A suspected case of the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza has been detected in Western Australia, marking the first suspected instance on the continent. A brown skua seabird found dead at Cape Le Grand beach is undergoing genomic sequencing to confirm if it is H5N1.
A brown skua found dead at Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia, has tested positive for avian influenza. Further testing is underway to confirm if it is the H5N1 strain. A second bird, a giant petrel, is also being tested. Officials urge the public not to touch sick or dead birds.
A migratory wild bird found sick in Western Australia has tested positive for avian influenza, with results for the deadly H5N1 strain expected Saturday. This is the first suspected case on mainland Australia, prompting investigations and public health warnings.
Australia has confirmed a suspected case of the H5 bird flu strain in a wild migratory bird in Western Australia. If confirmed, this would mean the virus has spread to every continent, having already killed millions of birds and mammals worldwide.
Australia has confirmed a suspected case of the H5 bird flu strain in a wild migratory bird in Western Australia. If confirmed, this would mean the virus has spread to every continent, having already killed millions of birds and mammals globally. Authorities are awaiting further test results.
Western Australia will pilot real-time facial recognition cameras in police vans to scan crowds for wanted individuals, sex offenders, and missing persons. The technology will pixelate non-matches and delete data immediately, aiming to enhance community safety while addressing privacy concerns.
Western Australia Police will trial real-time facial recognition cameras in a marked van to scan crowds for wanted individuals, child sex offenders, and missing persons. The technology will cross-reference faces with a database, alerting officers to potential matches. Police aim to address privacy concerns by stating the system pixelates non-matches and deletes data immediately.
An Australian passenger, Peter Marsh, shared his experience after being repatriated from the hantavirus-struck MV Hondius cruise ship. He spent five weeks in quarantine in Western Australia, emphasizing the importance of the safety measures despite the tediousness.
A tree in remote Western Australia, once a site of brutal punishment for Aboriginal people, has been transformed into a symbol of healing and reconciliation. The 'whipping tree' in Warmun, where Kija woman Roberta Daylight's great-grandmother was whipped, was memorialized after a community commemoration, turning a painful past into a shared future.
Western Australia's auditor-general has warned that child and teen mental health reforms risk failure due to a lack of leadership and a credible plan from the Mental Health Commission. Promised in 2022 after a teen's suicide, only one of 32 recommendations has been completed.
A 22-year-old man was arrested in Western Australia after allegedly mistaking deadly death cap mushrooms for magic mushrooms while illegally foraging. Police found him with methamphetamine, MDMA, and the poisonous fungi.
Western Australia is overhauling its social housing waitlist for the first time in 70 years, prioritizing individuals with urgent and complex needs, including domestic violence survivors and rough sleepers, over a 'wait-your-turn' system. A new matrix will assess safety, housing circumstances, medical conditions, accessibility, and cultural considerations, with reforms aiming for early 2028 implementation after a year of consultation.
Western Australia is overhauling its social housing waitlist for the first time in 70 years, prioritizing individuals with urgent and complex needs, including domestic violence survivors and rough sleepers. A new matrix system will assess applicants based on safety, housing circumstances, medical conditions, accessibility, and cultural considerations, moving away from a simple wait-time approach.
Two remote Western Australian islands, Koolan and Cockatoo, have been sold for multi-million dollars to be transformed into transport logistics hubs. Koolan Island, previously an iron ore mine, will become a sea and air hub for offshore industries, while Cockatoo Island will also be developed into a multi-user hub.
Harm reduction services in Western Australia report a doubling in demand for sterile injecting equipment for synthetic peptide use over the past three years, driven by social media trends and influencers promoting unapproved substances for weight loss and anti-aging. Experts warn of unknown long-term risks and potential contamination from the unregulated grey market.
New evidence reveals Queensland police failures prior to toddler Mason Lee's death 10 years ago. Donald Trump calls for restraint after Israel targets Beirut, with a US-Iran ceasefire deal shaky. Farmers battle a severe mouse plague across Australia's grain belt, and the Socceroos start their World Cup campaign with a win.
Western Australia is experiencing a severe mouse plague, with unprecedented numbers causing widespread damage to crops and a pervasive, offensive odor in affected towns. Farmers face significant financial and psychological burdens, while regulatory delays in approving stronger poisons have exacerbated the crisis.
A black-headed gull spotted in Geraldton, Western Australia, has ignited excitement among Australian birders, known as 'twitchers.' This event, alongside the recent sighting of a Cocos booby in New South Wales, highlights the dedication of birdwatchers who travel extensively to add rare species to their lists.
Public swimming pools in remote Western Australian communities like Balgo and Kalumburu are providing vital health, hygiene, and social benefits, acting as safe havens for residents, especially children. Managed by Royal Life Saving, these pools help combat skin diseases and offer a controlled environment away from natural hazards like crocodiles.
One Nation is surging in Australian politics, outpolling Labor and the Coalition for the first time. The party's leader, Pauline Hanson, is tapping into voter anger over economic issues and broken promises, while opposition leader Angus Taylor struggles to connect with voters in Western Australia. Analysts suggest highlighting Hanson's hypocrisy and lack of policy substance could be key to regaining support.
Severe storms have caused significant coastal erosion in Western Australia, threatening businesses and homes in Lancelin, Port Denison, and Horrocks. Residents and local governments are seeking urgent state funding to combat the issue, with some experts suggesting retreat may be the only viable option.
Sienna Toohey (17) qualifies for Commonwealth Games by winning 100m breaststroke at Australian Swimming Trials, beating Ella Ramsay. Kaylee McKeown overcomes illness to secure 100m backstroke spot.
A man spearfishing with his family off Western Australia's south coast was killed by a 4.5m shark, marking the third fatal shark attack in Australia in three weeks.
Monsignor John Cyril Hawes, a renowned architect and Catholic priest, is being considered for sainthood by the Diocese of Geraldton, 70 years after his death, for his remarkable life and contributions to Western Australia's religious architecture.
