Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for April, 2023
Scientists scan Ningaloo water for deadly Irukandji DNA
Research into the venomous Irukandji jellyfish aims to provide an early detection system to help protest tourists at Ningaloo Reef. April 29, 2023 Scientists are working to better understand two dangerous jellyfish species found at a WA tourist hotspot in a bid to provide an early detection system. It is hoped early detection can be developed […]
Family anger at boy’s sentence for killing pregnant mum
A Perth teen who lay in wait behind a wall before throwing a concrete block that fatally injured a pregnant mother will serve five years in detention. April 28, 2023 A Perth teenager who hurled a concrete block at a car, fatally injuring a pregnant mother has been sentenced to five years in detention but […]
WA mum murdered three kids before burning them
Margaret Hawke, 36, has formally pleaded guilty to murdering her three children before burning their bodies in a house fire in the WA town of Port Hedland. April 28, 2023 A mother stabbed, strangled and suffocated her three children before burning their bodies in a house fire in a West Australian town. Margaret Dale Hawke, 36, […]
Teen who hit pregnant WA mum with brick to learn fate
A Perth teenager who laid in wait behind a wall before throwing a concrete block that fatally injured a pregnant mother is set to be sentenced. April 28, 2023 A Perth teenager who hurled a concrete block at a car and fatally injuring a pregnant mother was “laying in wait” behind a wall for the vehicle, […]
WA commits $420m to modernise mental health care
The WA government will boost the mental health budget by many millions to modernise patient care and expand services. April 27, 2023 The Western Australian government will boost mental health spending by $420 million to modernise patient care and expand services. The funding, to be included in the 2023-24 state budget in May, increases the state’s […]
Teen lay in wait for pregnant Perth mum hit by brick
A Perth teenager has faced court for sentencing after he admitted throwing a concrete block that fatally injured a pregnant mother. April 27, 2023 Family members of a pregnant Perth mother fatally injured when a teenager hurled a concrete block through a car window have sobbed in court as they watched videos of the tragic […]
Ousted WA Labor MP faces court over DV conviction
Expelled WA Labor Party member Ben Dawkins has failed to convince a magistrate the media should be banned from his next appearance over family violence charges. April 26, 2023 Expelled West Australian Labor Party member Ben Dawkins has failed to convince a court the media should be banned from his next appearance over family violence […]
Construction starts on WA’s Burrup amid outcry
Traditional owners have expressed outrage over the start of construction of a new fertiliser plant on WA’s world heritage nominated Burrup Peninsula. April 26, 2023 Construction of a new fertiliser plant has started on Western Australia’s world heritage nominated Burrup Peninsula, amid an outcry from traditional owners. Multinational petrochemical company Perdaman is building a $6 billion […]
WA health budget boost to clear emergency departments
The WA government will boost the health budget by $75 million in a bid to reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments and ambulance ramping. April 26, 2023 The Western Australian government will spend an additional $75 million in a bid to reduce ambulance ramping and increase available hospital beds. The funding, to be included in the […]
Complaints over top super funds’ Santos investments
Traditional owners have made human rights complaints to Australia’s top 20 superannuation companies over investments in gas producer Santos. April 26, 2023 Traditional owners in NSW and the Northern Territory have made human rights complaints against Australia’s top superannuation companies over investments in gas producer Santos. The complainants say 20 funds, including AustralianSuper, REST Super […]
Ex-nurse accused of indecently filming kids at schools
A former WA nurse has been charged with more historical sex crimes against minors after he allegedly filmed children outside several Perth schools. April 25, 2023 A former Western Australian mental health nurse has been charged with more historical sex crimes after he allegedly indecently filmed children outside Perth schools. Police allege the man, now […]
Millions to protect WA Indigenous cultural heritage
The Western Australian government will allocate $77 million in the 2023-24 state budget in May to better protect and manage Indigenous cultural heritage. April 24, 2023 The Western Australian government will spend $77 million in a bid to better protect and manage the state’s Indigenous cultural heritage following the destruction of Juukan Gorge rock shelters. The […]
