Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for December, 2023
Ex-cyclone Jasper moves west but rain continues to fall
More rain is forecast for a flooded far north Queensland as ex-tropical cyclone Jasper moves west over the Gulf of Carpentaria. December 16, 2023 Residents in flooded far north Queensland are bracing for more rain as ex-tropical cyclone Jasper edges its way toward the Northern Territory. The category 2 system hit the Queensland coast north […]
‘Hello possums’: state memorial for comedy genius
The colourful life of comedy legend Barry Humphries, who brought to life Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson, will be honoured in a state memorial. December 15, 2023 The life of acclaimed Australian entertainer Barry Humphries will be celebrated in a state memorial at the Sydney Opera House. The comedy legend, best known for his […]
Taxpayers cop fines after using unregistered tax agent
An unregistered tax agent who unlawfully lodged hundreds of tax returns filled with dodgy deductions exposed her clients to ATO fines and unexpected tax bills. December 13, 2023 An unregistered tax accountant exposed her clients to fines and unexpected tax bills after unlawfully lodging hundreds of returns filled with dodgy deductions. Perth-based Jessa Van Stroe, […]
Fierce court battle for Hancock mining riches concludes
A marathon trial over the spoils from the massive Rio Tinto-operated Hope Downs mining complex in Western Australia has finished after 51 days. December 13, 2023 A judge has reminded Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart that the court will have the last word as a multi-billion dollar legal stoush over iron ore riches draws to a close. Justice […]
Russian oligarch fighting ban ‘Putin’s personal friend’
A court has been told a Russian billionaire fighting Commonwealth sanctions banning him from Australia has close links with President Vladimir Putin. December 12, 2023 A lawyer has defended the decision by former foreign affairs minister Marise Payne to impose sanctions on a Russian oligarch, over his alleged close ties to Vladimir Putin. Billionaire Oleg Deripaska […]
Stranded 30-tonne sperm whale dies at WA beach
A stranded sperm whale has died after becoming stuck on a sandbar at a beach in Perth’s south, with authorities working on a plan to remove it. December 12, 2023 A stranded adult sperm whale weighing more than 30 tonnes has died after becoming stuck on a sandbar off a West Australian beach. The massive […]
Environment reforms to lift ‘handbrake on investment’
WA’s Cook government will overhaul the state’s environmental protection laws and give politicians more power in a bid to streamline EPA approval processes. December 12, 2023 The West Australian government will give politicians more power to direct the state’s independent environmental protection authority in a bid to “slash green tape”. The EPA’s board will also […]
Bushfires threatening farming communities downgraded
The alert level for an out-of-control bushfire in Western Australia’s northern wheatbelt has been downgraded. December 11, 2023 The alert level for an out-of-control bushfire that was threatening lives and homes in Western Australia’s northern wheatbelt has been downgraded. A watch and act alert has replaced an earlier emergency warning for residents in parts of […]
Russian oligarch using Aussie court to fight sanctions
A Russian billionaire represented in court by former attorney-general Christian Porter is fighting to overturn the sanctions regime banning him from Australia. December 11, 2023 A Russian oligarch banned by Australia over his alleged “close ties” to Vladimir Putin amid the invasion of Ukraine is fighting to overturn the sanctions regime. Former foreign affairs minister […]
Shark barrier on Perth’s Swan River after girl’s death
A shark barrier has been installed in Perth’s Swan River after a 16-year-old swimmer was fatally attacked last summer. December 11, 2023 A shark barrier has been installed in Perth’s Swan River after a teenager died in the river’s first fatal attack in 100 years. The barrier at Bicton Baths is about four kilometres from the Fremantle […]
Liberal senator sues ex-ACT prosecutor Shane Drumgold
Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds has launched defamation action against the ACT government and former chief prosecutor Shane Drumgold over a letter. December 7, 2023 Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds has launched another high-profile defamation action, this time against the ACT government and former chief prosecutor Shane Drumgold. A writ lodged in the West Australian Supreme Court […]
Two students hospitalised after alleged school stabbing
A boy and girl have been taken to hospital after a stabbing at a Perth school in which one student allegedly attacked the other. December 7, 2023 Two teenagers are in hospital after a student allegedly stabbed the other at a Perth school. Emergency services were called to Carine Senior High School about 10am on […]
Kim Beazley’s daughter promoted to government ministry
