Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for May, 2023
WA’s big budget surplus to fight cost of living crisis
Premier and Treasurer Mark McGowan is expected to reveal a healthy surplus and spending to fight inflation in the WA budget. May 11, 2023 Flush with funds amid surging commodity prices, Western Australia is set to deliver another budget surplus, along with sweeping measures to fight the cost of living. The surplus in Thursday’s state budget […]
WA premier says youth detention centre riot ‘terrorism’
Most inmates involved in a major disturbance at Perth’s Banksia Hill Juvenile Detention Centre have surrendered, authorities say. May 10, 2023 Most inmates involved in a major disturbance involving dozens of juveniles at Perth’s Banksia Hill Detention Centre have surrendered, as authorities regain control of the troubled facility. A furious premier Mark McGowan said the […]
Family demands action after teen’s death in custody
The family of an Indigenous teenager who died in hospital after trying to take his own life in prison say mental health care in WA prisons is culturally unsafe. May 9, 2023 The family of an Indigenous teenager who died in hospital after attempting to take his own life at a Perth prison have made […]
Teen self-harmed in lead-up to death in custody
An inquest into the death in custody of a young Indigenous man has heard he’d self- harmed before he was found at a Perth prison in a critical condition. May 9, 2023 An Indigenous teenager had been self-harming in the week before he attempted to take his own life in a storeroom at a privately […]
WA to spend millions preparing for green energy
The West Australian government will allocate $126 million to preparing the state’s electricity grid for an expected surge in demand for green energy. May 9, 2023 Western Australia will spend $126 million preparing the state’s electricity grid for a massive surge in green energy demand. The state government funding, to be included in Thursday’s 2023/2024 […]
WA to pay higher education debts of nurses, midwives
The WA government will allocate $4.2m in its budget to use as an incentive to help get nurses and midwives to work in remote areas. May 8, 2023 Nurses and midwives will get help to pay off their university debts in a bid by the Western Australian government to attract more workers to remote and […]
BHP worker awoke to colleague raping her, court told
A Pilbara mine worker has accused a colleague of sexually assaulting her while she was passed out drunk but the man maintains the sex was consensual. May 8, 2023 A BHP worker says she woke up to find a colleague raping her after a night of heavy drinking at a mining camp in Western Australia’s Pilbara […]
Ousted WA Labor member returns to court over DV charges
Expelled WA Labor Party member Ben Dawkins has failed to convince a court he should be allowed to change his guilty plea to dozens of domestic violence charges. May 8, 2023 Expelled West Australian Labor Party member Ben Dawkins has failed to convince a magistrate he should be allowed to change his guilty plea for […]
Life sentence for mother who murdered, burned kids
Margaret Hawke has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum non-parole period of 25 years, for murdering her three children and burning their bodies. May 5, 2023 A mother who stabbed, strangled and suffocated her three children before burning their bodies in a house fire will spend at least 25 years behind bars. […]
Hundreds of corruption charges dropped over police delay
Jacob Anthonisz’ lawyer says the Perth physiotherapist is both relieved and frustrated after prosecutors dropped 542 corruption charges against him. May 5, 2023 Prosecutors have dropped all 542 corruption charges against a West Australian physiotherapist accused of participating in the theft of more than $20 million in public funds. The Crown had accused Jacob Anthonisz, 46, […]
WA mum who murdered, burned three kids to be sentenced
Port Hedland mother Margaret Hawke, who admitted murdering her three children before burning their bodies in a house fire, is due to be sentenced. May 5, 2023 A mother who admitted stabbing, strangling and suffocating her three children before burning their bodies in a house fire in a West Australian town is set to learn […]
WA housing affordability is deteriorating, says report
Housing affordability has significantly deteriorated in Western Australia due to rising interest rates and limited supply, a report says. May 5, 2023 Housing affordability in Western Australia has significantly deteriorated over the past two years due to rising interest rates and limited supply, with experts warning there’s no end in sight. Loan delinquency among new […]
Magistrate encourages Violet CoCo’s ‘noble’ protesting
