WA news LIVE: Labor promises to cool Perth schools; Homicide squad at scene of ‘family violence’ incident in Clarkson

As Matildas striker Sam Kerr fights to clear her name in court, Interim Australia coach Tom Sermanni says he expects the team’s captain to be back playing next month.

The 31-year-old is in court in the UK this week, facing a charge of racially aggravated abuse of a police officer following a night out in London in 2023.

Footage played in court in England on Monday showed the Matildas star labelling a police officer “stupid and white”.

Kerr denies the charge.

The striker is still recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and wasn’t included in a Matildas squad named by Sermanni for SheBelieves Cup fixtures in the USA later this month.

Sermanni, however, is confident the 128-cap international will be ready to play as soon as March.
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A 25-year-old man has died in Perth’s south after the motorcycle he was riding and a car crashed this morning.

The black Kawasaki motorcycle and red Hyundai Elantra sedan collided at the intersection of Safety Bay Road and Arpenteur Drive in Baldivis, about 7.05am on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old received critical injuries and was rushed to Rockingham Hospital, where he later died.

The 34-year-old woman in the Hyundai received minor injuries and was taken to the same hospital as a precaution.

Officers from the Major Crash Investigation Section are asking for help from the public to gather ore information about the fatal crash.

They have urged anyone who saw, or has information relating to the crash, or who saw either vehicle travelling in the area prior to the crash, to contact Crime Stoppers.

During the 12 months ending December 2024, WA recorded an 17 per cent increase in road deaths.

If you or anyone you know has been affected by a road crash, contact Road Trauma Support WA on 1300 004 814.

The police homicide squad is at the scene of a serious alleged family violence incident in Clarkson this morning.

Emergency services were called to the home on Elsbury Approach about 6.25am on Tuesday, arriving to find a 72-year-old man and 52-year-old woman with serious injuries.

Police at the scene of an alleged family violence homicide in Clarkson this morning.Credit: 9News Perth

The woman was rushed to hospital by St John Ambulance, but the man died at the scene.

A man in his 30s – believed to be the elderly man’s son – was arrested at the scene and is assisting police with their inquiries.

“All parties are known to each other and at this stage police believe the incident is family violence related,” a police spokeswoman said.

Anyone with information that could help police, or CCTV or dashcam vision of the area between 5.30am and 6.30am on Tuesday, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a report online.

To the election campaign trail now, where WA Labor has promised to “cool the schools” with an $89 million promise to upgrade the air-conditioning of 45 public schools if re-elected.

Premier Roger Cook (centre) and Education Minister Tony Buti (right) speak with students. Credit: Hamish Hastie

Speaking at Newborough Primary School in Karrinyup, which will be one of the first schools to have its evaporative air-conditioning replaced with reverse-cycle, Premier Roger Cook said some classrooms were recording temperatures of 30 degrees, which was impacting learning.

The work would begin this year and be complete by the end of the next term of government, he promised.

Education Minister Tony Buti said about 500 schools across the state required air-conditioning upgrades and Labor had committed to completing that work over the long term.

Perth’s median house sale price rose 1.4 per cent in January to $750,000, a heart-palpitating 23.0 per cent higher than January 2024, according to REIWA.

The median unit sale price also rose, increasing 1 per cent, and 20.5 per cent year-on-year to $500,000.

REIWA chief executive Cath Hart said prices were rising slower than last year.

The softer market at the moment was typical of festive season activity but also reflected the easing of “FOMO” seen in the latter part of 2024.

Members were reporting that buyers were being more discerning and generally taking more time.

Well-presented homes in sought-after areas were still seeing good numbers at home opens and selling quickly, while other properties could see less interest and take longer.

“While conditions still favour sellers, it is important for them to listen to their agent regarding presentation and appropriate pricing,” she said.

The suburbs that saw the most growth in January:

• Scarborough (up 2.7 per cent to $1,204,000)
• Dawesville (up 2.5 per cent to $717,500)
• Camillo (up 1.8 per cent to $580,000)
• Greenfields (up 1.7 per cent to $590,000)
• Port Kennedy (up 1.5 per cent to $690,000)

Houses in Perth sold in a median 22 days in January, seven days slower than December and 13 days slower than a year ago.

Units sold in a median 17 days, two days slower month-on-month and four days slower than January 2024.

Again, Hart said, this was partly the festive season slowdown but also reflected the change in sentiment.

Autumn might still be busier, but she expected to see days on market increase further over 2025.

Active listings were 8.5 per cent higher than at the end of December and 25.5 per cent higher than a year ago.

Rents also still rising, but slower

Perth’s median rent rose 3.1 per cent to $670 per week in January, 8.9 per cent higher than the same time last year.

“What is of note is the significant decline in the annual growth rates,” Hart said.

“A year ago, the annual growth rate was 18.3 per cent for dwellings, 16.4 per cent for houses and 20.8 per cent for units.”

Listings for rent were also 24.1 per cent higher than December and 17.4 per cent higher than the same time last year.

