Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Archive for February, 2024
Teen who shot at his school gets three years detention
A 15-year-old boy who fired shots at his school, terrifying staff and students, has been sentenced to three years in detention but may be released sooner. February 29, 2024 A vulnerable teenager who fired gunshots at a classroom, sparking fears of Australia’s first US-style school shooting, will spend at least 16 months in detention. The 15-year-old boy, […]
Vaping rates, alcohol and drug use by young women up
Smoking rates have fallen but e-cigarette use has tripled in recent years, along with the number of young women consuming risky levels of alcohol and drugs. February 29, 2024 The number of Australians smoking cigarettes continues to fall but vaping, alcohol and some illicit drugs are growing in popularity, a survey has found. E-cigarette use […]
Teen who fired shots at school sentenced to detention
A 15-year-old boy who fired three shots at his school, sending it into lockdown, has been sentenced to three years detention but could be released sooner. February 29, 2024 A vulnerable teenager who fired gunshots at a classroom, sparking fears of Australia’s first US-style school shooting, will spend at least 16 months in detention. The […]
Child sex offenders target parents via dating apps
Paedophiles are using social media and dating apps to offer parents money for exploitation and abuse material of their children. February 29, 2024 Australian dating app and social media users are being targeted by child sex offenders hungry for exploitation and abuse material. Vulnerable users are being pressured for sexual images of their children, with payment offers […]
Former cop celebrated survival after shooting teen dead
An ex-policeman who shot dead an Indigenous teen during an arrest has denied celebrating the killing in a text and says he was congratulated for surviving. February 29, 2024 A former Northern Territory police constable who shot dead an Indigenous teenager during a bungled arrest has denied celebrating the killing with a mate. Zachary Rolfe shot […]
Liberals elect new deputy leader in Western Australia
Farmer and former journalist Steven Martin has been elected as deputy leader of the Western Australian Liberal Party. February 28, 2024 The Western Australian Liberal’s housing and forestry spokesman has been elected as its new deputy leader. Member for the Agricultural Region Steven Martin replaces Steve Thomas, who was stripped of his leadership roles. The […]
Pilots resume strike at Qantas subsidiary over pay
Regional travellers and fly-in, fly-out workers face travel disruptions as more than 200 pilots at a Qantas subsidiary walk off the job over a pay dispute. February 28, 2024 More than 200 airline pilots employed by a Qantas subsidiary have walked off the job for three days over a long-running pay dispute. The industrial action […]
Killer cop denies lying at murder trial of teenager
A policeman who was acquitted of murder after he shot and killed an Indigenous teen during an arrest has denied lying at his criminal trial. February 28, 2024 A former Northern Territory policeman acquitted of the shooting murder of an Indigenous teenager during a bungled arrest has denied manufacturing evidence about the incident. Zachary Rolfe […]
WA Liberal deputy steps down over Brian Burke link
WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam has ordered her deputy Steve Thomas to step down from his senior role over links with former premier Brian Burke. February 27, 2024 West Australian Liberal deputy leader Steve Thomas has resigned from the front bench after admitting contact with disgraced former premier-turned-lobbyist Brian Burke. Party leader Libby Mettam said […]
Mining magnate chips in to clear Ukraine’s landmines
The Minderoo Foundation has pledged financial support for a United Nations landmine clearing program in war-torn Ukraine. February 27, 2024 Billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and his ex-wife Nicola have promised millions of dollars to help war-torn Ukraine de-mine its prime agricultural land. The Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation’s $5 million donation will help authorities remove land mines […]
Naked man shot in wardrobe after alleged home invasion
A naked man has been shot in the leg after he was found hiding in a bedroom wardrobe at a home he allegedly broke into. February 26, 2024 A naked man found hiding in a wardrobe has been shot in the leg after allegedly breaking into a home in the dead of night. The occupants […]
Pay-row pilots to resume strike at Qantas subsidiary
Regional travellers and workers face having their flight plans disrupted by a three-day strike by pilots at a Qantas subsidiary. February 26, 2024 Regional airline passengers and fly-in, fly-out workers face more flight disruptions as pilots employed by a Qantas subsidiary announce another work stoppage. More than 200 Network Aviation and QantasLink pilots in Western Australia […]
