As it happened: WA news on Monday, April 28

To this weekend’s federal election now, and more than 250,000 West Australians – or one in every seven enrolled adults – has already cast their vote.

Early polling figures released by the Australian Electoral Commission showed more than 200,000 West Australians had also applied to vote via the post.

The AEC estimates up to half of WA’s voting population, which stands at around 1.8 million, will vote before election day on Saturday.

However, unlike the state election, which was marred by long queues and booths running out of ballot papers, the AEC expects those voting on the day to be in-and-out within 15 minutes.

We’re bringing our blog to a close for the day, thank you for joining us.

Here are some of the headlines we covered today:

• As school bags and lunch boxes are being packed again today for the start of term 2, there’s a new cost of living relief available for families worth up to $250 per secondary school child thanks to the state government.

• Premier Roger Cook has insisted the agencies overseeing plans by billionaire Gina Rinehart to build a $250 million mixed-use development across the site of a century-old West Perth home are well-equipped to “get the balance right”, after revelations there were no legislative barriers preventing its demolition.

• The premier is also still waiting for a response from the NRL on his government’s revised offer to bring the Western Bears club to Perth.

• Western Australia has cemented its position as Australia’s top economic performer, according to the latest CommSec State of the State report released today.

• The AEC estimates up to half of WA’s voting population, which stands at around 1.8 million, will vote before election day on Saturday.

• WA and Carlton great Peter Bosustow, one of the game’s great showmen whose VFL career was as exciting and successful as it was brief, has died in Perth after a long illness. He was 67.

• A police operation targeting anti-social behaviour on our roads has led to eight unlicensed motorcycles being impounded and a ‘Ride Out’ event being cancelled.

Thank you for tuning in today, we’ll see you again tomorrow for more news you need to know.

A salt processing company has been fined $875,000 three years after a worker died at its North Coogee refinery.

The company, W.A.S.S. Nominees Pty Ltd, had pleaded guilty in Fremantle Magistrates Court last week to failing to provide and maintain safe plant at the workplace and, by that failure, causing the death of a worker.

The plant operator died when he was caught in a salt pit conveyor at WA Salt Supply early on the morning of July 16, 2022.

An investigation found the guard for that part of the conveyor was not in place at the time of the incident, and, even when in place, the guard was not always securely fixed.

While the investigation wasn’t able to determine when the guard had been removed, it did identify a problem that arose with the conveyor belt slipping, which operators sometimes managed by placing cardboard between the drive drum and conveyor belt.

This “fix” involved removing guarding.

A permanent fence was erected around the salt pit conveyor after the worker’s death, which – including an access gate fitted with a locked clasp and interlock switch that de-energised the conveyor motor when the gate was opened – cost a total of $13,784.

WorkSafe commissioner Sally North said the case was a tragic reminder of the importance of guarding and isolation procedures for equipment with hazardous moving parts.

A police operation targeting anti-social behaviour on our roads has led to eight unlicensed motorcycles being impounded and a ‘Ride Out’ event being cancelled.

The police operation targeted a ride-out in North Beach.Credit: WA Police

Similar events promoted online have led to people performing stunts on ATVs, dirt bikes, electric bikes and electric scooters while weaving through traffic.

Early intervention by police from Scarborough and Warwick stopped the group of up to 230 people in their tracks on Saturday night.

It resulted in eight unlicensed motorcycles being impounded and eight people being charged by summons with no authority to drive.

A 17-year-old from Greenwood was charged with failing to stop, no authority to drive and using an unlicensed vehicle on the road.

WA and Carlton great Peter Bosustow, one of the game’s great showmen whose VFL career was as exciting and successful as it was brief, has died in Perth after a long illness. He was 67.

Bosustow died in Perth early on Monday morning after a long illness, leaving behind his wife Shelley, son Brent and daughter Brooke.

“The Buzz” arrived at Carlton in 1981 and in the first of only three seasons in the VFL he won mark of the year, goal of the year and a premiership with the Blues. He electrified Carlton and the competition with an ability that matched his swagger, embodying the Blues of the early ’80s.

To this weekend’s federal election now, and more than 250,000 West Australians – or one in every seven enrolled adults – has already cast their vote.

Early polling figures released by the Australian Electoral Commission showed more than 200,000 West Australians had also applied to vote via the post.

The AEC estimates up to half of WA’s voting population, which stands at around 1.8 million, will vote before election day on Saturday.

However, unlike the state election, which was marred by long queues and booths running out of ballot papers, the AEC expects those voting on the day to be in-and-out within 15 minutes.

Western Australia has cemented its position as Australia’s top economic performer, according to the latest CommSec State of the State report released today.

The state is ranked first in five of the eight economic indicators.

WA lead the state in five of the eight categories.Credit: CommSec

Queensland slips from second to third spot, just ahead of South Australia now in fourth, also dropping from equal second spot.

