The High Court has ordered Clive Palmer to pay the WA Government’s costs over his abandoned contempt suit against Premier Mark McGowan and Attorney-General John Quigley.
#wanews
And some personal news: My wife and I welcomed our first child to the world last night. She is happy and healthy! I'm taking an extended period of leave - will be back around Christmas.
The doctor who declared Aboriginal woman Ms Dhu fit for custody less than 24 hours before she died of pneumonia and septicaemia has been accused of professional misconduct over his alleged failure to properly diagnose the 22-year-old.
#wanews
The controversial overhaul of WA’s Aboriginal heritage laws will be scrapped completely in a stunning development just one month after the changes came into effect.
Take your $750 (or $550) each week and spend it at West Australian - or at the very least Australian - businesses. Don't buy overseas goods online. Keep paying your rent. Plan a WA holiday for when this is all over. Give the economy the best chance of bouncing back quickly.
McGowan: "If I was unkind, I would say maybe we should send a bill to the New South Wales government for the Ruby Princess and all the trauma that caused other States."
#wanews
Omicron is already in WA - 5 new local cases today - and the dismantling of national PCR testing regime for truckies coupled with increased exemptions/home quarantine from Feb 5 means many more local cases by end of Feb. At that point border is redundant. That's the plan.
Daylight Saving Party leader and new WA Upper House MP Wilson Tucker has broken his silence with a bombshell revelation he is living in the United States. Yarn via Jason Mennell at the Kal Miner.
#wanews
West Australians will only get a few days warning when Mark McGowan finally decides to open the State’s borders to the world.
#wanews
#coronavirus
#auspol
Clive Palmer claims he has been “brought into hatred, ridicule and contempt” and suffered damage to his reputation and “injury to his feelings” as a result of commentary from Premier Mark McGowan.
#wanews
Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has accused Mark McGowan of engaging in unhelpful “tit-for-tat politics” and suggested "maybe it’s time to make the call to Gladys Berejiklian to see what can be learnt by other Premiers and first Ministers”.
#wanews
No Dad Life column today... but I can announce I'm stepping into the
@westaustralian
's State Political Editor role to replace the sadly departing
@PeterJohnLaw
. Please direct any complaints about this development his way.
Wesfarmers decision to shift execs to the Eastern States is “the tip of the iceberg” according to shadow health minister Libby Mettam, who predicted a raft of other businesses would follow suit. CCIWA says border uncertainty was “perilous for WA.
#wanews
WA’s most vulnerable cohort – those aged 70 and over – are on track to reach 90 per cent third dose coverage by February 14, just over a week after the hard border was originally slated to fall.
#wanews
Some exciting personal news from me.
Our second daughter, Macy, was born in the early hours of Monday morning.
Mum, Macy and older sister Cleo are all doing great and getting into the rhythm of a family of four.
I'm taking six weeks leave. Back on deck in mid-August.
Around 100,000 COVID-19 tests are due to arrive in Australia from Wednesday - and they include new testing kits that can be turned around in just three hours.
#perthnews
I should add this does not disqualify him running for the Upper House, which only requires Australian citizenship and for candidate to have resided in WA for one year at any point in their life. He now intends to move back to WA.
Premier Mark McGowan rules out adopting new testing/isolation protocols until WA reaches "high caseloads".
Instead flags restrictions come Feb 5 will be "stronger than what we forecast before".
Appears WA will continue forging its own pandemic path. Story up shortly.
#wanews
Elective surgery waiting times have blown out across WA — despite the State’s largely COVID free status — with one in 20 patients now forced to wait longer than a year for their operation.
#wanews
Mark McGowan has warned of a permanent hard border with NSW if the State fails to “crush and kill” COVID-19 and instead opts to allow the virus to circulate before most Australians have been vaccinated.
#wanews
The Corruption and Crime Commission will be asked to investigate bombshell allegations Labor Party donors were given preferential treatment when applying for G2G travel passes during the early days of the pandemic. With
@Flinty_01
Police attended The George around 11.30pm, found doors locked and windows blacked out - had to scale walls to get in.
Found "several hundred" party goers without masks dancing inside.
#wanews
Mark McGowan is in advanced talks about joining resources giant BHP in what would be his first job since turning WA politics on its head when announcing his shock resignation as Premier in May.
Operating theatres at St John of God Subiaco Hospital will be “almost empty” next week when the McGowan Government’s pause on non-elective surgery extends to the private health system – prompting calls for an urgent re-assessment of the ban.
The Voice referendum is on track for a crushing defeat in WA – and the shambolic implementation of refreshed Aboriginal heritage laws is driving down support for the proposed Indigenous advisory body.
Meth dealers would face the harshest penalties in Australia — mandatory jail terms of up to 15 years for anyone caught selling the drug — under a WA Liberal Government.
#wanews
Lockdown rules in Greater Sydney should be tightened to prevent “big crowds of people wandering around without masks” at popular outdoor locations, according to Mark McGowan.