Lincoln expected to weaken before reaching WA coast
Tropical Cyclone Lincoln could weaken into a tropical low before making landfall in WA on Sunday but residents are still in for a wet and windy weekend. February 24, 2024 Communities in Western Australia’s northwest are in for a wet and windy weekend as Tropical Cyclone Lincoln edges closer to the coast, but it could […]
Teen who fired gunshots at Perth school wanted to kill
A 15-year-old boy, who admitted firing three shots at his school sending it into lockdown, told West Australian police he planned to kill people and himself. February 23, 2024 A vulnerable teenager who fired gunshots at a classroom, sparking fears of Australia’s first US-style school shooting, told police he planned to kill people and himself. The 15-year-old […]
Lincoln won’t reach severe tropical cyclone strength
Authorities say ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln is unlikely to develop into a severe tropical cyclone but remains on track to slam into WA’s northwest coast. February 23, 2024 A massive weather system brewing off the Western Australian coast remains on track to make landfall but authorities say it’s unlikely to become a severe tropical cyclone. Ex-tropical […]
Northwest WA battens down as Lincoln approaches
Ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln is expected to gather strength and re-form before crossing the northern WA coast. February 23, 2024 Communities in Western Australia’s northwest are bracing for the arrival of a massive weather system that is expected to slam into the coast as a tropical cyclone. Ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln is expected to gather strength and re-form on […]
Murder charge over woman’s body found in burnt-out home
SA police have charged a 29-year-old woman with murder, arson and interfering with human remains after a woman’s body was found in a burnt-out home in October. February 22, 2024 A woman has been charged with murder, arson and interfering with human remains after a woman’s body was found in a burnt-out home in October. […]
Ex-bishop indicates not guilty plea to child sex abuse
A former bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, has appeared in court over historical child sex abuse allegations and indicated he will fight the charges. February 22, 2024 Former Catholic bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, has indicated to a court he will plead not guilty to a string of historical child sexual abuse allegations. The 74-year-old […]
Lincoln to strengthen into a cyclone within 12 hours
A tropical low sitting off the West Australian coast near Broome is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone overnight, the Bureau of Meteorology says. February 22, 2024 A massive weather system brewing off the Western Australian coast is expected to strengthen into a tropical cyclone within 12 hours. Then ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln is expected […]
Emergency services prepare for cyclone and flooding
Authorities are bolstering emergency service teams in Western Australia’s northwest in preparation for the likely impact of a tropical cyclone. February 21, 2024 Urban search and rescue specialists are among the dozens of emergency service personnel deployed to Western Australia’s northwest as authorities prepare communities for the likely impact of a tropical cyclone. The massive […]
WA to cap firearm ownership, nation’s toughest gun laws
The WA government has introduced its firearm laws overhaul to parliament, which includes a proposal to restrict the number of guns a person can own. February 21, 2024 Western Australia is set to become the nation’s first jurisdiction to limit the number of guns someone can own under tough new firearm laws introduced to parliament. The Cook government said […]
Car thief denies murdering police officer during arrest
A car thief has pleaded not guilty to murdering Constable Anthony Woods, who died after he was mowed down and dragged under a car during an arrest last year. February 21, 2024 A man accused of running over and killing a young West Australian police constable while attempting to avoid arrest has pleaded not guilty […]
Cyclone prompts pilots to jettison four-day strike
A strike at a Qantas subsidiary has been suspended at the request of the West Australian government because of a cyclone and the possible need for evacuations. February 21, 2024 Industrial action by pilots in Western Australia has been called off because they might needed for evacuation flights as a cyclone threat looms large. More […]
Arson squad probe bushfire that threatened theme park
A flare could have sparked a bushfire that threatened homes and patrons at an ice skating rink and a theme park in Perth’s south. February 21, 2024 The arson squad is investigating if a flare sparked a bushfire that threatened homes and patrons at an ice skating rink and a theme park in Perth’s south. […]