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Australia

Mark McGowan in security scare after University of WA student targets him over abortion at press conference

Mark McGowan in security scare after University of WA student targets him over abortion at press conference

A University of Western Australia student gate crashed a press conference being held by Premier Mark McGowan and had to be ushered away by his security team as she demanded to know whether abortion would be made free across the State.

The female student approached Mr McGowan as he was preparing to answer questions from reporters after announcing a contract had been awarded for the installation of 98 electric vehicle chargers as part of WA’s electric highway.

“I’m a student here at UWA and I just wanted to know if you were planning to make abortion free in WA,” the young woman said as she walked towards Mr McGowan.

Protester lead away from Premier Mark McGowan announcing the latest milestone in the EV charging network project.
Camera IconThe student was dealt with by the Premier’s bodyguards. Credit: Andrew Richie/The West Australian

The Premier’s minders immediately jumped into action, getting between the woman and Mr McGowan and attempting to move her away from the gathered media.

She asked one of Mr McGowan’s male bodyguards why he had placed his hands on her but seemed to accept the explanation when told he was part of the Premier’s personal security team.

“I just, I don’t understand why Mr McGowan can’t just answer my question,” she shouted as she was moved away.

“I’m just a student at UWA and I want to know if abortion will be made free?”

Protester lead away from Premier Mark McGowan announcing the latest milestone in the EV charging network project.
Camera IconThe woman was ushered away during the press conference. Credit: Andrew Richie/The West Australian

Mr McGowan remained silent throughout the encounter, but later addressed the protester’s question — after she had been moved well away from the site of the press conference — when it was repeated by the media.

“We’re reviewing the law in relation to abortion reform as to whether or not further reforms need to be put in place to make it nationally consistent with other states,” the Premier said.

“You may not know but I was in the Parliament when abortion was made legal in Western Australia. I’m one of the few members still left from that period and I voted in favor of it.”

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson in June revealed work was underway to modernize WA’s abortion laws, which have been described as among the most oppressive in Australia.

Protester lead away from Premier Mark McGowan announcing the latest milestone in the EV charging network project.
Camera IconSecurity staff swoop on the UWA student. Credit: Andrew Richie/The West Australian

“Cost is an issue and… women do fly interstate to access abortions past actually about 15 weeks. There are only two private providers and often their hours are limited,” she said.

Abortions cost vary from state to state and can run into hundreds of dollars depending on the medications or surgical procedures required.

In WA, women who seek an abortion after 20 weeks must have their request reviewed by an “ethics panel” consisting of six medical practitioners, two of whom must agree the mother or fetus has a severe medical condition that justifies the procedure.’

Mr McGowan said he understood the review of WA’s abortion regime would be completed by the end of the year.

“It’s obviously come into more focus recently with the Supreme Court decision in America and we’re looking at what we need to do to make it more nationally consistent and if there are anomalies that make it difficult for women in certain circumstances,” he said .

“They’re the sorts of things we’re looking at changing and repairing.”

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Australia

Perth punk bank Body Horrors reports alleged assault by Mojo’s Bar staff member at Freo.Social

Perth punk bank Body Horrors reports alleged assault by Mojo's Bar staff member at Freo.Social

Popular Fremantle venue Mojo’s Bar has come under scrutiny in the music community after a Perth band member claimed they were attacked “aggressively” by one of their staff members at Freo.Social at the weekend.

Punk band Body Horrors will allege their lead singer Eden was in the green room on Sunday with a senior Mojo’s staff member when they were verbally abused and shoved by the woman in front of another band member just before midnight.

The band described the alleged incident, which followed their set at the venue on Parry Street, as “childish” and “unprofessional” on their social media page on Tuesday.

“(She) started antagonizing us, clearly intoxicated, aggressively yelling in our faces,” the band’s Instagram story read.

Body Horrors described the alleged incident as “childish” and “unprofessional” on their social media page on Tuesday.
Camera IconBody Horrors described the alleged incident as “childish” and “unprofessional” on their social media page on Tuesday. Credit: Instagram/Instagram

“Realizing there was no reasoning with someone in such a state, Eden and I tried to leave, twice.

“(She) then physically assaulted them by shoving them against the wall/door before opening the door to leave herself.”

On Tuesday Freo.Social confirmed it was investigating the incident.