Masterpiece vandal fights data access charge
An artist who defaced Frederick McCubbin’s Down On His Luck during a protest against Woodside Energy will fight a charge over access to her electronic device. April 24, 2023 An artist who defaced one of Australia’s most famous paintings during a gas company protest will fight a counter-terrorism charge over access to her electronic devices, labelling […]
NT govt pumping millions into health service upgrades
Budget funding for a new health centre and bereavement facility have been announced by the NT government along with upgrades to services and medical equipment. April 24, 2023 The Northern Territory government is set to spend millions upgrading hospitals and health centres across the region. Funding to be allocated in the Territory’s 2023/24 budget in […]
Stargazers pack up after total solar eclipse stuns
Travellers from around the world are packing up in Western Australia’s remote north after witnessing a rare total solar eclipse that turned day into night. April 21, 2023 Thousands of stargazers from around the globe are packing up in Western Australia’s remote north after being stunned by a rare total solar eclipse that turned day […]
Rare solar eclipse helps unlock sun’s fiery mystery
A century after scientists used a solar eclipse in WA’s remote north to prove Einstein’s most controversial theories, astrophysicists were back to learn more. April 20, 2023 The mystery of the sun will be further revealed as scientists delve into data recorded during a rare total solar eclipse in Western Australia’s remote north. It comes […]
Total solar eclipse wows world, emotions sky-high
Thousands of people travelled from around the globe to witness a rare total solar eclipse as the moon cast a 40km-wide shadow over the sun for 60 seconds. April 20, 2023 Cheers erupted and tears flowed as thousands of sightseers gathered in Western Australia’s red dirt to watch a total solar eclipse plunge day into darkness. The phenomenon fell […]
Sky-high emotions as total solar eclipse wows thousands
Thousands of people travelled from across the globe to see a rare total solar eclipse as the moon cast a 40km wide shadow over the sun for 60 seconds in WA. April 20, 2023 Thousands of sightseers gathered in Western Australia’s red dirt as a total solar eclipse plunged day into darkness for one minute during the rare […]
Total solar eclipse thrills thousands of tourists
Thousands are in Western Australia’s north are watching a rare total solar eclipse as the moon casts a 40km wide shadow over the sun for 60 seconds. April 20, 2023 A solar eclipse has plunged Western Australia’s North West Cape into darkness, thrilling thousands gathered to witness the rare celestial event. Darkness fell across the North West Cape about 11.29am […]
Total solar eclipse underway as thousands converge
Thousands have gathered in Western Australia’s north to watch a rare total solar eclipse when the moon casts a 40km wide shadow over the sun for 60 seconds. April 20, 2023 A solar eclipse that will turn day into night on Western Australia’s North West Cape has started, as thousands gather to witness the rare celestial […]
Countdown on as thousands gather for rare solar eclipse
Thousands of eclipse chasers from across the globe are set to witness a rare total solar eclipse as the sun vanishes from the sky in the remote Ningaloo region. April 20, 2023 Excitement is building on Western Australia’s North West Cape as thousands ready to witness a rare total solar eclipse that will turn day […]
Thousands to witness rare solar eclipse in remote WA
The countdown is on to a total solar eclipse that will turn day into night as the sun vanishes from the sky in WA’s remote Ningaloo region. April 20, 2023 Day is set to turn into night when the sun vanishes from the sky during a rare total solar eclipse on a remote peninsula on […]
They breed ’em tough at Ningaloo as coral warms to task
Scientists at WA’s World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef are breeding extra-tough coral capable of surviving climate change-induced mass bleaching events. April 19, 2023 Scientists are breeding extra-tough coral at Western Australia’s World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef in a bid to beat climate change-induced mass bleaching. Rising sea temperatures and devastating mass bleaching have significantly impacted coral on […]
Nullarbor rock reveals transformation from lush to dust
Researchers have discovered how long ago Australia’s Nullarbor Plain dried out, with a new approach shedding light on ancient climate. April 19, 2023 Scientists have discovered when climate change caused the Nullarbor Plain to dry out millions of years ago, shaping Australia’s diverse flora and fauna. Curtin University researchers measured iron-rich rocks that suggest the […]