Media Release - 11 March 2026

The NSW minister responsible for the state’s failing shark net program claimed a whale death off Wollongong’s coastline was due to it being “sick” despite an expertly-prepared necroscopy ruling otherwise.

8 February 2026

Chris Minns has made a desperate attempt to distract from a state visit from accused war criminal Isaac Herzog with a high-visibility campaign to crush people’s e-bikes.

Wollongong Greens councillor and e-mobility advocate Jess Whittaker said the social media blitz on Sunday, the day before the Israeli president touches down, was a “heavy-handed flex from an unpopular government”.

Media Release - 12 November 2025

Greens Councillor Jess Whittaker has uncovered Wollongong Council was forced to cough up more than $44,000 to recover a nearly 5-tonne whale killed by a NSW Government-managed shark net off the city’s coast last month.

An answer to the Greens’ question on notice indicated that after the NSW Department of Primary Industries failed to secure and recover the deceased animal at sea, it drifted onto rocks at Scarborough, where it became the responsibility of the land manager.

“The responsibility for this horrific incident rests squarely with the NSW Government and the Agriculture Minister’s ineffective shark netting program,” said Whittaker, who is a long-time advocate against shark nets.

“The recovery of the deceased whale placed an immense toll on council staff and caused a work health and safety issue. In addition to this, Wollongong ratepayers are now expected to pick up the $44,043 bill for something the NSW Government mismanaged. It is pretty unreasonable.”

The Ward 1 councillor lauded the Wollongong Council staff who cleaned up the NSW Government’s mess despite being confronted by a dangerous operation.

“The whale could have been handled much more safely at sea when it was first discovered floating in the net,” Cr Whittaker said.

“Removing the animal from slippery rocks amongst the waves and other marine life, including Great White sharks, that had been attracted to the area made it a very challenging and dangerous operation.

“There is a touch of irony that in the end, shark nets, which are supposed to keep swimmers safe, in fact made the areas less safe with the closure of beaches up and down the coast for the week.

“There is strong evidence to suggest this happens on a smaller scale with bi-catch removed by contractors from shark nets, documented to have large bite marks in it when recovered from the nets.”

On Tuesday in NSW Parliament, Greens MLC Cate Faerhmann asked the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty about a request from Wollongong Council to cover the bill, to which she indicated there was no offer to cover these costs.

Media Statement - 29 October 2025

Comments from Ward 1 Councillor Jess Whittaker on the deceased whale found in Coledale shark net on 28th Oct 2025:

"It was harrowing to see what happened to this magnificent creature off the Illawarra coast, and what makes it all the more heartbreaking is that it was completely preventable.

“Decades of evidence show shark nets are not effective. They are are public safety hazard and they are a hazard to wildlife.

“The nets are essentially loose fishing devices that entangle marine life indiscriminately. This whale is just the latest of thousands of animals, including dolphins, turtles and rays, to be caught up and killed by these outdated nets.

“The NSW government was about to trial removing shark nets at some beaches before the death of a surfer in Sydney. They put the trial on hold, and while the incident was tragic, the government's actions do not make sense, as the beach where this incident occurred had a shark net.

“Premier Chris Minns and Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty need to step in and review the shark net program as well as invest in the state's SharkSmart program. We shouldn't wait until the end of the season when the impact of killer shark nets continues to plague our coasts.”

Media Statement - 22 September 2025

Bike riders across the state are celebrating today as the transport minister announced a softening of the proposed ban on e-bikes on Sydney Trains to include only modified e-bikes.

MEDIA RELEASE - 1 September 2025

Wollongong Ward 1 Greens councillor Jess Whittaker is calling for the $86.4 million dollar Sharksmart program fund to be redirected to non-lethal measures, after the NSW Government announced a “reduced” number of shark nets this season, to be redeployed from today.

Media Release 1 May 2025

Greens candidate for Cunningham Jess Whittaker has outlined how the 2025 Federal election is a once in a generation chance to vote for major change in Australia.

Media Release 21 April 2025

Greens candidate for Cunningham Jess Whittaker said a commitment to bring Australia's paid parental leave in line with the world's best practice would benefit thousands of families.

Media Release 31 March 2025

Greens Candidate for Cunningham Jess Whittaker is calling for the permanent removal of shark nets off the beaches of Cunningham.

Media Release 28 March 2025

With the announcement of the 2025 Federal Election, Greens candidate for Cunningham Jess Whittaker has a simple message as the Federal election begins: If you want change, you have to vote for it.