Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for December, 2023
More severe thunderstorms forecast across NYE weekend
Severe thunderstorms are expected to return to parts of eastern Australia across the weekend, including on New Year’s Eve. December 29, 2023 New Year’s Eve could be a wet one for parts of eastern Australia, with more severe weather forecast for the weekend. The Bureau of Meteorology says widespread showers and possibly thunderstorms are set […]
Arson squad probe after firefighter dies battling blaze
The cause of a massive bushfire in southern WA and the death of a volunteer firefighter while battling it are being investigated by the arson squad. December 27, 2023 A volunteer firefighter’s “tragic” death in Western Australia and the massive blaze he died battling are being investigated by arson squad detectives. The man was part […]
More storms and rain for Queensland on Boxing Day
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast more thunderstorms and rain for large parts of Queensland on Boxing Day, as the clean up in the north continues. December 26, 2023 Queenslanders are in for more severe weather on Boxing Day, with thunderstorms and rain forecast for large parts of the state. The Bureau of Meteorology says […]
Queenslanders brace for hailstones, rain and flooding
Another severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for parts of Queensland, as the recovery continues from ex-cyclone Jasper in the far north. December 25, 2023 Queenslanders are hunkering down amid Christmas Day warnings for large hailstones, torrential rain and possible flash flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology issued two severe thunderstorm warnings on Monday for parts of the southern […]
WA bushfire threat to remain across Christmas
Multiple blazes across southern Western Australia are testing firefighters, with authorities warning there are more “difficult” days ahead. December 23, 2023 Firefighters are battling multiple blazes across southern Western Australia as authorities warn of more “difficult” days ahead. Seven emergency-level blazes have destroyed homes and torn through bushland, rural properties and suburbs in Perth’s fringes […]
Third home lost in bushfire, residents return to ruins
A fast-moving blaze has destroyed three homes in Perth’s eastern hills with WA’s fire commissioner describing conditions as above catastrophic. December 22, 2023 Three homes have been destroyed by a fast-moving bushfire in Perth’s hilly eastern fringe, with owners returning to smoking ruins. Confirmation of losses from the blaze at Parkerville came as fresh emergency […]
Third home lost in Perth suburbs bushfire
Authorities have confirmed three homes have been destroyed in a bushfire on Perth’s eastern fringe, as firefighters battle another emergency-level blaze. December 22, 2023 Three homes have been destroyed by a fast-moving bushfire that ripped through a suburb in Perth’s hilly eastern fringe with owners returning to smoking ruins. Confirmation of losses from the Parkerville […]
Third home lost in bushfire as fresh blaze tests firies
Authorities have confirmed three homes have been destroyed in a bushfire on Perth’s eastern fringe, as firefighters battle another emergency-level blaze. December 22, 2023 Three homes have been destroyed by a fast-moving bushfire that ripped through a suburb in Perth’s hilly eastern fringe. Confirmation of losses from the Parkerville blaze came as fresh emergency warnings […]
WA firefighters brace for another day of intense blazes
WA fire crews battling multiple out-of-control bushfires face another day of challenging conditions, with no respite forecast in the coming days. December 22, 2023 Firefighters battling multiple blazes that have destroyed homes in Western Australia face another day of tough conditions. Five emergency-level blazes have torn through bushland, rural properties and the suburb of Parkerville […]
Two homes destroyed as bushfires burn across WA
Bushfires are challenging firefighters in Western Australia, where authorities have confirmed two men have been injured and two homes have been destroyed. December 21, 2023 Two homes are destroyed and two men have been injured as out-of-control bushfires challenge firefighters in Western Australia Five emergency-level blazes have torn through bushland, rural properties and the suburb […]
Emergency level bushfires burn across WA, homes lost
Uncontrolled bushfires are challenging firefighters in Western Australia where homes are feared destroyed and two men have been injured. December 21, 2023 Homes have reportedly been razed and two men injured as out-of-control bushfires challenge firefighters in Western Australia. Five emergency-level blazes have torn through bushland, rural properties and the suburb of Parkerville in Perth’s […]
Reports of homes razed as bushfires burn across state
Another bushfire is threatening lives in Western Australia, with fears homes have been lost in an out-of-control blaze in Perth’s east. December 21, 2023 Multiple homes have reportedly been razed and residents forced to flee, as an out-of-control bushfire challenges firefighters in the hills east of Perth. It’s the fourth emergency-level blaze in the state […]
