Latest news and comment on Western Australian politics
June 2024
Shadow energy minister says system in ‘dire trouble’ – as it happened
WA opposition leader Shane Love denies bullying former Nationals colleague Louise Kingston
May 2024
Present Tense
On Australia’s climate and extinction crises, the major parties both have questions to answer
Adam Morton
The Coalition has no climate policy. But Labor’s positions are undermined by its confused stance on gas and the delay of new environmental laws
The dirt files
‘A lot of asbestos in the streets’: WA declares ‘hazmat emergency’ after tornado hits Bunbury
More than 100 homes damaged when tornado ripped off roofs, collapsed walls and sucked up debris in state’s south-west
Two 17-year-old climate activists claim WA premier Roger Cook defamed them over Woodside protest
Emma Heyink and Tom Power say the premier made false comments about protest at company’s annual general meeting
March 2024
Surge in WA emissions puts Australia’s net zero targets in doubt
Exclusive: State’s 2024 total on track to reach about 20% above 2005 levels, modelling obtained by Guardian Australia shows
February 2024
Out in the cold
‘Like a knife through the heart’: two years after his desperate death, George Abraham was asked if he still needed housing
The young Noongar man’s mother says he took his own life after his family were evicted from their home in Perth
January 2024
Other states rebuff Albanese government’s deal with WA to boost public school funding
States say they will not take up co-funded deal, calling for commonwealth to unilaterally close funding gap
October 2023
Mark McGowan phone call allegation puts fossil fuel influence in WA under spotlight
Former premier’s behaviour, if true, is ‘certainly improper’ and ‘ethically questionable’ and shows power of oil and gas interests, Carmen Lawrence says
August 2023
Western Australian MP admitted alleged child sexual abuse to wife before charges laid, court told
Divisive, confusing and stressful: Western Australia’s Aboriginal cultural heritage laws in a mess
WA premier Roger Cook axes Aboriginal cultural heritage laws after outcry by landholders
WA cultural heritage laws: Indigenous group condemns reports of Labor backflip ‘within days’
July 2023
Rockingham byelection: WA premier plays down swing from Labor as party holds on to Mark McGowan’s old seat
Clive Palmer sues Australia for $41.3bn over alleged free trade rule breach
June 2023
Legalise Cannabis makes united push for personal marijuana use in three Australian states
Allegations of abuse at centre accused of ‘extreme religious practices’ raised in WA before Coalition’s $4m grant
May 2023
Full Story
WA’s premier, Mark McGowan: political rockstar or Crood? – Full Story podcast
Laura Murphy-Oates speaks to Western Australian reporter Narelle Towie on Mark McGowan’s rise to national prominence and what led to his resignation
Roger Cook set to become Western Australia’s next premier
The 57-year-old is expected to replace Mark McGowan after Amber-Jade Sanderson withdrew from leadership race
Mark McGowan: why the only way was down for Western Australia’s political rock star
After being lauded for his tough Covid response and winning the most one-sided election in Australian history, Labor premier goes out at the top