“This investigation includes discussions with all parties involved, any witnesses, and reviewing the venue’s CCTV footage,” the venue wrote in a Facebook post.

“We are taking this incident very seriously, and the investigation is ongoing.”

The post claimed no contact had been made with venue management by those making the allegations as of Tuesday evening, and they remained steadfast in their “commitment to creating a safe and supportive space”.

Another local band, Lauren and the Good Fights, has thrown their support behind the Body Horrors band, urging other artists to boycott Freo. Social and Mojo’s Bar.

A WA Police spokeswoman has confirmed a complaint was made, and police will be making further inquiries into the incident.

Freo. Social and the Body Horrors band have been contacted for comment.

Read the full exclusive story at The West Australian

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Categories
Australia

WA weather: Snow on Bluff Knoll as Perth records coldest day of the year

WA weather: Snow on Bluff Knoll as Perth records coldest day of the year

Stunning photos of snow falling near Bluff Knoll have emerged after the Stirling Range was treated to a light dusting on Tuesday.

Several hikers braved freezing cold conditions to see the snow up close as it fell near one of WA’s highest peaks.

Photos posted to social media show hikers giving the thumbs up to their mates as a steady stream of snow falls around them.

Other photos show large amounts of snow covering the ground and earth of Bluff Knoll, as a thick fog lingers nearby.

Snow falls in Stirling Range National Park and Bluff Knoll as a cold snap hits Western Australia
Camera IconSnow falls in Stirling Range National Park and Bluff Knoll as a cold snap hits Western Australia. Credit: Frederick Schafsma/Frederick Schafsma

The Bureau of Meteorology had predicted snow would fall in the Great Southern after a cold front moved across Perth and South West on Monday and Tuesday morning.

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Australia

COVID in WA: Hospitals wind back COVID-19 screening to free up staff as State passes peak

COVID in WA: Hospitals wind back COVID-19 screening to free up staff as State passes peak

West Australian hospitals will scale back their COVID-19 screening protocols in a bid to free up staff and allow more visitors.

Public hospitals will shift from “red alert” to a new blue alert level from August 15, bringing an end to several months of heightened precautions.

Patients presenting at emergency departments will only be required to undergo rapid antigen tests upon arrival if they are symptomatic.

The testing requirement will also be removed for asymptomatic visitors unless they are visiting a high-risk area or vulnerable patients.

Visitors must still show proof of vaccination but staff will conduct spot checks rather than mass inspections.

The medical system is on its knees at the moment … our system does not have enough beds to allow this to go up much more,

Healthcare workers who had been required to wear N95-style masks across all clinical areas will now only need to do so when caring for vulnerable patients or working in high-risk areas. Surgical masks must be worn elsewhere.

The changes come as hospitals continue to struggle with getting patients through emergency departments and into beds.

Ambulances spent a record 6982 hours ramped outside hospitals in July.

Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson says the changes will help ensure effective patient flow and free up frontline health staff.

“This is a measured approach to scaling back the COVID response in hospitals, which has been endorsed by the chief health officer, and expert infection control teams from the WA health system,” Ms Sanderson said on Tuesday.

“In a time when WA has passed its most recent peak of COVID-19, it makes sense to take practical, reasonable measures to free up some burdens, and support healthcare workers and families supporting their loved ones in hospital.”

WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson (file image)
Camera IconAmber-Jade Sanderson says the COVID screening changes will free up frontline health staff. Credit: AAP

A limit of two visitors per patient will remain but may be extended by staff under certain circumstances.

Visiting hours will be extended at every hospital and essential visitors will be allowed to visit outside the standard hours.

WA Health on Tuesday reported 2,965 new COVID-19 cases. There were 358 people in hospital including 11 in intensive care.

Australian Medical Association WA president Mark Duncan-Smith last month warned changing the screening protocols would make it easier for the virus to spread in hospitals.

“The medical system is on its knees at the moment … our system does not have enough beds to allow this to go up much more,” he said.

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Entertainment

Geraldton hairdresser Kim Tran takes a stand to stop harassment and requests for sexual favors

Geraldton hairdresser Kim Tran takes a stand to stop harassment and requests for sexual favors

WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE

A Geraldton hairdresser is fed up with a regular barrage of vulgar harassment she is forced to deal with from men seeking sexual favours, and has called out those who see her as nothing but an Asian “stereotype”.

