As it happened: WA news on Monday, February 3

We’re closing our blog for the day, thank you for joining us.

In case you missed them, here’s some of the day’s top stories:

• Resolute Mining chief Terry Holohan has stepped down just two months after he spent a fortnight being held by Mali’s military junta, forcing the company to hand over $247 million

• The Nationals have vowed to deliver a $7 million multipurpose and evacuation centre for the regional town of Kalbarri, if elected.

• Premier Roger Cook said he wouldn’t be surprised if the culprit behind antisemitic graffiti sprayed in Dalkeith was a copycat emulating similar attacks on the east coast, but said he hoped police “get them and … throw the book at them.”

• A proposal to extend the life of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s ‘Super Pit’ has been recommended for approval by the Environmental Protection Authority, subject to conditions, after a detailed assessment.

• Tame Impala’s collaboration with French dance act Justice for Neverender has won best dance/electronic recording. It’s the first-ever Grammy win for Kevin Parker’s band after previously being nominated four times.

• A historic Fremantle building has been gutted by fire, with fears what remains of the structure could collapse just four days after the property was sold to a new buyer.

• Labor is targeting working parents in its latest election pitch, announcing $33.8 million for free, full-time Kindergarten if re-elected.
• The AFL has closed its investigation into a brawl involving West Coast Eagles star Liam Ryan, clearing the premiership player of any wrongdoing after footage of the fight emerged last month.

The workplace safety watchdog is investigating after a painter in his 60s died following a fall on a worksite in Mandurah last week.

The man was working from an A-frame ladder on Thursday when he fell, leaving him with critical injuries.

WorkSafe reported the man died on Monday.

Commissioner Sally North said the man’s death was a tragedy.

The watchdog is also investigating another fall at a community centre in Brentwood, which also happened on Thursday.

In that incident, a young worker suffered serious injuries when he fell about nine metres.

In case you missed it earlier, WA’s Sam Kerr will appear in a London court on Monday night (AWST) for the first day of a criminal trial in which she is accused of the racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.

Sam Kerr outside Kingston Crown Court on January 14, 2025.Credit: Nine

Kerr is accused of calling a police officer a variation of “stupid white bastard” (according to the UK Newspaper The Sun) or “stupid white cop” (according to News Corp Australia) after a dispute over a taxi fare in south-west London.

The Matildas captain could face time in jail if she is found guilty of the offence from the incident which occurred on January 30, 2023.

Kerr’s legal team unsuccessfully attempted to have the charges dismissed on the grounds that there had been an abuse of process given the delay between the incident and the charges being laid.

Read everything you need to know ahead of the first day of the trial here.

It is expected to last four to five days.

To sport news now, and the AFL has closed its investigation into a brawl involving West Coast Eagles premiership star Liam Ryan, after footage of the fight emerged last month.

Ryan and an unidentified man were filmed scuffling on the streets of Fremantle in front of a group of onlookers following the Juicy Fest music festival at Fremantle Oval on January 15.

Liam Ryan was trying to de-escalate an incident when he was drawn into a brawl last month, the AFL said.Credit: Getty Images

The Eagles stood by Ryan, and he continued with pre-season training while the matter was reported to the AFL’s integrity unit.

In a statement on Monday, the AFL announced Ryan had been cleared by police and would face no action from the league after its investigations found he had been trying to de-escalate the incident.

“The AFL Integrity Unit inquiries and investigations by WA Police determined that the altercation occurred after Ryan and his companions were the victims of an attack by a larger group of people whilst leaving the event,” the AFL said.

“WA police confirmed to the AFL that officers were in the area at the time of the fight and that Ryan was being treated as a witness to an incident where his group was pursued by a larger group, resulting in one of his female companions being assaulted and suffering facial injuries.

“It was determined that Ryan attempted to de-escalate the incident and walk away from the group before being confronted, leading to the fight that was captured on social media.”

The league added that Ryan had not been drinking at the event.

News of the brawl came the day after Ryan was named in the 2025 Indigenous All Stars team to take on the Fremantle Dockers on February 15 at Optus Stadium.

The 28-year-old is one of West Coast’s biggest stars and an important cog in leading the club through its biggest-ever rebuild.

Edith Cowan University has revealed its new branding ahead of students starting back for 2025 – the first time it has been updated in over two decades.

ECU’s new logo. Yay or nay? Credit: ECU/ Supplied

Their decision to go for a simpler palette and a “subtle gum leaf motif” has also been timed for the launch of the new CBD campus opening in 2026.

Signage updates will be focused on the city campus followed by a phased implementation across Joondalup, South West and Sri Lanka campuses over the next 12 months.

ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said it was the perfect time for a refreshed look.

“The subtle gum leaf motif pays tribute to Edith’s ‘Tough Nut’ brooch which she gave to her supporters when she was first elected to parliament, in 1921,” she said.

“Edith was told at the time that the electoral seat of West Perth was a ‘tough nut to crack’ and this became her iconic symbol. Now, it’s our celebration of courage, creativity and optimism.

”This is a powerful visual statement of our innovation, ambition and dedication to empowering future generations through education.”

Some more news from the election trail this morning and the WA Liberals have also announced a significant funding promise aimed squarely at young families.

Mettam joined her early childhood education spokeswoman Donna Faragher at the Ngala parenting support services headquarters in South Perth this morning to announce $33.6 million to open the charity’s residential parenting service to all parents.

WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam says the election promise will help young families with newborns.Credit: Trevor Collens

Currently, Ngala can only offer the parenting service for mums at their wits’ end with their newborn to those with private health insurance, or who are sent there by the Department of Communities.