A painter in his 60s has died after falling from a ladder in Mandurah on Thursday.

He was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital but died on Monday of his injuries.

Worksafe are investigating.

CFMEU WA secretary Mick Buchan expressed condolences to the man’s family and said the incident highlighted the need for new working-from-heights legislation to take effect immediately.

In September, the transitional period to adhere to the new laws was extended following concerns from industry that employers were not ready.

“We have campaigned tirelessly to create awareness around the inherent dangers of working at heights, and to prevent needless deaths resulting from inaction and the abuse of basic safety guidelines that exist solely to put a stop to tragic outcomes such as these,” Buchan said.

“With the state government, Housing Industry Association and Chamber of Commerce and Industry extending a transitional period for new falls-from-heights legislation, you have to ask – what are we waiting for? How many more lives and families need to be destroyed before somebody gets the message?

“This is a dire situation, the numbers continue to climb ... another day, another incident. It’s just not good enough.

“We urge everyone to be vigilant in protecting themselves and the safety of others on site. It’s simple: if it doesn’t feel safe, don’t do it.

“There is nothing more important than everyone returning home safely at the end of the day.”

WorkSafe is also investigating an incident in which a young worker suffered serious injuries when he fell approximately nine metres at a community centre in Brentwood, also on Thursday.

Eighteen years after an armed robbery at a Southern River home offence, cold case detectives have used advances in forensic technology to charge a 54-year-old man.

They allege that about 8pm on October 9, 2006, he turned up dressed as a maintenance worker, claiming he was sent to repair structural damage at the front of the home, then allegedly threatened the home’s occupants with a knife and tied them up before stealing various items and fleeing.

A 54-year-old man from Ferndale was charged with three counts of aggravated armed robbery, three counts of deprivation of liberty, and one count of aggravated burglary and committing an offence in a dwelling.

He is due to appear at Perth Magistrates Court today.

In other police news from overnight, officers have charged a 40-year-old man over an alleged hit and run in Kununurra on Friday evening, which left the 39-year-old female pedestrian with serious injuries.

The 40-year-old man from Kununurra was charged with failing to stop and ensure assistance was received after an incident occasioning grievous bodily harm, and failing to report an incident occasioning death or grievous bodily harm.

He is due to appear before Kununurra Magistrates Court today.

The man who drowned at Bremer Bay while attempting to save two children from a rip last month has been identified as a father of three and former member of the Royal Australian Navy.

Ricky Harris had entered the water at Native Dog Beach with a group of four people to save two young children – including his own son – from a rip when he found himself in trouble on January 14.

Ricky Harris, 43, died while trying to two children including his son while on holiday in Bremer Bay.Credit: GoFundMe

Harris was taken to shore, where he was given emergency first aid as police and paramedics rushed to the scene.

He was taken by ambulance to Bremer Bay Nursing Post, but could not be revived.

A GoFundMe page set up at the end of January described Harris as “a loving son, brother, brother-in-law, son-in-law, and uncle” who dedicated 12 years of his life to the navy, before joining mining contractor Linkforce.

The fundraiser, organised by David Hodgson on behalf of Harris’ wife, Aurelie, aimed to raise money for funeral costs, day-to-day expenses and to provide a foundation for the Harris family.

“Ricky was more than a hero in his final moments—he was a loving father and husband, a dedicated colleague, a loyal friend, and someone who always put others before himself,” the post read.

As of Monday night, almost $60,000 had been raised of the $100,000 goal.

Harris’ death came within an hour of another drowning tragedy in Perth’s east, after 17-year-old Tyler Jury died while swimming at Lake Leschenaultia.

WA has had a tragic start to the year in this regard, with 40-year-old Olya Tikhanova also drowning after being swept off rocks near Esperance, and Dr Mohammad Shahidul Hasan Swapan and his wife Sabrina Ahmed drowning while trying to save their daughter at Conspicuous Cliff beach near Walpole. Another man died last week after being pulled from the water in the Mandurah estuary.

Here’s what’s making headlines today:

• A Coalition promise to allow small businesses to claim a tax deduction for business lunches could punch a $10 billion a year hole in the federal budget, the federal government has claimed as it attacks the opposition’s fiscal credentials.

Peter Dutton pledged last month to give small businesses a tax break for lunches.Credit: Louie Douvis

• Prices for more expensive homes are falling faster than prices for cheaper homes, as high interest rates reduce buyers’ borrowing capacity and drive demand towards more affordable options.
• A 17-year-old girl has died after being bitten by a shark off Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon.
• The nation’s biggest businesses are urging the federal government and opposition to adopt US President Donald Trump’s attack on red tape, warning that Australians’ living standards will fall without slicing regulations.
• A US judge has admonished lawyers for Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, telling them they should not publicly discuss the actors’ competing civil lawsuits stemming from Lively’s claim that Baldoni sexually harassed her while filming the movie It Ends With Us.
• SEN Radio has parted ways with prominent cricket journalist Peter Lalor halfway through Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka over his social media activity relating to Palestine.

Getting warmer today, a top of 36 degrees.