Mother of one Kim Tran owns a barber shop in the suburb of Rangeway and last week posted a confronting insight into the overwhelming objectification that comes her way.

She resorted to publicly posting one of many text messages — with a phone number included — she has received from customers, requesting extra services. In this instance, the man asked for a “shave and a trim with a happy ending”.

Kim Tran is fed up with being asked for sexual favours.
Camera IconKim Tran is fed up with being asked for sexual favours. Credit: Jessica Morney/Geraldton Guardian

Ms Tran has even put signs up around her store, reminding certain people she is a “hairdresser only”, but still gets these offensive requests almost on a daily basis, both in person and via text messages.

The 29-year-old works two jobs — running a farm with her partner supplying vegetables to Australian supermarkets, as well as her day job at the barber shop, where many of her clients are children and their parents.

Many people think that Asians are mostly prostitutes, so I am often texted or harassed by customers at the store.

She said she was losing sleep over the frequent abuse and vulgarity, and decided it was time to speak up so people know she’s just a hairdresser, no more.

“I am often looked down on by others because I am Asian,” Ms Tran posted. “Many people think that Asians are mostly prostitutes, so I am often texted or harassed by customers at the store.

Kim Tran.
Camera IconKim Tran. Credit: Facebook/Facebook

“I believe there are many other women who have the same problem as me, but the difference is that they don’t dare to say it, maybe because they are shy or don’t want other people to judge them. I feel that isn’t right.”

She works in her salon alone and often keeps her door locked due to constant fear of abuse and break-ins.

“When I have customers I’m confident and keep the door unlocked, but when I’m in here by myself, or with children, I lock the door,” she said.

The Vietnamese woman said she believed the harassment was because of her culture and unfair stereotypes surrounding Asian women.

She claims men show her pornographic images on their phones to make her understand, and said there were instances when men would grope her, despite her not wearing revealing clothing.

“Lots of people come in here and sometimes try and touch me, grab me,” she said.

Ms Tran shared a shocking incident captured on her shop’s CCTV camera, showing a client trying to grope her as he exited the store.

Fed up: Kim Tran.
Camera IconFed up: Kim Tran. Credit: Facebook/Facebook

Ms Tran said the text messages she received were taking a toll on her relationship with her partner, and she decided to speak up on social media to save her job and reputation.

“We had a massive argument last week and I told him I was going public. I was nervous because I was worried that they (customers) would make a problem with me. But I thought if I don’t speak it could affect my relationship or my job,” she said.

“What is my daughter going to think when she grows up? I don’t want her to think I am a sex worker or prostitute.”

Ms Tran said she feared if she reported the incidents to the police that people would take revenge on her or her family.

“Sometimes I feel like if I report them they might come back and do something to me,” she said.

Ms Tran said moving to a different location would be difficult because she had built a clientele over two-and-a-half years, and she had customers who supported her business.

I’m getting a little bit scared, and I don’t want to lose this business because I love what I’m doing.

She said many people misunderstood Asian people and often believed the assumptions or stereotypes associated with the culture.

“People go to Asia for a quick trip and be with a girl for a couple nights and pay cheap money. So people think ‘oh, she’s an Asian girl and maybe she does that’, ”she said.

“It has been very rough times here.

“I have so many local people come and support me. I love to cut hair for children, they are so happy when I cut a spiderweb or a design.”

Ms Tran said when she began at the store she felt comfortable working on her own, but now her emotions ran high and she constantly overthought scenarios.

To cope with the sexual harassment, Ms Tran visits a local counseling service and takes sleeping medication.

“I’m getting a little bit scared, and I don’t want to lose this business because I love what I’m doing. So I just ignore it and do what I’m doing,” she said.

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Categories
Australia

‘Calm down’: WA Premier Mark McGowan issues stern warning to China

'Calm down': WA Premier Mark McGowan issues stern warning to China

China’s aggression after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan was “a bit over the top”, according to West Australian Premier Mark McGowan, who urged Beijing to “calm down”.

Ms Pelosi recently became the most senior US official to visit Taipei in decades and met with President Tsai Ing-wen, but it sparked outrage from China that does not recognize Taiwan as a nation.

