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As it happened: WA news on Tuesday, June 9

Updated ,first published
Pinned post from 4.28pm on Jun 9, 2026
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Inspector issues show cause notice over ‘systemic failure’ in WA prisons

By Michael Philipps

A new report has urged a whole-of-government reform response to the state of three of WA’s prisons, warning of a “systemic failure across multiple prisons”.

Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan’s report outlined deteriorating conditions at Hakea, Casuarina and Melaleuca, prisons which has led to a show cause notice.

The report draws parallels between the state of the current prison system and the conditions that led to the Greenough Regional Prison riot in 2018.

Inside one of the cells at Hakea Prison.Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services

The inspector identified serious risks to the safety, security and wellbeing of prisoners, with conditions in some cases potentially amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

“Sustained population growth and workforce shortfalls have driven overcrowding, routine lockdowns and restricted access to services, increasing levels of harm across the system,” the report states.

Ryan said the prison problems were no longer confined to a single facility.

“Current conditions pose a serious risk to the safety and wellbeing of both prisoners and staff, and in some cases may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” he said.

“The system is operating beyond its capacity, with overcrowding, workforce pressures and restrictive regimes now embedded as the norm.”

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Today’s headlines

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We’re bringing our live blog to a close for the day, thank you for joining us.

Here’s a recap of some of the day’s headlines:

  • Albany residents are divided over whether a shark cull is needed after local man Daniel Turpin was killed by a suspected 4.5-metre shark off the coast of the regional town on Saturday while spearfishing.

  • Police are on the hunt for several people suspected of stealing a significant quantity of “high-value” jewellery and money from a woman in her 80s in Perth’s eastern suburbs.
  • Western Australia recorded the strongest property value rise in the nation for the March quarter, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

  • Fremantle Dockers ruckman Luke Jackson has surged into the top three of the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award after scoring a perfect 10 for his dominant display against North Melbourne on Saturday.

  • A new report has urged a whole-of-government reform response to the state of three of WA’s prisons, warning of a “systemic failure across multiple prisons”.

  • A deal to rescue iconic retailer Barbeques Galore from administration has collapsed, with up to 500 jobs to go – including 14 in WA – as the group synonymous with Australia’s barbecue culture prepares to shut its remaining company stores in the coming weeks.

  • Perth man Steven Mattaboni has been farewelled at an emotional service at Optus Stadium’s River Room.

  • WA Nationals leader Shane Love says Labor’s ban on uranium mining is preventing the state from capitalising on growing demand for the resource, as the opposition vowed to overturn the legislation if it reached power.

Thank you again for tuning in today. We’ll see you back here tomorrow for more news you need to know.

WA ‘being left behind’ by uranium mining ban: Nationals

By Michael Philipps

WA Nationals leader Shane Love says Labor’s ban on uranium mining is preventing the state from capitalising on growing demand for the resource, as the opposition vowed to overturn the legislation if it reached power.

The ban was brought in by the Mark McGowan-led government in 2017 and prohibits the granting of new uranium mining leases.

The WA Liberals will reverse the ban on uranium mining if elected.'Supplied

Companies are still legally allowed to explore for the resource, but are no permitted to mine it.

Love said WA had some of the largest uranium deposits in the world and has been mined safely in other jurisdictions around the nation.

Perth shark attack victim farewelled at Optus Stadium

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Perth man Steven Mattaboni has been farewelled at an emotional service at Optus Stadium’s River Room.

Mourners filled the venue for a two-hour service for the beloved father and husband, who died after being attacked by a shark while spearfishing at Horseshoe Reef on Rottnest Island three weeks ago.

Steven Mattaboni and his wife Shirene.

Family and friends, including teammates from the Kingsley Football Club, gathered outside the venue as Mattaboni’s casket arrived at the stadium, before filing in to remember and pay tribute their mate, “Mattas”.

Speaking a week after the 38-year-old’s death, long-time friend Liam Thomas said Mattaboni had two great loves: his family and the ocean.

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Workers at 14 WA stores to be impacted as Barbeques Galore collapses

By Colin Kruger and Jessica Yun

A deal to rescue iconic retailer Barbeques Galore from administration has collapsed, with up to 500 jobs to go – including 14 in WA – as the group synonymous with Australia’s barbecue culture prepares to shut its remaining company stores in the coming weeks.

The group’s receivers said creditors had backed an agreement to keep Barbeques Galore operating but failed to reach commercially acceptable terms with landlords and suppliers. The retailer fell into administration and receivership in February.