Mettam said the money would allow them to open the service to everyone.

“The perinatal period is a time of great adjustment and change for families, with some experiencing significant stress which requires greater support and intervention,” she said.

“This funding will allow Ngala to recruit additional nurses and to engage with more families with no out-of-pocket expense. It will be a service that 100 per cent of families can access if they need further assistance during this critical period.”

Ngala chief executive Michelle Dillon said the organisation had 10,000 calls a year, but had to send the vast majority away if they didn’t have insurance.

She said the money would allow them to open up their 11 adult and 12 child beds seven days a week so they could see about 1000 more families a year.

Faragher took the opportunity to lash Labor’s early childhood announcement by criticising its lack of detail.

“Is it compulsory? Is it not compulsory? Is it going to be for a full five days? Or will parents be given the choice for three days. If so, how will that impact teachers and the learning in the classroom?” she asked.

It’s good news for footy fans – particularly those who support the Fremantle Dockers.

Alex Pearce will lead Fremantle in the 2025 season – his third as captain – after being voted in by his teammates and coaches.

Alex Pearce will remain as the Dockers’ captain into a third season. Credit: AFL

The 29-year-old defender will continue to be supported by co-vice captains Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong.

There is one change to the leadership group, with young key forward Josh Treacy included for the first time.

“Alex’s leadership continues to grow and his values, work ethic and ability to inspire his teammates shows why he should continue to lead our Club,” football executive general manager Joe Brierty said in a statement on Monday.

“Alex embodies our trademark and the respect he commands among his peers and the coaching group was once again reflected in the voting process.

“In addition to Alex, it’s great to see his deputies Andy and Caleb continue to grow as leaders and be acknowledged by their peers for the dedication and commitment they display in all aspects of their football.”

Sticking with this morning’s press conference with the premier, where he was asked about the antisemitic graffiti painted on a Dalkeith home at the weekend.

A swastika next to the words “f--- Jews” was spray-painted in black paint on the Viking Road home sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Antisemitic graffiti in the Perth suburb of Dalkeith is covered up on Sunday.Credit: 9News Perth

Roger Cook said he wouldn’t be surprised if the culprit behind the graffiti was a copycat emulating similar attacks on the east coast, but said he hoped police “get them and … throw the book at them.”

“I’m sure that there are some young thugs out there that are picking up on east coast media and might simply be responding by saying, ‘Let’s get a rise out of and attract some attention to our activities by putting a swastika up on a wall’,” he said.

The Nazi symbol was graffitied on a give way sign in the same area.Credit: 9News Perth

“Others are motivated by much more sinister intent and WA Police are right on top of this matter.

“Our State Security Intelligence Unit has got deep insights into these incidences, and we hope, and we know that they will stop at nothing before until someone is apprehended, apprehended for these vile acts.”

If the culprit is arrested, it could be an early test of the state government’s Nazi hate symbol laws that passed parliament last year.

The laws ban the display of Nazi hate symbols and the performance of the Nazi salute in public and could attract a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment.

To state politics again, and we have just learnt a little more about Labor’s planned expansion of early childhood learning at 10 schools across the state from 2027.

For parents a little underwhelmed with the full-time free kindy promise – given it is two years away – the Minister for Early Childhood Education Sabine Winton was grilled on this at a press conference this morning.

Winton said the new early childhood education office established to coordinate the trial needed the time to find the 10 locations, hire the staff and get the curriculum sorted.

When asked when the changes could be rolled out across the state she said that may take up to 10 years.

There has been broad support for the commitments from groups like Minderoo and the WA Council of Social Services.

Minderoo Executive Director Communities Penny Dakin said the changes were a step on the path to putting children and families at the centre of government and community decision-making.

“As someone who has been working on improving outcomes for children for many years, these changes are a significant step-change for WA children and their families,” Dakin said.

In addition to the $33.8 million trial of a full-time kindy pilot, Premier Roger Cook has committed to $15 million to expand out-of-school hours care at more primary schools across the state.

First schools to get out of school care:

• Mount Lawley Primary School
• West Byford Primary School
• Jarrahdale Primary School
• Lesmurdie Primary School
• Maddington Primary School
• East Maddington Primary School
• Bramfield Park Primary School
• Nollamara Primary School
• Koorana Primary School
• Maylands Peninsula Primary School
• Sorrento Primary School
• Westminster Primary School
• Belmont Primary School
• Boyare Primary School
• Dryandra Primary School
• Swan View Primary School
• Maidens Park Primary School
• Manjimup Primary School

We’re back on the election campaign trail, this time with a push from the Nationals to keep the community of Kalbarri safe from natural disasters.

Nature’s Window over Murchison River Gorge in Kalbarri National Park is an iconic tourist destination.Credit: bennymarty

If elected, the party will deliver a $7 million multipurpose and evacuation centre for the regional town.

The centre would not only serve as a critical evacuation point, but would also be used for social events, performances, sporting activities, and community programs.

Nationals WA candidate for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr said the facility was long overdue after the devastation caused by Cyclone Seroja in 2021.

“Four years later, Kalbarri residents and visitors still have nowhere safe to go in an emergency, and it’s simply unacceptable,” she said.

“The $7 million commitment from Royalties for Regions will fully fund the project, ensuring Kalbarri gets the infrastructure it needs.”

Warr claimed the Labor government had pledged $104.5 million in disaster recovery funding, “yet less than 10 per cent of that money ever reached the people who needed it.”