Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for November, 2023
Woodside boss remains concerned about climate activists
Woodside Energy’s chief executive Meg O’Neill says she is concerned by the potential threat climate activists pose after a failed protest at her family home. November 17, 2023 Woodside Energy’s boss says she remains concerned about the threat posed by “extremist” climate activists months after a failed protest outside her family home. West Australian counter-terrorism police were […]
WA COVID surge prompts return of mask mandate
West Australia is reintroducing mask-wearing requirements in public hospitals due to a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past two months. November 17, 2023 A surge in COVID-19 cases has prompted the West Australian government to reintroduce face mask rules at Perth public hospitals. Staff and patients will be ordered to wear […]
WA hit by east coast infrastructure ‘mismanagement’
Federal funding has been cut for several transport infrastructure projects in WA, with Premier Roger Cook blaming east coast mismanagement or cost overruns. November 16, 2023 Premier Roger Cook says Western Australia has fallen victim to other states’ infrastructure project mismanagement after the federal government axed more than $300 million in funding for transport links. […]
Serial rapist to be released with $800k NDIS support
A court has ordered a violent rapist who sexually assaulted and attempted to murder a five-year-old girl be released from prison with $800,000 in NDIS support. November 14, 2023 A violent rapist who sexually assaulted and attempted to murder a five-year-old girl will be released from prison with $800,000 in NDIS support after more than two decades […]
Family of Perth man who died in custody demands justice
The grieving family of an Indigenous man who died in custody say the father of three begged prison officers for medical help. November 13, 2023 The grieving family of an Indigenous man who died in custody allegedly while begging for medical help is calling for answers and justice. Father of three Wayne Ugle, 41, died […]
Guards watching movies when teen self-harmed in custody
An interim report into the death of an Indigenous teenager after he self-harmed in youth detention has found multiple system failures. November 10, 2023 Prison staff were watching movies and a senior officer was partially undressed and relaxing in his office when an Indigenous teenager fatally self-harmed in youth detention. Officers discovered 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd […]
Failures found before death of teen in youth detention
An investigation into the events surrounding the death of Indigenous teen Cleveland Dodd in a detention centre has uncovered significant operational failures. November 10, 2023 TRAGIC DEATH OF CLEVELAND DODD AT CASUARINA PRISON IN PERTH * October 11, 3pm: CCTV camera in Cleveland’s cell covered with toilet paper, obscuring its view * October 12, 1.22am: […]
Teen self-harmed in custody as guards watched movies
An interim report into the death of an Indigenous teenager after he self-harmed in youth detention has found multiple system failures. November 10, 2023 Prison officers were watching movies and relaxing when an Indigenous teenager fatally self-harmed in youth detention. Officers discovered 16-year-old Cleveland Dodd unresponsive in a cell at the Unit 18 facility at […]
Incentives, taxes rolled out in national Airbnb changes
Incentives and taxes are being deployed amid the shifting ground for short-term accommodation providers across Australia. November 9, 2023 AIRBNB: THE RULES ACROSS AUSTRALIA * Victoria introduced a statewide 7.5 per cent consumer levy on short-term accommodation bookings with platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz in September. * NSW requires most short-term accommodation hosts to […]
Airbnb owners offered $10,000 to rent homes long-term
Short-term accommodation owners in Western Australia will be offered a $10,000 sweetener to rent their properties to long-term tenants to boost housing supply. November 9, 2023 Airbnb owners and other short-term rental accommodation providers will be handed nation-leading $10,000 incentives to lease their properties to long-term tenants. The scheme is part of a slew of […]
Inmate ‘proud’ after murdering child sex offender
Convicted sex offender Ashley Bropho was choked to death in his prison cell by a fellow inmate, who laughed about the killing and expressed pride in his crime. November 8, 2023 A convicted sex offender was choked to death in his prison cell by a fellow inmate, who later laughed about the killing and said […]
WA bans burning amid escalating bushfire risk
West Australian authorities are set to ban burning in the Perth area due to the escalating bushfire risk across the state. November 8, 2023 The increasing bushfire risk in West Australia has prompted the authorities to bring burning restrictions forward, as the state’s top firefighter warns not enough people have survival plans. Fire and Emergency […]