Barbeques Galore is expected to close after a plan to restructure the retailer failed.Nick Moir

Barbeques Galore has a network of 89 stores, 62 of which are company-owned and will undergo a controlled wind-up process from June 16. The remaining 27 franchisee-owned stores are independently operated and will work through “transitional arrangements”.

Any rescue deal to keep Barbeques Galore out of a liquidation process was always conditional on negotiations between landlords and suppliers, said the company’s receivers, headed by Quentin Olde, in a statement.

While Barbeques Galore has been under receivership, suppliers have been paid upfront for stock. Under the proposed deal, suppliers were to move back to normal arrangements where stock was supplied on credit, but some suppliers wished to be paid earlier than the proposed terms, he added.

Read the full story here.

Pinned post from 4.28pm on Jun 9, 2026

Inspector issues show cause notice over ‘systemic failure’ in WA prisons

By Michael Philipps

A new report has urged a whole-of-government reform response to the state of three of WA’s prisons, warning of a “systemic failure across multiple prisons”.

Inspector of Custodial Services Eamon Ryan’s report outlined deteriorating conditions at Hakea, Casuarina and Melaleuca, prisons which has led to a show cause notice.

The report draws parallels between the state of the current prison system and the conditions that led to the Greenough Regional Prison riot in 2018.

Inside one of the cells at Hakea Prison.Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services

The inspector identified serious risks to the safety, security and wellbeing of prisoners, with conditions in some cases potentially amounting to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Jackson’s dominance gets coaches’ applause

By Michael Philipps

Fremantle Dockers ruckman Luke Jackson has surged into the top three of the AFL Coaches Association player of the year award after scoring a perfect 10 for his dominant display against North Melbourne on Saturday.

Jackson and Shai Bolton (7th) are the only WA-based players currently in the top 10 for this year’s award.

Luke Jackson, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy sing the Fremantle song after the win on Saturday.Getty

Andrew Brayshaw (8 votes), Patrick Voss (6), Sam Switkowski (2), Hayden Young (2), Josh Treacy (1) and Nathan O’Driscoll (1) were the players to catch the eyes of the coaches in the match, with no Kangaroos players receiving a vote in the 121-point drubbing at Hands Oval in BUnbury on Saturday afternoon.

For the West Coast Eagles, Tom McCarthy (4), Harley Reid (2) and Tim Kelly (1) received votes in the club’s six-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night at Optus Stadium.

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Update: Kwinana truck fire extinguished

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Firefighters have managed to extinguish the truck fire that sparked a hazmat warning for Perth’s south.

A DFES alert says the incident is now contained and under control, with those in the area bounded by Barter Road, Leath Road, Mason Road and the coast no longer facing smoke or fumes from the blaze.

Some roads may remain closed as firefighters patrol the area and mop up.

Hazmat fire warning for Kwinana after rubbish truck catches alight

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A hazmat fire warning has been issued for Kwinana Beach and Naval Base, with a rubbish truck fire sending “potentially dangerous” smoke billowing across the suburbs.

The alert was sent out just after 11am, with people in the area urged to remain inside, close doors and windows and turn off their air conditioners.

“People in the area bounded by Barter Road, Leath Road, Mason Road and the Coast may be impacted by smoke,” the Department of Fire and Emergency Services alert read.

Some roads in the area may be closed as firefighters battle the blaze.

We’ll bring you more on this story as it happens.

WA leading the pack as home values soar across the nation

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Western Australia recorded the strongest property value rise in the nation for the March quarter, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The mean price for residential properties rose 7.2 per cent in WA and 2.5 per cent nationally, with the next strongest growth seen in Queensland, where values rose 4.6 per cent.

Perth house values are rising faster than the rest of the nation.WAtoday

Victoria was the only state or territory where values fell over the quarter, recording a decline of 0.3 per cent.

“Growth in dwelling values moderated this quarter, following a strong rise in late 2025,” said Dr Mish Tan, the ABS’ head of finance statistics.

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‘High-value’ jewellery, cash, stolen from elderly woman in Perth’s east

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Turning to crime news, police are on the hunt for several people suspected of stealing a significant quantity of “high-value” jewellery and money from a woman in her 80s in Perth’s eastern suburbs.

Sometime between 7.30am and 1.30pm on May 28, the offenders forced entry into a home on Coulston Way in Gosnells and rummaged through the victim’s belonging.

Some of the items stolen. WA Police

She was not home at the time.

Inside a safe, they found a significant amount of cash and large quantity of jewellery, including a sovereign coin bracelet.

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