Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for August, 2023
Slain mum of three remembered as gentle, loving
A 35-year-old mother of three allegedly murdered by her former partner has been remembered as a beautiful and gentle person with a zeal for life. August 9, 2023 A woman allegedly murdered by her former partner in horrific circumstances was a beautiful and loving mother with a zeal for life, her family says. Tiffany Woodley, […]
Teen accused of shooting at school facing more charges
Prosecutors have laid extra charges against a 15-year-old boy accused of firing multiple gunshots at a school classroom in Western Australia. August 9, 2023 A teenager accused of firing multiple gunshots at a school classroom in Perth’s northern suburbs has been hit with more charges. The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was […]
Wrights knew Hancock held tenements in 1989, court told
Billionaire Gina Rinehart’s lawyers have argued a memo shows the heirs of mining pioneer Peter Wright have no claim to the Hope Downs mining project. August 9, 2023 The descendants of mining pioneer Peter Wright have known for three decades they had no right to royalties from a massive mining project that helped make Gina […]
Cook shrugs off Indigenous anger of heritage backflip
The WA premier says many Aboriginal people are happy the state’s heritage laws will be axed because they didn’t like the division they sparked in the community. August 9, 2023 West Australian Premier Roger Cook has shrugged off criticism from disappointed Indigenous groups after the state’s Labor government dumped month-old cultural heritage laws. Puutu Kunti […]
Independent review praises WA’s COVID response
An independent expert review of the West Australian government’s COVID-19 response found it acted swiftly, and with agility. August 9, 2023 An independent review of the West Australian government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic found it acted swiftly, with strength and agility, but still could have done better. The expert panel examined the state’s economic, […]
Controversial cultural heritage laws dumped in backflip
The West Australian government has scrapped controversial laws designed to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage following months of anger among farmers. August 8, 2023 The West Australian government has axed controversial month-old cultural heritage laws following widespread anger among the farming community. Premier Roger Cook announced the backflip after days of talks with stakeholders that agreed […]
WA dumps controversial cultural heritage laws
The West Australian government has scrapped controversial laws designed to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage following months of anger among farmers. August 8, 2023 The West Australian government has axed controversial month-old cultural heritage laws following widespread anger among the farming community. Premier Roger Cook announced the backflip after days of talks with stakeholders that revealed […]
Rocky path to WA’s cultural heritage laws backflip
Controversial laws designed to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage sparking anger among farmers have been scrapped a month after coming into effect. August 8, 2023 WESTERN AUSTRALIA REPEALS CONTROVERSIAL 2021 CULTURAL HERITAGE LAWS * Rio Tinto destroyed a 46,000-year-old Aboriginal rock shelter at Juukan Gorge in WA’s northwest in May 2020 * The incident sparked global […]
Rhodes’ mining riches claim has fatal flaw, court told
Billionaire Gina Rinehart’s lawyers have started their defence against claims by two prospectors for billion-dollar stakes in a lucrative iron ore project. August 7, 2023 A prospector fighting for a slice of the mining riches that helped Gina Rinehart become Australia’s wealthiest person has a fatal flaw in its legal case, a court has been […]
Caution urged around railway lines as deaths mount
Australians are being urged to take more care when around the nation’s rail network, as statistics reveal seven people die in rail-related incidents per month. August 7, 2023 Pedestrians and drivers are being urged to take more care when crossing railway lines or standing at platforms, as statistics reveal seven people die on the Australian […]
QLD youth crime climbs, opposition calls for action
Queensland’s opposition says the number of “hardcore” repeat youth offenders has doubled in the past two years and the Palaszczuk government must act. August 6, 2023 Queensland’s opposition has called for the justice system to get tougher on young offenders, claiming the Sunshine State is lawless. LNP leader David Crisafulli says the number of “hardcore” […]
Corruption watchdog called in for police shooting probe
Queensland’s corruption watchdog will help investigate a fatal police shooting of a man described as a high-risk offender, north of Brisbane. August 6, 2023 Queensland’s corruption watchdog will oversee an investigation into the fatal police shooting of a man who allegedly threatened officers with a handgun. Commissioner Katarina Carroll says she is concerned about a […]