A Perth court has commended high-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo after she spray-painted a gas company’s logo on a Perth police station. May 4, 2023 A magistrate has commended high-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo’s protest activity but said she had gone “too far” defacing a Perth police station with spray paint. Deanna “Violet” Maree […]
WA public hospitals to be transformed by $1.2b spend
The WA government will allocate $1.2 billion in its budget to “transform” public hospitals across the state, providing more beds and additional services. May 4, 2023 Western Australia will spend more than a billion dollars to transform public hospital infrastructure across the state, providing more beds and additional services. The $1.2 billion of state government […]
Magistrate labels Violet CoCo’s protesting ‘noble’
A Perth court has commended high-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo after she spray-painted a gas company’s logo on a Perth police station. May 4, 2023 A magistrate has commended high-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo’s protest activity but said she had gone “too far” defacing a Perth police station with spray paint. Deanna “Violet” Maree […]
Millions to help WA regions beat sky-high airfares
The WA government has allocated an extra $21 million to continue aviation schemes that improve remote airstrips and subsidise regional airfares. May 4, 2023 Western Australia will spend an extra $21 million to continue aviation schemes that help residents in regional areas beat sky-high airfares and climate change. The state government funding, to be included […]
NSW climate activist Violet CoCo to face Perth court
NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo is set to face a Perth court for criminal damage after she allegedly sprayed a Woodside Energy logo on a police station. May 4, 2023 High-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo is expected to face court after spending the night behind bars after allegedly spray-painting a gas company’s logo on […]
NSW climate activist Violet CoCo denied bail in Perth
NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo has been charged and denied bail in Perth after allegedly spraying a Woodside Energy logo on a police station. May 3, 2023 High-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo will spend the night behind bars after she spray-painted a gas company’s logo on a Perth police station during a protest. Deanna […]
Legacy centenary torch ignited as national tour begins
Former WA governor Kim Beazley has lit the Legacy centenary torch as it starts a journey around Australia to commemorate the charity’s work over the past 100 years. May 3, 2023 The Legacy centenary torch has been lit in Western Australia at its first stop on a six-month tour around the nation to commemorate the […]
Pilots escape burning firebomber through cockpit window
Two pilots who survived a large air tanker crash in Western Australia were trapped in the plane as it started to burn before finding a way out of the wreckage. May 3, 2023 The pilots of a Boeing 737 large air tanker that burst into flames after it crashed in Western Australia while fighting a […]
Vape detector trial to stop ‘scourge’ at WA schools
The WA government will install vape detectors at 10 schools during a trial aimed at stopping students inhaling from electronic cigarettes on school grounds. May 3, 2023 Western Australia’s education department will trial vape detectors in school toilets in a bid to stop students inhaling from electronic cigarettes. Minister for Education Tony Buti says the […]
Commissioner defends police search of journalist’s home
WA’s police chief has defended the search of a journalist’s home and car in relation to protest action against industrial construction near Aboriginal rock art. May 3, 2023 Western Australia’s police commissioner has defended the treatment of a journalist who had her home searched and equipment seized during an investigation into a protest. AAP has […]
NSW climate activist Violet CoCo arrested in Perth
NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo has been arrested in Perth after allegedly spraying a Woodside logo on a police station. May 3, 2023 High-profile NSW environmental activist Violet CoCo has been arrested after travelling across the country and spraying a gas company’s logo on a Perth police station. Activist group Disrupt Burrup Hub says it […]
Legacy centenary torch relay ignites for national tour
The Legacy centenary torch has arrived in Albany where former deputy prime minister Kim Beazley will start its journey around Australia. May 3, 2023 The Legacy centenary torch has touched down in Western Australia before a tour around the nation to commemorate the charity’s important work supporting defence families during the past 100 years. The […]