Mr McGowan repeatedly clashed with the Morrison government – ​​and especially former Defense Minister Peter Dutton – over their rhetoric towards China, which is WA’s biggest trading partner.

While he refused to say whether Ms Pelosi’s visit was appropriate, Mr McGowan said he was “obviously” concerned about tensions in the region.

“The reaction has been a bit over the top and I think there needs to be a calm down on the part of China,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Monday.

“I don’t know the circumstances as to why she went there… but I don’t think the reaction should have been as strong as it was.”

Since Ms Pelosi’s visit last week, the Chinese military has conducted sea and air exercises to show its ability to launch an attack on Taiwan.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned China’s actions.

Meanwhile, Mr McGowan has backed WA Defense Industries Minister Paul Papalia in pushing for a greater military presence in the state.

It comes after retired Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston and former defense minister Stephen Smith were chosen to review the Australian Defense Force’s capabilities.

Mr McGowan said having more army and air force teams in WA was appropriate “just in case in the long-term future something happened”.

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Categories
Business

WA regional and FIFO flights at risk of disruption as Virgin aircraft engineers prepare to strike

WA regional and FIFO flights at risk of disruption as Virgin aircraft engineers prepare to strike

Air travel in WA — including in the FIFO sector — is at risk of further severe disruption as aircraft engineers servicing Virgin Australia’s regional fleet this week joined their Qantas Group counterparts in preparing for a wave of industrial action.

A ballot of about 1000 Qantas Group engineers on their support for a potential strike in protest over their pay and conditions closes on August 10, with the union representing the workers confident it will be decisively backed in.

The West Australian has revealed the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association this week launched a second ballot of the approximately 50 technicians working at Virgin Australia Regional Airlines.

Both polls — launched after obtaining protected action orders from the Fair Work Commission — canvas “work stoppages up to 12 hours in length” and “overtime bans”.

Between them, Qantas Group — which includes Jetstar and Network Aviation — and VARA operate the vast majority of both regular passenger and FIFO flights in WA.

VARA provides FIFO services for Rio Tinto and BHP and flies between Perth and a number of regional destinations including Broome, Darwin, Kalgoorlie, Karratha, Newman and Port Hedland.

ALAEA federal secretary Steve Purvinas said engineers at both airlines had endured years of pay freezes despite larger workloads, leading to fatigue and burnout.

He said Qantas Group engineers would commence “a token move of industrial action” within the next three weeks in the hope of prompting the national carrier back to the negotiating table.

The earliest VARA engineers would be able to engage in industrial action would be seven working days after their ballot closes on September 14.

Mr Purvinas claimed the union “do not intend to structure industrial action to disrupt services”.

“Our contest is with the airline, not the public,” he said.

“To that end we can have work stoppages but offer labor via overtime to cover the deficit in work. Certain options appear on the ballot paper but that does not necessarily mean they will be used.”

It remains to be seen what impact any kind of engineering downtime would have for airlines accustomed to operating on finely-tuned schedules.

Virgin Australia did not directly address questions about whether the airline was concerned about disruption to its WA services, a spokesperson saying only that the company was aware a protected action ballot had been launched.

“We intend to continue discussions with our team members and the ALAEA to understand the issues and work towards a new enterprise agreement,” the spokesperson said.

In a previous statement, Qantas Group said it was “disappointed” the union was threatening “completely unnecessary” industrial action.

“The latest claim by the ALAEA was for a one-year agreement with a 12 per cent pay rise for Qantas engineers,” the statement said.

“That’s something we simply can’t afford and is well above wage increases for other employees across the group.”

Mr Purvinas said the 12 per cent claim equaled to 3 per cent for each of the four years engineers’ pay had been frozen.

Both Qantas and Virgin Australia made headlines for their poor performance during the winter school holidays, including hundreds of flight cancellations and widespread delays.

In June, VARA had the worst on-time performance of any airline with nearly half of all flights either delayed or cancelled.

Travelers at Perth Airport endured another evening of chaos on Tuesday after severe storms cut off power to the site and backup generators servicing the terminals failed.

That forced all outgoing flights to be canceled — wrecking the travel plans of thousands of West Australians.

