything, many women can change everything.”

But it wasn’t all conflict, with protestors bringing a basket of their customary teas and scones – despite being denied permission by Parliamentary rules – for to the Premiere and Education Minister Sue Ellery.

Ms Ellery said she’d consider the protest today and ‘reflect’ on what could be done.