#wanews
Premier Mark McGowan has confirmed West Australians will need to receive three doses of a COVID vaccine to be permitted to enter restaurants, pubs and gyms — although a deadline for the updated requirement has not yet been set.
#wanews
Mark McGowan’s shock departure coupled with deeply unpopular Aboriginal heritage laws — which the government has battled to explain — appear to have critically damaged Labor’s prospects in the two short months since Roger Cook took over as Premier.
Biggest takeaway from the Rockingham by-election: With Mark McGowan retired, Labor's biggest strength may just be the dismal state of the WA Liberal Party.
Labor primary has tanked ~30% since 2021 but the Libs are struggling to grab just one-in-three of those voters.
Gina Rinehart believes foreign ownership of Australian farmland should be capped at a maximum of 49 per cent to protect against breakdowns in international relations.
The WA Government has egg on its face over false claims it will turn the YHA hostel in the city into a crisis shelter for 100 homeless people... with revelations the building is about to be sold to a private buyer. Scoop by
@Kimatthewest
#wanews
A woman has become WA’s first mystery case of COVID since the early days of the pandemic, with health authorities currently scrambling to identify where she contracted the virus. One of two new local cases today - other linked to security guard and already in quarantine.
#wanews
Voter satisfaction with Premier Mark McGowan has fallen to its lowest level since the start of the COVID pandemic, while new Liberal Leader Libby Mettam has nearly tripled the approval rating of her predecessor David Honey.
One of the top lawyers who won the historic Mabo case has criticised WA’s controversial Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act, labelling it “unworkable” in its current form and needing major changes.
Remarkable yarn from
@RebLeMay
Premier Mark McGowan claims to have been kept completely in the dark about the Perth Mint's gold “doping" - despite holding direct ministerial responsibility for the refinery at the time the scheme was conceived.
The much-vaunted expansion of the WA Police has flatlined, with practically no increase in the total number of officers over the past year as a gathering wave of resignations threatens to outpace the addition of new recruits.
Rank and file Liberal members will vote on opposing an Indigenous Voice to Parliament when the party meets for its State Conference at the end of July.
Found a dark blotchy mole in the middle of my chest last night. Showed partner. She insisted I book a mole check for Monday. Jumped out of the shower this morning. Mole gone. It wasn't a mole folks, it was chocolate I dropped on myself on the couch.
Premier Mark McGowan starts last day of campaigning with Kings Park visit alongside parents Mary and Dennis, who drove over from NSW in caravan earlier this week.
WA Liberal leader Zak Kirkup has accused Premier Mark McGowan of “hiding” and “playing small target” ahead of the March election, insisting only his party had a plan for the future of the State.
#wanews
WA Parliament's first ever female Speaker Michelle Roberts (in 27th year in the building) tells colleagues "up until relatively recently this place felt more like a select gentlemen’s club than the people’s house”.
#wanews
While all the attention has been focused on the east coast, WA's forgotten drought is driving station owners across the Southern Rangelands to the brink. Our report from the ground.
#wanews
#perthnews
Long-serving MP Ian Goodenough has warned of the potential for “civil war” within the WA Liberals after being dumped by his party in favour of Vince Connelly following a two-hour preselection contest on Saturday.
Mia Davies has been hailed an “exceptional political talent” who would bring “some common sense to Canberra” by Federal Nationals Leader David Littleproud.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Tony Buti has opened the door to a major overhaul of controversial Indigenous heritage laws, declaring nothing was off the table and “if there needs to be change, they will be changed”.
Noticeable shift in tone from AMA (WA) boss Andrew Miller in this latest message, saying the McGowan Government should be "unreservedly congratulated” for making WA “one of the best places in the world” to ride out the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Perth woman allegedly murdered by her own son called the cops just hours before her death because she was concerned he was behaving erratically — but WA Police refused to attend.
"We didn’t expect to be getting 13 people out of there alive.”
Perth hero cave diver Craig Challen provides an incredible, candid insight into the rescue that gripped the world.
#ThaiCaveRescue
#thamluangcaverescue
#perthnews
Libby Mettam has officially been selected to replace David Honey as leader of the WA Liberal Party.
Shadow Treasurer Steve Thomas has been elected deputy leader.
More
@westaustralian
soon.
Liberal leader Zak Kirkup has slammed Labor for preferencing anti-vaxxers above the Liberals in Riverton - a seat where the Labor candidate is a GP. Via
@CharlotteElton
#wanews
Ian Goodenough has been dumped by the WA Liberals as their candidate for the next Federal election. He will be replaced by Vince Connelly, provided State Council endorses the result.
#auspol
Premier Mark McGowan has accused the NSW Government of being ungrateful to WA for its contribution to the bailouts required to prop up the State, saying it allowed Delta to run rampant and caused the economy to “tank”.
#wanews
Sophia Moermond quit Legalise Cannabis WA after being relegated to an unwinnable spot on the party’s Legislative Council ticket – an outcome she blames on her attendance at an anti-trans rally.
