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NationalWAWA news live

As it happened: WA news on Monday, June 8

Updated ,first published

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:

  • Authorities are working to determine the species of shark that killed a spearfisher off Albany at the weekend.

  • WA opposition leader Basil Zempilas has addressed the recent rise of One Nation at a Leadership Matters breakfast in Perth this morning, and says he remains open to working with the party ahead of the next state election.

  • Zempilas also vowed to bring the state’s Sunday trading laws inline with the rest of the country.

  • The teenager accused of pushing over an elderly lollipop man and stealing his hat and whistle has appeared in court this morning and pleaded guilty.

  • Australian Medical Association WA president Dr Kyle Hoath has welcomed a proposal by the state opposition to build a new public hospital at Yanchep and commit to upgrades at Joondalup Health Campus if they win the next election.

  • Dozens of West Australians have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours, including former treasurer Ben Wyatt, former Nationals leader Brendon Grylls and Indigenous advocate Mechelle Turvey.

  • Jake Waterman officially has the goalkicking yips, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident the All-Australian forward will soon regain his mojo.

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

Eagles back frustrated Waterman to regain magic touch

By Justin Chadwick

Jake Waterman officially has the goalkicking yips, but West Coast coach Andrew McQualter is confident the All-Australian forward will soon regain his mojo.

Waterman announced himself as a star forward of the competition in 2024 following an outstanding return of 53.23 in a struggling side.

Jake Waterman was on fire for the Eagles, but still missed a lot of getable goals.Getty Images

The 28-year-old followed it up with 17.9 last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in round 11.

But Waterman’s noted goalkicking accuracy has totally deserted him this year, to the point where he is now resorting to snap set shots whenever possible.

The West Australian figures awarded OAMs today

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Dozens of West Australians have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday honours, including former treasurer Ben Wyatt, former Nationals leader Brendon Grylls and Indigenous advocate Mechelle Turvey.

Ben Wyatt.Trevor Collens

Wyatt now works in the private sector and serves on several boards including Crown Resorts, Perth Festival, Rio Tinto, Woodside and the West Coast Eagles.

He was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia, the second-highest grade, for distinguished service to the people and Parliament of Western Australia, to the Indigenous community, to corporate governance and to the not-for-profit sector.

He was joined by former political opponent Brendon Grylls, who was the leader of the National Party in WA from 2005 to 2013, and again in 2016. He was also the architect of the Royalties for Regions policy.

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Liberals, doctors’ lobby want new hospital in Yanchep

By Michael Philipps

Australian Medical Association WA president Dr Kyle Hoath has welcomed a proposal by the state opposition to build a new public hospital at Yanchep and commit to upgrades at Joondalup Health Campus if they win the next election.

The first stage of the Liberal-National coalition’s plans for the Yanchep Health Campus will include a $600 million hospital with capacity for up to 250 beds, a 24-hour emergency department, inpatient and outpatient services, mental health capabilities and room for future expansion.

The proposal also includes a $250m investment to upgrade JHC to a major tertiary teaching hospital.

Hoath said while he didn’t want to see parties politicising health, he was excited to hear commitments towards building hospitals.

“So I think it’s a great announcement from the opposition, and what I’d really like to see next is both sides of politics coming together to look at what the future of health looks like in WA,” he said.

Perth teen pleads guilty to pushing lollipop man over, stealing his whistle

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The teenager accused of pushing over an elderly lollipop man and stealing his hat and whistle has appeared in court this morning.

Jatin Pedaruth, 18, pleaded guilty to the May 19 stealing and assault charges in the Armadale Magistrate’s Court this morning.

Vision of the incident was released by police to track down the offender. WA Police

His victim was a traffic warden, 87, who had just finished his morning shift helping children cross the road on Third Avenue near a school in Rossmoyne.

Pedaruth, who has no prior record, will be sentenced at a later date.

Zempilas will extend Sunday trading, lift uranium mining ban if elected in 2029

By Michael Philipps

Sticking with this morning’s Leadership Breakfast and state opposition leader Basil Zempilas has vowed to bring the state’s Sunday trading laws inline with the rest of the country,

Zempilas said current trading restrictions were archaic and out of touch with other capital cities around the nation.

Extended Sunday trading hours will provide an additional 12 hours of retail trade in the lead up to Christmas.David Goldman

“As we work towards the March 2029 election we will release a suite of comprehensive policies, but this morning I want to share some things we are going to get on with straight away,” he said.

“Some of these we can pursue from opposition, others will deliver the moment we get into government.

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Zempilas says he’s open to working with One Nation

By Michael Philipps

WA opposition leader Basil Zempilas has addressed the recent rise of One Nation at a Leadership Matters breakfast in Perth this morning, and says he remains open to working with the party ahead of the next state election.

According to recent polls, the Pauline Hanson-led party has overtaken the current Albanese government in terms of popularity.

Zempilas said ignoring One Nation would be ignoring the will of the people.

“From my vantage point that’s what I see the rise of One Nation as, they are a rising political movement, and because of that, One Nation deserve respect,” he said.

“If their support holds, inevitably it will be people in my position’s job to find a way to work with or alongside One Nation.

“That will be important, and it’s something that at this stage, almost three years away from our next state election, I have an open mind about.”

Leader of the opposition of Western Australia, Basil Zempilas.AAPIMAGE

‘Shark culling doesn’t work’: WA government accuses Nationals of politicising Albany tragedy

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Authorities are working to determine the species of shark that killed a spearfisher off Albany at the weekend.

Daniel Turpin, 35, was attacked about 11.20am on Saturday morning while 10 metres off the coast of Michaelmas Island, in King George Sound.

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The death is the second in Western Australia in the past three weeks, with the Nationals calling for the state’s shark mitigation strategy to be reviewed.

“The simple request is just do a complete analysis and review on the current shark mitigation strategy,” opposition fisheries spokeswoman Kirrilee Warr said.

Across the nation and around the world

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Here’s what’s making headlines across the country and around the world today:

  • Professor Richard Scolyer, the former Australian of the Year who undertook an experimental treatment for his highly aggressive brain cancer, has died at the age of 59.
Passionate, driven and dedicated to improving outcomes for patients: Richard Scolyer at Petersham Park in February.Video stills: Audrey Richardson
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Today’s weather

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