State Politics

Restrictions easedBroome to welcome back tourists as Kimberley reopens

West Australians eager to make the most out of having the State all to themselves will finally be able to travel up north this weekend, as the Kimberley officially reopens on Friday.

Samantha Rogers

‘World-class’WA cements sub credentials with $12.5m rescue hub

Civmec has started work on a new submarine rescue facility at Henderson which will act as a base for Australian and international rescue missions.

Peter de Kruijff

Peter Law opinionLiza gets mixed performance report from Liberal MP’s

Almost a year to the day Liza Harvey became Opposition leader, Liberal MPs were asked if they thought the party was in a better position ahead of the 2021 State election - to a mixed response.

Peter LawState Political Editor

ExclusiveCop quits one month in after string of horror call-outs

A police officer quit just a month into the job after witnessing the horrific aftermath of several call-outs, including a shocking crash that killed a young pregnant woman and her child.

Phil Hickey

Shock moveWA’s highest paid public servant resigns

Racing and Wagering WA chief executive Richard Burt has resigned from his job as the State’s highest-paid government employee.

Peter Law

Struggle streetLandlords cry foul over rent relief in new code

The peak body for commercial landlords said the code put an unfair burden on local landlords, especially when combined with high hurdles to access land tax relief.

Kim Macdonald

Coronavirus crisisWA Liberals renew Roe 8 push for local stimulus

The WA Liberals have renewed calls for ramped-up coronavirus stimulus after Deloitte modelling predicted $17 billion would be ripped from the State economy over the next year.

Josh Zimmerman

Stephen KalessWitness statement ends need for Kaless hearing

A deposition hearing which was to take place ahead of the trial of a former McGowan Government media adviser accused of indecently assaulting a staffer at a Christmas party has been vacated.

Emily Moulton

Bribery chargesHealth corruption scandal claims first victim

The bribery and corruption scandal which engulfed the North Metropolitan Health Service has its first judicial victim, with the managing director of one contractor today fined $18,000 for bribery.

Tim Clarke

ScrutinyPush for inquiry into State’s coronavirus response

WA Nationals are pushing for a special inquiry with the powers of a Royal Commission into the State’s ‘preparedness and response’ to the coronavirus pandemic.

Josh Zimmerman

Rotto reconciliationPlans to honour Indigenous prisoners of Rottnest Island

EXCLUSIVE: The traditional owners of Rottnest Island have begun talks about how to commemorate the hundreds of Aboriginal people who were imprisoned and died on the island when it was used as a jail.

Annabel Hennessy

Catastrophic falloutWA economy ‘set back four years and $17b’ by virus

According to new economics modelling the McGowan Government has drastically underestimated the damage caused by COVID-19 — which will rip $17 billion from the economy.

Josh Zimmerman

Border battleNT, SA travel bubble just doesn’t stack up: McGowan

West Australians feel “happier” and more “comfortable” with a hard border in place, Mark McGowan has stated in response to a poll that found most residents wanted WA to stay closed off.

Peter de Kruijff

Pay negotiationsThe politics behind the police pay gamble

A full house is a respectable hand that stands a good chance of winning. But Police Union boss Harry Arnott is risking his full house for the chance of four-of-a-kind, writes Ben Harvey.

Ben HarveyChief Reporter

Let me flyJ-Bish says ‘now is the time to open WA’s hard border’

Former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has revealed she would go against WA Premier Mark McGowan’s decision and open the State’s hard border, despite most West Aussies supporting them being closed.

Caitlyn Rintoul

Worthy causeWA’s masquerade to fight coronavirus

Amid a global pandemic, WA artists are helping raise money for the fight against COVID-19, with Royal Perth Hospital and Screen West collaborating for the vital cause.

Caitlyn Rintoul

‘The time is right’Why we should build cable car from Quay to Kings Park

Three decades ago ago, then-Premier Carmen Lawrence proposed the idea of a Perth cable car that would breathe life into the city. The prep work has been done, so now is the time to do it.

John McGrath

ExclusiveWA to get first ‘Supermax’ prison for worst offenders

In a first for the state, WA is set to get its first ever ‘Supermax’ prison, a 40-cell ‘punishment’ compound that will house bikies and other trouble-making inmates at Casuarina prison.

Ben Harvey

ExclusiveMcGowan thanks WA for staying united in virus fight

As West Australians celebrate everything that is great about being a sandgroper today, Premier Mark McGowan has opened up on the intense stress of the leading a State over the last three months.

Steve Butler

Exclusive Poll90 per cent of West Aussies want border shut

The majority of West Australians support the State Government’s plan to keep the rest of Australia locked out, even if it means no interstate travel for months.

Peter Law

ExclusiveWA Liberals decry McGowan’s virus response as ‘woeful’

The WA Liberals have blasted the McGowan Government’s “woefully insufficient” $1.8 billion coronavirus stimulus package and claim the Premier is holding back money for an election “war chest”.

Josh Zimmerman

RottnestIsle be ready & waiting for tourists

A remarkable chapter in Rottnest’s colourful history has ended with tourists set to return.

Josh Zimmerman

Fun times aheadPubs, playgrounds, gyms and Rottnest open next week

WA will take a giant leap towards normal life next weekend when the State charts its own course back from the coronavirus crisis. Here’s what you’ll be able to do.

Peter Law, Josh Zimmerman and Peter de Kruijff

COVID-safe restartMcGowan’s border stance is about to pay-off big time

The announcement that WA will be the first State to revise the four square metres per person rule from June 6 is a game-changer the Premier says comes because we’ve charted our own path to recovery.

Peter LawState Political Editor