Tasmania is steady in fifth place but is joined by NSW, which lifts from sixth spot. The ACT remains seventh.

The Northern Territory stays in eighth spot.

WA’s greatest strength was listed as population growth followed by retail spending, unemployment, housing finance and swelling starts.

The state also had the highest annual inflation rate in the quarter at 2.9 per cent, ahead of Adelaide, SA and Melbourne, VIC (both 2.5 per cent).

Premier Roger Cook is still waiting for a response from the NRL on his government’s revised offer to bring the Western Bears club to Perth.

Cook refused to divulge any details about his government’s secret revised bid which was reportedly enough for the Australian Rugby League Commission to accept and put to its member clubs last week.

Cook said his government was “waiting patiently” for the NRL’s response.

Cook’s revised offer is above what was already rejected by the ARLC which included $35 million for grassroots rugby league support ion the state and a $20 million rugby centre of excellence in Malaga.

Pressed on what the revised offer included Cook said if the commission does formally accept the proposal he would be transparent with the public.

“If the NRL agreed to our proposal, and they formally respond and accept our proposal, we will be completely transparent with everyone in relation to the proposal, what it means and what it is based on,” he said.

Opposition leader Basil Zempilas last week lashed the government for its secrecy around the deal.

When asked whether reports that the new deal included $50 million for grassroots support Cook lamented how leaky the NRL had been during the negotiations.

“I’ve seen all kinds of things, particularly by virtue of the east coast media,” he said. “Some of the leakiest ships I’ve ever come across are on the east coast,” he said.

When asked whether he was concerned about having to deal more with the NRL’s colourful chairman Peter V’Landys more if a WA team does happen, Cook said anyone was welcome to WA if they brought more economic activity with them.

“We know Peter V’Landys is a large character in on the sporting scene, both in NRL, but also in racing and so from that perspective he is who he is,” he said.

“I welcome anyone that wants to come to Perth, to bring more content, to bring more visitors, to bring more economic activity and to bring more vibrancy to our state.”

Premier Roger Cook has insisted the agencies overseeing plans by billionaire Gina Rinehart to build a $250 million mixed-use development across the site of a century-old West Perth home are well-equipped to “get the balance right”, after revelations there were no legislative barriers preventing its demolition.

On Monday, WAtoday revealed the mega-development spanning four lots on Outram and Ord Streets would require the demolition of a 120-year-old Federation-style home that had sheltered soldiers, esteemed surgeons and a world-renowned artist.

At a press conference this morning, the premier pointed out the development was still subject to formal review by the WA Planning Commission and other agencies capable of striking the delicate balance between development and heritage.

“I will make the observation that that development is still subject to planning processes, and obviously, we want to do two things in Western Australia: we want to see our community become vibrant and new, and to see development associated with that, and we also want to protect our cultural heritage in an appropriate way,” Cook said.

“That’s why we have our Heritage Council and the local government authorities with the [WA Planning Commission], working together to get that balance right.

“It’s not a binary proposition – it’s not that you’re either heritage-listed or you’re not.”

Cook also rejected suggestions the situation was evidence of a loophole in WA’s heritage laws, insisting there was a range of protections afforded to properties deemed to be of cultural significance.

The ‘work meets wellness’ development, which spans the 7000 square metres between 27-35 Outram Street and 46 Ord Street in West Perth, comprises a mix of office, gym, wellness spaces, restaurants and serviced apartments opposite the company’s headquarters.

The plan has been lodged via the WA government’s new expedited pathway for developments of state significance — which guarantees a determination within 120 days.

A spokesman for Rinehart declined multiple requests to answer questions on the development, but maintained there were no heritage-listed properties on the designated sites.

Yesterday marked one year since Perth brothers Callum and Jake Robinson were tragically killed in Mexico while on a surfing trip with their friend.

The bodies of Callum, 33, Jake, 30, and their friend Carter Rhoad, 30, were found dumped in a well about six kilometres away from the Baja California campsite where they had been staying.

It’s alleged the trio were targeted for their vehicle, but the situation escalated.

Several people have since been charged over the murders.

Since the tragic deaths, the brothers’ parents Martin and Debra Robinson have set up a foundation to honour their children through philanthropy.

“We miss you boys beyond words,” the CJR Foundation posted yesterday.

As school bags and lunch boxes are being packed again today for the start of term 2, there’s a new cost of living relief available for families thanks to the state government.

The school assistance payments will be available from today until July 4.

Term 2 begins today for West Australian students. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

The program is designed to help cover school costs and includes $150 for each primary school child, and $250 for each secondary school child.

Parents can apply for the payments via the Service WA website.

It’s the second time in as many years the state government has offered the cost-of-living relief, with 80 per cent of eligible mums and dads taking up the offer in 2024.