Hannah Beazley, the daughter of former federal Labor leader and diplomat Kim Beazley, will become a minister in the WA government. December 7, 2023 The daughter of former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley has been elevated to the West Australian Cook government’s cabinet after a minor reshuffle. Member for Victoria Park Hannah Beazley will fill […]
Coles and Woolies to front supermarket prices inquiry
Coles and Woolworths will appear at a Greens-led parliamentary inquiry to investigate if major supermarkets are price gouging to get record profits. December 6, 2023 Supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths will face a parliamentary committee into price gouging and record profits amid the cost-of-living crisis. The Federal Senate on Wednesday confirmed the inquiry into the […]
Health chief admits patient’s death ‘preventable’
Queensland Health has admitted “significant failings” led to the “preventable” death of a patient at a Gold Coast hospital last year. December 6, 2023 Queensland Health has apologised and admitted “significant failings” led to the “preventable” death of a neurodiverse patient. Stewart Kelly, 45, died at Robina Hospital in August 2022, 33 days after he […]
Season’s first tropical cyclone could impact Queensland coast
Tropical Cyclone Jasper has formed 1500km northeast of Cairns as a category one system and is expected to strengthen as it moves towards the coast. December 5, 2023 The first tropical cyclone of the season has formed in the Pacific, with meteorologists warning it’s expected to intensify and could move near the Queensland coast. Cyclone […]
Climate activists scale 140-metre crane at Woodside HQ
Greenpeace climate activists have scaled a 140-metre crane in a protest against Woodside Energy, saying the gas producer is Australia’s biggest climate threat. December 5, 2023 Activists have climbed a 140-metre crane next to Woodside Energy’s Perth headquarters, to decry the oil and gas producer as “Australia’s biggest climate threat”. Greenpeace says four climbers scaled […]
‘Farcical debacle’, thousands in cash found on freeway
Tens of thousands of dollars in cash has been found on a Perth freeway after a suspected roadside drug deal went wrong. December 5, 2023 Thousands of dollars in cash has been found scattered along a Perth freeway in what police say was a “farcical debacle” as a suspected drug deal went wrong. Up to […]
Teen admits firing gunshots at Perth school
A 15-year-old boy who told a friend he would “shoot up” a school has admitted firing gunshots at a classroom, endangering the lives of staff and students. December 4, 2023 A teenager who fired gunshots at a classroom, sparking fears of a US-style school shooting, has pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of staff and students at a Perth […]
Premier backs tougher liquor laws for tourism hotspot
Stricter alcohol restrictions for tourist hotspot Broome are on the cards as community concerns mount about worsening anti-social behaviour. December 4, 2023 The WA premier has backed tougher liquor restrictions for tourist town Broome amid concerns about increasing anti-social behaviour. Strict Kimberley-wide takeaway alcohol sales limits are already in place, with the Director of Liquor […]
Toddlers targeted by ‘sneaky’ supermarket marketing
New research has found infant and toddler food packaging is saturated with child-appealing images and deceptive health claims. December 3, 2023 Babies and toddlers are being bombarded with aggressive supermarket aisle marketing for processed food products and experts are calling for more regulations to protect them. Infant and toddler food packaging is saturated with colourful […]
Brisbane mayor quits ‘dysfunctional’ Olympic ‘talkfest’
Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has resigned from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games advisory body and criticised the Palaszczuk government’s Gabba redevelopment plan. December 3, 2023 Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has resigned from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games advisory body, claiming mismanagement. Adrian Schrinner said the Intergovernmental Leaders’ Forum was a “dysfunctional farce and a pointless […]
Doctors rally against new gas for the sake of health
More than 50 doctors have rallied at WA’s parliament, calling on politicians to protect the community from climate change and stop approving new gas projects. December 1, 2023 More than 50 doctors and other health professionals have rallied outside West Australia’s parliament, urging the Cook government to do more to combat climate change. General practitioners, emergency doctors […]
‘We can’t let it fail’: more govt cash for coal mine
Taxpayers will fork out $220 million to prop up a failed coal mine, critical for electricity generation in West Australia December 1, 2023 The West Australian government will fork out a further $220 million to prop up a failed coalmine that is critical for electricity generation. Premier Roger Cook says the grants will enable Griffin […]