Education Minister Sue Ellery confirms 5-11 year-olds will NOT count towards WA's vaccination target to re-open the state. Means no change in existing timeline - date will be set once 80% threshold reached.
#wanews
Treasurer Ben Wyatt has vowed never to base a Budget on a high iron ore price, claiming governments that banked royalty incomes before they materialised “end up in devastating positions”.
#wanews
This is precisely why flattening the curve is vital. If everyone does their part, doctors and nurses will hopefully never be faced with these kinds of decisions.
Big
#COVID19AU
development revealed exclusively on front page of tomorrow's The West Australian with the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society revealing its
#coronavirus
guidelines
#auspol
WA’s Police Commissioner will be handed sole responsibility for making a COVID-19 “declaration” that would hand his officers the ability to enter homes without a warrant in legislative changes blasted as “draconian” by the Opposition on Wednesday.
Libby Mettam has called for the immediate release of two reports into the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl at Perth Children’s Hospital while accusing Premier Roger Cook of “going to ground” over his failure to front media over the shocking incident.
Few points on Freo Tent City:
- City of Freo never granted approvals for camp, or meal service that turned into camp.
- Camp organisers, who include one-time Extinction Rebellion protestor Jesse Noakes, have admitted it was at least partly politically motivated.
The WA Government will explore having Clive Palmer declared a vexatious litigant with Premier Mark McGowan accusing the billionaire of launching a barrage of “over the top” legal actions.
#wanews
Victims of family and domestic violence would have access to a specially created one-stop unit dedicated to providing wraparound support — including medical, counselling, housing and forensic services — under a WA Liberal Government.
#wanews
Bittersweet to announce my Dad Life column wraps up today.
It's been fun chronicling Cleo's 1st year but I'm also looking forward to spending the extra time playing with, rather than writing about, her.
Thanks to everyone that's read along the journey
Clive Palmer's border challenge will be subject to an urgent case management hearing in the Federal Court on Friday to hear an application by the WA Government for the current trial to be vacated based on Commonwealth withdrawal. Via
@PeterJohnLaw
#wanews
Anyone hoping to enter WA from NSW will need to have received at least a first COVID-19 jab and will be required to return a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours before travelling.
#wanews
Nationals MP Mem Beard is defecting to the Liberals in a bombshell move that opens the door to Libby Mettam seizing the mantle of Opposition Leader from Shane Love.
There is no health reason West Australians should be barred from travelling to other States and Territories, provided they have hard borders in place with New South Wales and Victoria, according to Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson.
#wanews
Mark McGowan has now ruled out maintaining the G2G pass system indefinitely, backing away from commentary earlier in the day that suggested he wanted to permanently require interstate travellers to disclose their personal details prior to arriving
#wanews
Liberal candidate for the Rockingham by-election Peter Hudson allegedly encouraged a constituent to ask his Labor opponent Magenta Marshall whether she intended to resign from Parliament if she fell pregnant “because that means 1+ years off the job”.
COLUMN: Two events in the past week provide a revealing insight into the Cook Government’s approach to the implementation of updated Aboriginal heritage laws.
WA’s newest MP has bemoaned the end of whaling in Albany 45 years ago, using her inaugural speech to Parliament to say it was based on a “lie” and liken the industry’s demise to the looming State ban on native forest logging.
Via
@RebLeMay
Former deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth has been accused of “operating in some sort of fantasy world” and “focusing on himself rather than the argument” in a withering attack by the head of WA’s peak body for doctors.
#wanews
He's in.
@BasilZempilas
confirms Perth Mayoral bid, reveals he's got a team of candidates ready to run for council and lays out his election platform.
#wanews
Mark McGowan has labelled any suggestion WA needs to rebuild its reputation with the eastern seaboard to attract interstate visitors a “rubbish argument” perpetuated by commentators “trying to find column inches and create stories”.
#wanews
Leaked St John Ambulance case logs lay bare the horrific circumstances endured by patients – many of them elderly – waiting to be admitted to WA’s overflowing emergency departments.
#wanews
Workers from seven industries — including nurses, school teachers and tradies — are preparing legal challenges to the McGowan Government’s vaccine mandates in the hopes of preserving the jobs of “many thousands” who have refused to be jabbed.
#wanews
Major change to WA's border settings for residents returning from overseas: can now skip hotel quarantine and self isolate at home... Provided you transit through another state on the way. Direct arrivals from overseas to WA still forced into hotel quarantine.
#wanews
Another conservative stronghold is on the brink of being toppled by Labor after incumbent MP Sean L’Estrange fell more than 200 votes behind in counting this afternoon.
#wanews
The WA Nationals have also resolved to run candidates in selected Perth-based Legislative Assembly seats at the 2025 election. A backup plan if a formal coalition with the Liberals can't be reached.
Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has used a capital city budget that delivers the lowest rate rise of any major council as a springboard into his re-election campaign, declaring he remained the right person for the job at a “pivotal time” for the CBD.