Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for August, 2023
Killings spark call for swift action on family violence
In the wake of recent killings, survivors of domestic violence have met with the premier and senior police demanding greater action and support for victims. August 31, 2023 Survivors urge immediate action by the West Australian government after recent killings amid a surge in domestic violence. Advocates met with the premier and deputy premier, senior […]
Safety watchdog probes Twiggy’s rock party at mine site
Worksafe WA says it is conducting inquiries into Andrew Forrest’s gala mine site party celebrating Fortescue Metals Group’s 20-year anniversary. August 31, 2023 Western Australia’s safety regulator has been alerted to an incident at billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest’s mine site party celebrating his company’s success. Hundreds of business leaders and mine workers flew to Fortescue […]
Groups slam Qld youth detention reforms in open letter
Indigenous activists, legal experts, advocates and social service groups have called on the Queensland government to axe its youth justice watch house laws. August 31, 2023 More than 180 human rights and legal experts, social justice organisations and Indigenous community groups have condemned Queensland law changes allowing children to be detained in police watch houses. An […]
Fraudster cops jail as ATO cracks down on GST rorts
A convicted fraudster has been imprisoned after illegally claiming more than $100,000 in dodgy GST refunds from the tax office for a non-existent business. August 30, 2023 A fraudster will spend at least 12 months behind bars after illegally claiming thousands of dollars in goods and services tax refunds. Justin McCormick was convicted of five […]
WA MP convicted of child abuse disqualified after trial
Former West Australian Nationals MP James Hayward has had his parliamentary fate made official as he awaits sentencing on child sexual abuse charges. August 29, 2023 An independent MP convicted of child sexual abuse has been formally disqualified from Western Australia’s parliament and his seat vacated. James Dorrin Hayward, 53, was found guilty on Monday of […]
WA MP found guilty of child abuse disqualified
The WA parliament is set to announce that James Hayward’s South West seat is vacant after he was disqualified following his conviction for child sexual abuse. August 29, 2023 The West Australian parliament is poised to announce that a former Nationals MP convicted of child sexual abuse has been disqualified as a member of the […]
Missing Indigenous man’s death ‘a mystery’: coroner
A WA coroner says the circumstances surrounding Richard Milgin’s disappearance and death almost 30 years ago are “destined to remain a mystery”. August 29, 2023 The disappearance and death of an Indigenous man involved in a forbidden relationship is likely to remain a mystery after a coroner failed to unearth fresh evidence. Richard Milgin, 24, […]
WA MP found guilty of indecently dealing with a child
A jury has found West Australian MP James Hayward guilty of two counts of child sex abuse and acquitted him of two others. August 28, 2023 West Australian MP James Hayward has been convicted of child sexual abuse after a six-day trial that was told he confessed to the crimes in a note to his […]
Jury retires in trial of MP accused of child sex abuse
A jury is considering its verdict in the trial of a WA MP fighting child sex abuse charges after he allegedly confessed to the offences in a note to his wife. August 28, 2023 The jury in the trial of a West Australian MP who allegedly confessed to child sexual abuse in a note to […]
Stars head west for Australia’s richest film prize
The production designer of the hit series Game of Thrones will join an all-star cast of screen industry heavyweights at Australia’s richest film prize. August 26, 2023 An all-star cast of screen industry heavyweights will judge Australia’s richest film prize, as actor Hugo Weaving heads west to watch a world premiere starring Sam Neill and […]
Judge urges mediation in Reynolds’ defamation cases
A judge has urged for Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds’ defamation cases against Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz to go to mediation amid mental health concerns. August 24, 2023 Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds’ high-profile defamation cases against Brittany Higgins and the former political staffer’s partner may be heading to mediation, as a judge raises concerns about […]
Woodside activists hit with violence restraining orders
A WA court has granted violence restraining orders against a group of climate activists who allegedly targeted the home of Woodside Energy’s chief executive. August 23, 2023 A court has issued violence restraining orders against a group of climate activists over a failed protest at the Woodside Energy boss’s family home, with claims it muzzles […]