Millions in rent relief for WA tenants ‘doing it tough’
The WA government will spend $24.4 million helping tenants at risk of eviction from private rentals keep a roof over their heads with payments of up to $5000. November 8, 2023 Stressed and in-debt tenants at risk of eviction in West Australia will be eligible for up to $5000 as the state government rolls out […]
Date set for Linda Reynolds, Brittany Higgins mediation
Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds and former political staffer Brittany Higgins and her partner will meet face-to-face for mediation over their defamation cases. November 8, 2023 Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds will meet with former political staffer Brittany Higgins and her partner in a bid to settle two high-profile defamation cases. The former defence minister is suing […]
Climate activist convicted in fight to protect sources
An anti-gas campaigner has been convicted of four counts of failing to give police access to his computer and phone and fined $1000. November 7, 2023 A prominent anti-gas campaigner fighting to stop a Woodside Energy development has claimed victory after being convicted of failing to give police access to his computer and phone. Jesse […]
Police issue VRO to seven-year-old after court bungle
A seven-year-old boy’s family has received an apology from West Australian police after officers issued a violence restraining order to the child. November 7, 2023 West Australian police have apologised for issuing a violence restraining order to a seven-year-old boy after a court bungle. Officers handed the boy, who is understood to be Indigenous, the […]
WA minister defends actions after teen died in custody
A West Australian government minister has blamed his advisors for the information he gave media after a teen self-harmed in detention and died. November 6, 2023 West Australian Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia says he was acting on advice when he told reporters that a teenager was given first aid in a “matter of minutes” […]
Concerns after police officer jailed for two years
A constable’s two-year jail sentence for assaulting a woman during an unlawful arrest was manifestly excessive and might be appealed, WA’s police union says. November 4, 2023 The West Australian police union says an officer’s two-year jail sentence for abusing, dragging and kicking a woman during an unlawful arrest was unjust and excessive. Constable Alister Swift, […]
Trio faces court over retiree housing scheme collapse
Three men involved in the failed Sterling Group housing scheme that left dozens of retirees with huge financial losses have appeared in court. November 3, 2023 Three men linked to a failed housing scheme that cost dozens of elderly Australians their homes and life savings have appeared in court on criminal charges. Raymond Jones, founder […]
Arson charges laid over bushfires targeting city park
A man has been charged with five counts of arson following a series of bushfires in Perth’s Kings Park and in scrub near a nursing home. November 3, 2023 A homeless man has been charged with five counts of arson after allegedly lighting a series of bushfires in Perth’s inner suburbs. Police arrested the 41-year-old […]
WA town stops playing Wiggles to deter rough sleepers
The City of Bunbury has stopped playing the Wiggles’ song Hot Potato on loop to deter homeless people from congregating in a park after the band objected. November 3, 2023 A West Australian town has stopped playing Wiggles music in a bid to drive homeless people from a community space following an outcry from the […]
Class action probe into Indigenous public housing
Lawyers are investigating the potential for class action on behalf of Indigenous tenants living in “substandard” public housing in remote WA communities. November 2, 2023 Thousands of Indigenous tenants living in “substandard” public housing in remote West Australian communities could be financially compensated. Lawyers are exploring the potential for a class action that could also […]
Nationals MP defection to Libs sparks leadership talks
A change of leadership for the opposition in Western Australia is on the cards after a Nationals MP swapped camps to join the Liberals. November 1, 2023 The West Australian Nationals say the party could be persuaded to surrender the opposition leadership to the Liberal Party if conditions are met. Nationals MP Merome Beard announced […]
Indigenous stolen wages class action reaches settlement
The WA government will compensate thousands of Indigenous workers and their descendants who were paid little or no wages between 1936 and 1972. November 1, 2023 Thousands of Indigenous workers who were paid little or no wages for almost four decades will be compensated after the West Australian government settled a class action for historical stolen wages […]