Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for October, 2023
Hancock lawyers attack rivals in high-stakes trial
Gina Rinehart’s lawyers have attacked two rival mining dynasties’ billion-dollar claims for iron ore riches in closing arguments at a high-stakes legal battle. October 17, 2023 Billionaire Gina Rinehart’s lawyers have rubbished two rival mining dynasties’ multi-million dollar legal claims for iron ore riches from a project half-owned by Rio Tinto. The complex court stoush that started in […]
Ex-WA MP James Hayward jailed for sexually abusing girl
Former WA MP James Hayward will spend at least 16 and a half months behind bars for sexually abusing a girl aged between six and eight. October 16, 2023 A former MP convicted of child sexual abuse has been sentenced to two years and nine months behind bars. James Dorrin Hayward, 55, was found guilty […]
WA to cap gun ownership under tough new laws
The West Australian government has released details about its firearm laws overhaul, including a proposal to restrict the number of guns a person can own. October 16, 2023 Western Australia is set to become the nation’s first jurisdiction to limit the number of guns someone can own under proposed firearm laws. Premier Roger Cook said […]
Chevron workers threaten more strikes amid pay dispute
Hundreds of Chevron workers could walk off the job after talks to finalise labour agreements at two WA gas plants failed. October 6, 2023 Hundreds of Chevron workers could walk off the job again amid allegations the oil and gas giant reneged on a commitment to the industrial umpire. A strike at the company’s Gorgon […]
Investigator loses appeal bid in Rayney defamation case
A forensic investigator has lost an appeal bid after defaming former Perth barrister Lloyd Rayney by implying he murdered his wife. October 6, 2023 A forensic investigator who defamed former prominent Perth lawyer Lloyd Rayney by implying he murdered his wife has lost a final bid to overturn the ruling. Mark Reynolds on Friday lost […]
Pilots return to work, wage talks with Qantas to resume
Hundreds of pilots have gone back to work in WA after a 24-hour strike as Qantas subsidiary Network Aviation agrees to resume wage negotiations. October 5, 2023 Hundreds of Qantas pilots are back at work after a strike over a long-running pay dispute caused dozens of flights to be cancelled in Western Australia. Network Aviation […]
Murder accused faces court over body in burnt-out car
A 19-year-old man found naked and acting erratically on a boat has faced a Perth court for murder after human remains were found in a burnt-out car. October 5, 2023 A man found naked and acting erratically on a boat north of Perth has faced court for murder after human remains were found in a […]
Fierce court battle for Hancock mining riches reignites
A court battle over iron ore riches has resumed, as billionaire Gina Rinehart defends her fortune amid a legal dispute over her mining pioneer father’s legacy. October 5, 2023 A multibillion-dollar legal battle between Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart, her children and two rival mining dynasties over iron ore riches from a project half owned […]
Murder charge after body found in burnt-out car
A 19-year-old man found naked and acting erratically on a boat has been charged with murder after human remains were found in a burnt-out car. October 5, 2023 A man found naked and acting erratically on a boat north of Perth has been charged with murder after human remains were found in a burnt-out car. […]
Fierce court battle for Hancock mining riches resumes
A court battle over iron ore riches has resumed, as billionaire Gina Rinehart defends her fortune amid a legal dispute over her mining pioneer father’s legacy. October 5, 2023 A multibillion-dollar legal battle between Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart, her children and two rival mining dynasties over iron ore riches from a project half owned […]
Dozens of Qantas flights cancelled as pilots strike
Thousands of Qantas passengers and FIFO workers have had their travel plans cancelled or rescheduled as pilots walked off the job in Perth over a pay dispute. October 4, 2023 Thousands of travellers have had their plans thrown into disarray after dozens of Qantas flights were cancelled in Western Australia due to a pilots’ strike […]
Hospital rape charge dropped for victim’s mental health
Prosecutors dropped charges against a 13-year-old boy accused of raping a fellow patient in a Perth hospital over fears for his alleged victim’s mental health. October 4, 2023 A 13-year-old boy accused of raping a fellow patient in a West Australian hospital crawled into his alleged victim’s room to avoid being spotted by night-shift nurses, […]
Sexual assaults plague Australia’s mental health wards
More than 1000 people reported being sexually assaulted or harassed during their time in Australian mental health wards. October 3, 2023 A 13-year-old girl is among 1500 people reportedly sexually assaulted or harassed in mental health wards across the nation in the last six years. Florence (not her real name) was allegedly raped at Perth […]
Facebook demands Twiggy docs in clickbait scam battle
Facebook parent company Meta has issued a summons for billionaire Andrew Forrest to hand over documents it says his lawyers failed to disclose. October 2, 2023 Facebook parent company Meta has issued a summons for billionaire Andrew Forest to hand over sensitive documents amid a legal battle over an alleged cryptocurrency clickbait advertising scam. Lawyers […]
Pilot strike to wreak havoc on resources sector workers
Thousands of FIFO workers are expected to be affected when pilots from the Qantas-owned Network Aviation work off the job as a wages dispute intensifies. October 2, 2023 West Australia’s resources sector is bracing for chaos ahead of a pilots’ strike that’s expected to affect thousands of FIFO workers and has sparked claims it could […]