MP told cops child abuse admission ‘to protect family’
An MP on trial for child sexual abuse charges says he wrote a note admitting the crimes to protect his family and the alleged victim but he’s not guilty. August 23, 2022 A West Australian MP fighting child sexual abuse charges says an email he wrote admitting the alleged crimes was a bid to protect […]
Abuse-accused WA MP’s ‘suicide note’ read to court
A West Australian MP on trial for the alleged abuse of an eight-year-old girl wrote a tragic suicide note to his wife admitting the crimes. August 22, 2023 A suicide note written by a West Australian MP on trial for child sexual abuse to his wife admitting to the alleged crimes has been read to […]
Witness accused of lying, MP child abuse trial
West Australian MP James Hayward is on trial after pleading not guilty to four charges relating to the alleged abuse of an eight-year-old girl over two years. August 22, 2023 A witness has been recalled to the trial of a West Australian MP accused of child sexual abuse amid allegations she withheld evidence. James Dorrin […]
MP fighting child abuse charges ‘confessed to wife’
West Australian MP James Hayward sent an email to his wife admitting child abuse before he was charged, his trial has been told. August 21, 2023 A West Australian MP on trial for child sexual abuse admitted the crimes in an email to his wife before he was charged, a court has been told. James […]
Rinehart’s row with son: ‘throw him under the bus’
Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has been accused of making threats, intimidation and lying during a bitter family dispute over Lang Hancock’s legacy. August 17, 2023 Billionaire Gina Rinehart threatened and blackmailed her son while urging his lawyer to “throw him under the bus” amid a bitter family feud over Lang Hancock’s legacy, a court […]
Leading lights to illuminate next-generation filmmakers
The producer of the hit animated series South Park is among screen industry experts headed to WA to inspire the next generation of movie makers. August 17, 2023 An all-star cast of screen industry heavyweights are heading west to inspire and educate the next generation of Australian filmmakers. The producer of hit TV satire South […]
Fears poachers hunting crocodiles in north Queensland
Wildlife officers are investigating whether poachers are working in north Queensland after a crocodile carcass was found with a bait hook and rope in its gut. August 17, 2023 Authorities are investigating whether poachers are hunting crocodiles in north Queensland after a carcass was found with a bait hook and rope in its gut. Wildlife […]
Alleged Rinehart plan to boost wealth at kids’ expense
Gina Rinehart allegedly tasked the forerunner to PricewaterhouseCoopers with a “special project” to undo her father’s legacy at the expense of her children. August 16, 2023 Billionaire Gina Rinehart tasked Price Waterhouse with a confidential project to undo her mining pioneer father’s legacy and boost her shareholding in the family company at her children’s expense, […]
Dad’s letter to Rinehart: ‘please leave me in peace’
Gina Rinehart’s father, mining pioneer Lang Hancock, wrote to his daughter in a bid to sever their ties amid a bitter dispute in the years before he died. August 15, 2023 Mining pioneer Lang Hancock attempted to sever ties with his daughter Gina Rinehart in the years before he died, a trial over billions of dollars […]
Gina Rinehart defrauded her children, lawyer alleges
Billionaire Gina Rinehart committed fraud with iron ore mining tenements now worth billions of dollars, a lawyer for her two eldest children has told a court. August 14, 2023 Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart devised an “egregious” scheme to defraud her children and lied about it, a trial over billions of dollars in iron ore […]
Rinehart accuses media of ignoring truth about family
Gina Rinehart says she and her father were close before he died as a court hears the pair had a “major rift” over racial slurs about his wife Rose Porteous. August 14, 2023 Reclusive mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has accused the media of ignoring the truth in its coverage of a trial over billions of […]
Rinehart’s rift with dad over his lover heard at trial
Gina Rinehart’s lawyers have argued Lang Hancock’s corporate breaches before he died extinguish a competing mining dynasty’s claim for a stake in her riches. August 8, 2023 The once fractious relationship between Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, and her mining pioneer father before he died has been laid bare at a trial over billions of […]