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Categories
Australia

Perth storms: Homeowners facing massive waits for repair work on damaged houses

Perth storms: Homeowners facing massive waits for repair work on damaged houses

Homeowners trying to get storm-damaged properties repaired face massive waits as tradies are nearly impossible to hire.

The well-documented skills and supply shortages blighting the State have left people hoping to fix their houses wondering where to turn.

One roofing company said it had been inundated with 60 phone calls a day last week, while another said it was already booked out until next year.

The savage storms knocked out power to Perth Airport as well as 35,000 homes and wreaked havoc across Perth and the south-west last week, leaving a trail of damaged properties in their wake.

It’s not just homes that are affected. Canning Mosque in Queens Park was severely damaged during the storm when a large tree was uprooted and smashed into the prayer hall.

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Categories
Australia

Police pursuit in Mundizong ends after man is chased away by a herd of cattle

Police pursuit in Mundizong ends after man is chased away by a herd of cattle

A man is facing a long list of charges after a bizarre police pursuit in Perth’s south on Sunday night – during which he was chased by a herd of cattle.

WATCH THE CHASE FOOTAGE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

The chase began somewhat slowly about 8.45pm when officers from Murdoch Police spotted a vehicle of interest being driven on Coolbellup Avenue.

Police tried to stop the car as it turned into Forrest Road however the driver failed to stop and drove at slow speed east along Forrest Road before turning right onto North Lake Road to head south.

The man appears to struggle in the terrain.
Camera IconThe man appears to struggle in the terrain. Credit: WA Police

The police helicopter above watched the man drive off before he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a property on the eastern side of South Western Highway in Mundizong.

While running through a paddock the man changed direction after being chased by a herd of cattle.

“The man encountered some steep terrain and started to struggle. The Police Air Wing officers directed units on the ground to his location and he was arrested without incident, ”police said in a statement.

The 34-year-old White Gum Valley man has been charged with several offenses unrelated to the chase. He was refused bail and is due to appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on Monday.

It is expected he will be charged with further offenses in relation to Sunday night’s pursuit.

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Categories
Australia

Perth-based ADF member Caleb Horner accused of teen assault danced

Perth-based ADF member Caleb Horner accused of teen assault danced

An Australian Defense Force member accused of raping a teenage boy has been released on bail.

Perth-based Caleb Horner, 36, was granted the application in the County Court in Melbourne on Monday.

He is due to stand trial next year after pleading not guilty to charges including rape, sexual penetration of a child under 16, sexual assault of a child under 16 and grooming.

ADF member Caleb Horner has been extradited to Victoria to face a string of serious child sex-related charges
Camera IconPolice say Caleb Horner first contacted his alleged victim when the boy was 12-years-old. Credit: unknown/Facebook

Police allege Horner first contacted a 12-year-old boy on Instagram in 2018 before reconnecting with him online two years later.

The 36-year-old is accused of grooming the boy and sexually assaulting him between January and March 2020.

Horner was arrested in November last year and has been in custody for the past 270 days.

He allegedly admitted to police that he spoke to the boy, knew the teen’s age and shared photos with him.

In her reasons for granting bail, County Court Judge Fiona Todd noted Horner demonstrated compelling reasons as he had no prior convictions, no previous court orders and a stable address.

ADF member Caleb Horner has been extradited to Victoria to face a string of serious child sex-related charges
Camera IconCaleb Horner was born and raised in Melbourne but had been living in Perth before he was extradited to face child sex charges Credit: unknown/Instagram

Horner was born and raised in Melbourne, Judge Todd said, with his only links to Western Australia being his ADF posting and his partner.

The 36-year-old, who is suspended from the ADF without pay, had all of his family in Victoria so he was less of a flight risk, the judge noted.

She said she was concerned about the risk of Horner approaching young boys, noting evidence that the alleged victim was worried about being contacted by the accused online.

But Judge Todd said she felt any risk could be mitigated through a number of bail conditions.

ADF member Caleb Horner has been extradited to Victoria to face a string of serious child sex-related charges
Camera IconCaleb Horner has been granted bail provided he complies with a series of conditions, including not contacting his alleged victim. Credit: unknown/Facebook

Horner was granted bail on conditions including he only uses one electronic device, does not use social media sites and does not approach any child under the age of 16.

He is also expected to hand over his phone to police upon request and not leave the state of Victoria.

Horner is due to return to court next month.

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