WA news LIVE: WA mining operator stands down workers over fuel shortage

We’re here in state parliament question time again and Premier Roger Cook is again being grilled about why an 88-year-old Perth grandmother was forced to spend nearly 48 hours in pain in a hospital corridor at St John of God Midland Hospital last week.

Elsie McGribben became the face of the state’s strained hospital system last week after her daughters slammed the government for the conditions their mother was left in.

Following that ordeal Premier Roger Cook said, “corridor care” was something that occurred in busy hospitals.

It was this comment being targeted by Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas who asked why this was considered the new normal.

A small mining contractor operating in remote WA has been forced to send two thirds of its workforce home due to fuel shortages.

Blue Cap Mining has around 180 fly-in, fly-out workers operating at Devon gold mine near Laverton, which, like most mining operations, is diesel-reliant.

Managing Director, Ashley Fraser, told ABC Radio Perth today that he had been told not to expect more than 30 to 40 per cent of the typical weekly fuel deliveries.

With less than a fortnight worth of fuel currently stored on site, the shortage has forced the company to stand workers down.

“We had about 50 to 60 people affected over the weekend, and probably another 50 to 60 over the next few days will be told to stay home rather than come to work,” Fraser said.

Mining accounts for about 35 per cent of diesel used in Australia, according to the ABS.

Sticking with Premier Roger Cook’s press conference, and he has dismissed a call made by the opposition to fully subsidise and expand the state’s flu vaccination program.

Shadow health minister Libby Mettam said the program should start in April, not May, be extended from two months to six, and be completely free.

“Under the current program many providers can still charge a consultation or service fee, which means some families face out-of-pocket costs just to get vaccinated,” she said.

“At a time when Western Australians are already under significant cost-of-living pressure, the government should remove every barrier to vaccination and make sure people can access the flu shot completely free of charge.”

WA Premier Roger Cook has just held a press conference, and has been asked about the state of WA’s fuel supplies.

Here’s what he said:

“I don’t think there’s an aspect of the war in Iran that isn’t making everyone anxious at the moment, and I share that anxiety.

I’m particularly concerned with the way that the increases in fuel costs will impact West Australian households. That’s why we’re continuing to make sure, firstly, that we get the fuel to the people who need it, particularly our farmers in regional WA, and continuing to make sure we can do everything we can to make sure these cost increases, these price shocks, are as minimal as possible in West Australian households.”

Meanwhile, ‘cheap Tuesday’ is not-so-cheap today, with the average unleaded fuel price in Perth reaching 229 cents per litre, up from 155.8 cents per litre this time last month.

Police investigating the cold case suspected murder of an Albany man in 1991 are appealing for someone who has previously sent police a letter about the case to come forward.

Mark Gregory, 28, died in the early hours of April 7, 1991, after he was struck by a car while walking away from a house party on Mercer Road.

The driver failed to stop and has never been identified.

The cold case has been resurrected several times over the past 35 years, with police inquiries more than a decade ago leading detectives to suspect the hit-and-run was likely a murder.

Two students from Baldivis Secondary College, who walked on desks, touched their relief teacher’s hair, and blew vape smoke in her face, have been recommended for exclusion from the school.

Five students in total were suspended for 10 days over the incident, including the person responsible for filming the incident and posting it to TikTok – with two now facing a greater penalty.

Education Minister Sabine Winton said their behaviour towards the teacher was “appalling” and she supported the decision to suspend, and exclude, the students.

“This was a very confronting incident and the behaviour of the students involved is completely unacceptable,” she said.

Free parking at the beach is one of the last remaining priceless joys for West Australians, but perhaps not for long in Cottesloe.

The Town of Cottesloe is reviewing whether it will begin charging beachgoers for the privilege, with the mayor claiming paid parking would help ease some of the pressure of getting a bay, especially with housing density increasing in the area.

An external report commissioned by the council has recommended introducing paid parking, but the idea has left many unimpressed.

“I think it’s for everyone to enjoy, it’s not really fair, it should be that everyone gets that enjoyment of using, it’s everyone’s beach,” a local told 9 News Perth this morning.

Here’s what’s happening across the country and around the world today:

• Australians blame Anthony Albanese and his government for the nation’s inflation pressures as they cut their spending on takeaway meals, drop subscriptions for streaming services and put off repairs around the house and on their cars to make ends meet.
• Migration agents will have to undertake yearly ethics training and regular refreshers on their obligations if they want to keep helping people obtain Australian visas.
• From the Beckhams to the Kardashians and Dua Lipa – check out who wore what at the Oscars after-parties.

Good morning and welcome to our live news blog for Tuesday, March 17.

Making headlines today, a council in Perth’s south is weighing up putting community skip bins on public verges in a bid to combat illegal dumping.

A motion was put forward by City of Canning residents at the annual general meeting of electors earlier this year – but councillors have been encouraged by city staff to knock it back.

Meanwhile, a 68-year-old woman linked to West Australian author Craig Silvey’s child abuse allegations has been revealed to be a grandmother with an extensive history of volunteering in the community.

And, as the Matildas prepare for their Asian Cup semi-final against China at Optus Stadium tonight, midfielder Emily van Egmond reflects on becoming the most capped Australian footballer of all time, having dedicated half her life to the club.

Stay with us as we bring you the news of the day, as it happens.