Homes feared lost as bushfires burn across state
Another bushfire is threatening lives in Western Australia, with fears homes have been lost in an out-of-control blaze in Perth’s east. December 21, 2023 Multiple homes have reportedly been lost and residents forced to flee, as an out-of-control bushfire challenges firefighters in the hills east of Perth. It’s the fourth emergency-level blaze in the state […]
Multiple bushfire emergencies as blazes burn around WA
Lives and homes are at risk after an ‘unpredictable’ blaze broke out in the hills east of Perth, with two active emergency warnings issued in Western Australia. December 21, 2023 Another bushfire is threatening lives in Western Australia, with fears homes have been lost in an out-of-control blaze in Perth’s east. An emergency warning has been […]
Fresh bushfire emergencies as blazes burn around state
Two emergency warnings are active in Western Australia after a blaze broke out in hills east of Perth, as bushfires burn in other parts of the state. December 21, 2023 Another bushfire is threatening lives and homes in Western Australia, as firefighters and air tankers battle an out-of-control blaze in Perth’s east. An emergency warning […]
Construction watchdog to put the bite on dodgy builders
Dodgy builders have been put on notice in West Australia, with proposed laws that include mandatory inspections of construction projects and bigger fines. December 20, 2023 West Australia’s construction watchdogs will be given more bite, with mandatory inspections of new apartment buildings under proposed laws to bolster protections for home buyers. The draft legislation, announced […]
Fast-moving bushfire threatens lives and homes
Firefighters are battling an out-of-control blaze that is a risk to lives and homes near a town in West Australia’s Wheatbelt. December 20, 2023 Lives and properties are under threat from a fast-moving bushfire in West Australia’s Wheatbelt, with aerial support deployed to protect fire crews and homes. An emergency warning has been issued for […]
Facebook pleads not guilty in Twiggy clickbait battle
Facebook parent company Meta has pleaded not guilty to charges brought by billionaire Andrew Forrest over an alleged cryptocurrency clickbait advertising scam. December 20, 2023 Facebook’s parent company Meta will fight on against criminal charges brought by philanthropist billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest over an alleged cryptocurrency clickbait advertising scam. Lawyers for the tech giant formally pleaded […]
Surge in households seeking support as Christmas looms
Vulnerable West Australian and Tasmanian households are struggling to afford the basics amid cost of living and housing crises, new reports say. December 19, 2023 Food and housing are the leading cost of living concerns for vulnerable Australians heading into Christmas, new reports show. Surging interest rates, skyrocketing rents and increasing grocery bills are forcing […]
Growth, ore prices to swell WA budget surplus to $3.7b
A $3.7 billion operating surplus for 2023/24 has been projected by the WA government, up from May’s $3.3 billion amid the highest economic growth in nine years. December 19, 2023 Western Australia’s government will be $400 million better off this financial year, with a healthy budget surplus off the back of a thriving economy and […]
Experts urge government to dump Woodside project
More than 50 scientists, including Professor Fiona Stanley, have urged the state and federal governments to axe Woodside’s plan to expand a gas plant. December 18, 2023 Dozens of scientists have urged state and federal environment ministers to reject Woodside Energy’s plan to expand a gas plant amid fears it could have severe environmental and […]
Alcoa mines probe over plan to clear state forest
Two Alcoa bauxite mines will be put under the microscope to assess their potential impacts on water catchments, the community, a forest and the climate. December 18, 2023 An environmental regulator will examine alumina giant Alcoa’s mining operations and its plan to clear parts of a Jarrah forest. The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority says […]
Mining giant charges dropped over harassment documents
Fortescue Metal Group will spend $1.4 million combating sexual harassment in the mining industry after a workplace safety regulator dropped charges against it. December 18, 2023 A workplace safety watchdog has ended its prosecution of Fortescue Metals Group for failing to supply documents relating to dozens of alleged sexual harassment cases at its mine sites. The mining […]
Hefty fines after underground mine worker dies in pit
Two underground mining companies and a shift supervisor have been fined $1.57 million over the death of a worker in Western Australia. December 18, 2023 Two mining companies and a shift supervisor have copped $1.57 million in fines after a worker drove a loader into a massive underground hole and died amid lax safety procedures. […]