WA cultural heritage law decision soon
The WA government says it will make a final decision about its cultural heritage laws soon, amid reports it plans to dump the controversial changes. August 6, 2023 The West Australian government says a final decision about changes to its controversial cultural heritage laws will be made soon, amid reports it plans to dump the […]
Premier writes to ABC’s Buttrose over Woodside protest
The WA premier has sent a scathing letter to Ita Buttrose about a Four Corners crew’s presence during a planned protest at the Woodside chief’s home. August 4, 2023 West Australian Premier Roger Cook has complained to ABC chair Ita Buttrose about the broadcaster’s “complicity” in a planned protest at the home of energy giant […]
US nuclear submarine surfaces in Australian port
An American Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine has docked in Australia for the first time since the AUKUS deal was signed. August 4, 2023 A US nuclear submarine has arrived in Australia during a routine patrol of the region as America works to reaffirm its commitment to the Pacific. The Virginia-class USS North Carolina docked at the […]
Liberal senator sues former staffer Brittany Higgins
Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds is suing former staffer Brittany Higgins over two social media posts. August 3, 2023 Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds has made good on her threat to sue Brittany Higgins over social media posts by the former staffer. In a writ lodged in the West Australian Supreme Court on Monday, Ms Higgins is […]
Gina Rinehart’s son’s fight for mining riches revealed
Emails and letters about Gina Rinehart’s alleged fraud and John Hancock’s bid to expose it have been aired during a high-stakes court case over mining riches. August 3, 2023 A slew of letters and personal emails revealing fraud allegations against billionaire Gina Rinehart and her son’s early attempts to force a settlement to the unresolved […]
Premier blasts climate activists, vows to question ABC
The WA premier has slammed three activists and will tackle the ABC over an alleged plan to protest outside the home of the boss of Woodside Energy. August 2, 2023 West Australian Premier Roger Cook has blasted three “extremist” climate activists over a thwarted plan to allegedly protest outside the home of the chief of […]
WA premier blasts climate activists, will question ABC
The WA premier has blasted three activists and will question the ABC over an alleged plan to protest outside the Woodside Energy boss’s home. August 2, 2023 West Australian Premier Roger Cook has blasted three “extremist” climate activists over an alleged plan to protest outside the Woodside Energy boss’s family home. Counter-terrorism police were waiting […]
Cops laid in wait for activists at Woodside boss’s home
About a dozen counter-terrorism police were waiting for “extremist” climate activists when they arrived to protest at Woodside Energy’s chief executive’s home. August 1, 2023 West Australian counter-terrorism police were waiting for “extremist” climate activists when they arrived to protest at the Woodside Energy boss’s family home. Disrupt Burrup Hub says about a dozen officers intercepted […]
Tribal punishment theory at Indigenous man’s inquest
An inquest into the suspected death of an Indigenous man almost 30 years ago has heard it’s possible he fell victim to traditional tribal punishment. August 1, 2023 A missing Indigenous man involved in a forbidden relationship could have fallen victim to traditional tribal punishment, an inquest has been told. Richard Milgin, 24, and Julie Buck, […]
Resources sector on notice over sexual harassment
The resources industry faces a regulation crackdown from government if it doesn’t tackle sexual harassment in the workplace. August 1, 2023 The resources industry has been warned it could face tougher restrictions if sexual harassment issues in the workplace aren’t addressed. WA Minister for Mines and Petroleum Bill Johnston said the state government was committed to […]
Climate activists target home of Woodside Energy boss
Woodside Energy says “extremist protesters” have targeted the family home of its chief executive, in a bid to intimidate and threaten the company. August 1, 2023 Climate activists have targeted the family home of Woodside Energy’s boss, as a series of protests over the gas company’s activities escalates, the company claims. Chief executive Meg O’Neill […]
Mining riches battle reveals Rinehart sibling emails
Emails between Gina Rinehart’s children about a legal bid against their mother have been read to a court case over billions of dollars in mining riches. August 1, 2023 A prospector fighting for millions in royalties from a massive iron ore project has read out in court private emails sent by billionaire Gina Rinehart’s children […]