For viewers who regularly watch the evening news, this scene is familiar. What is shown here is the scene behind a press conference of political figures, where reporters and photographers are preparing for an election promise to be announced by Western Australian Premier Roger Cook and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti, regarding a plan to transition to electric buses. This initiative aims to modernize the public transport system and reduce carbon emissions in the region.
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03-03, 2025The March 8th election is undoubtedly an uphill battle for Liberal leader Libby Mettam. She admits that leading a party that lost its opposition status in the last election is "the worst job in politics." Nevertheless, she maintains a smile on the campaign trail as she travels to various electorates, hoping to win back those seats, including Kalamunda, where she interacted with members of the Parkerville Bush Fire Brigade. Her determination to connect with voters underscores the challenges and opportunities facing the Liberal party in this election.
In Kwinana, Premier Roger Cook goes for a morning run at dawn before starting a busy campaign schedule. ABC's state political reporter Keane Bourke followed the Labor leader and his camera crew earlier this week for the "WA State of Affairs" program, gaining insight into his expectations as the election approaches, as well as the "bold move" that put him in the Premier's office. This behind-the-scenes coverage offers a glimpse into the strategies and personal routines of political leaders during election season.
A lesser-known political opponent of the Labor Party is the leader of the Western Australian Nationals, Shane Love. He is driving to the vast Moore electorate north of Perth to meet with voters. This electorate will be replaced by the new Central Wheatbelt electorate. The housing crisis is a significant issue influencing voters' intentions, and Western Australian mother Kerry Mitchell-Bassgate is facing this stark reality. Once a stably housed mine worker, she recently became homeless and is currently living at Perth Children's Hospital with her 15-year-old son, who suffers from stage five kidney failure. The lack of affordable housing options has become a major concern for many families in the region.
In the southeastern Perth suburbs of Langford and Beckenham, a water bomber helicopter is working hard to extinguish a fire threatening homes. Nearby residents were "shocked" by the fire, but fortunately, the fire was eventually extinguished without causing major damage. In southern Western Australia, the secretary of the Country Women's Association (CWA) in Denmark is photographed with one-year-old Pearl Finnigan at the monthly "Grannies Next Door" group event. Pearl's mother, Megan Sutton, founded the group after her own grandmother passed away, as a project to bring joy and social interaction to toddlers and grandmothers. These community initiatives highlight the importance of social support and connection in both urban and rural areas.
Gooniyandi man Mervyn Street stands in front of an exhibition at the Fremantle Arts Centre, his paintings reflecting his life working on a farm, where he and his parents had their wages stolen. The government agreed last year to pay up to AUD 180 million in compensation to eligible Indigenous workers and their spouses and children. Eleanor Bednall suffered from spinal muscular atrophy in the 1990s, and her schooling was not easy because she needed a scribe to write for her. Today, Ms. Bednall is a journalist and paleontology master's student, using new technologies such as head-controlled mice and AI-powered text-to-speech software to complete her work. These stories showcase resilience and the ongoing efforts to address historical injustices and promote inclusivity.
Residents of Port Hedland are cleaning up the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Zelia, which uprooted trees and caused flooding. Zelia caused further damage at Kalindi Station and Marble Bar, and led to the evacuation of the remote Aboriginal communities of Warralong and Gudawinya. This is the aftermath of a microburst (the Bureau of Meteorology tells us it was not a tornado) in the Perth Hills, which left 7,000 users without power, and one local resident said her husband was "lifted about 10 meters into the air" by the wind. Bethany Poletti, a resident of Gidgegannup, said that luckily no one was killed. The impact of these extreme weather events highlights the vulnerability of communities and the importance of disaster preparedness.
Sarama is a traveling dance troupe that performs Maloya-style dance, a form of music and dance developed by slaves brought to Réunion Island in the 17th century. The group recently toured Harvey, bringing what is known as "music of freedom and rebellion," said dancer Muriel Hillaire. After four anti-Semitic graffiti incidents occurred in one weekend, Rabbi Daniel Lieberman publicly condemned a "culture of defamation" that often goes unchallenged in society. The graffiti included Nazi swastikas and the words "fuck the Jews" spray-painted on a house in Dalkeith. These cultural and social issues underscore the ongoing need for artistic expression, social justice, and combating prejudice in all its forms.
