Western Australia
Inquiry ordered into pedophile's bail
AN inquiry has been ordered into how a convicted WA pedophile was granted bail, which allowed him to abuse three more children in a pre-prison ``binge''.
Cabbie on disabled woman sex charge
A PERTH taxi driver has been charged with sexually assaulting a disabled woman while he was driving her home.
Boy, 12, charged over Middle Swan fire
A 12-year-old boy has been charged over a fire near the Perth Speed Dome in Middle Swan last week.
Fears toxic sludge affecting estuary
EXPERTS fear pollution from an Oakford composting site has contributed to the rapidly worsening condition of Peel-Harvey estuary.
Fair Work alleges CFMEU blocked site
ALLEGATIONS the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) used coercion to prevent workers getting on site at the new children's hospital will be tested in court.
Man charged with Midvale arson
POLICE from three stations were called in to track down a man accused of lighting multiple fires in Perth's east yesterday.
Drink-driver rips through 40km/h zone
A MAN has been charged with drink-driving after speeding through a 40km/h speed zone early today - as WA kids went back to school.
Sad end for Big Day Out
WHERE did it all go wrong? Once a summer institution the Big Day Out has, in recent years, well and truly lost its way.
Banjup: Firefighters save homes
FIREFIGHTERS worked throughout the night to control a major bushire which raged through Perth's southern suburbs yesterday.
Litchfield 'agitated' before death
UPDATE: TAURI Litchfield was found lying on his back in an "awkward" position and gasping for breath in a Mandurah car park, a WA court was told.
New police search in Rocha case
POLICE have reportedly descended on a property in Parmelia as part of their investigations into the suspected murder of missing mum Helen Rocha.
Report of 4m shark caught off Dunsborough
CONSERVATIONISTS are investigating reports of a 4m shark caught on the WA Government's controversial catch-and-kill drum lines off Dunsborough.
Man arrested over WA woman's death
A NIGERIAN man questioned over the death of a WA widow allegedly had more than 30 online identities he used to con women worldwide.
'200 homes saved' in bushfire
FIREFIGHTERS have saved up to 200 homes as they battled a massive bushfire south of Perth yesterday which damaged at least six houses.
Tauri fell, claim six accused
SIX teenagers assaulted a drunk man and then chased him, causing him to fall from a brick wall and die from severe head injuries, a Perth court has heard.
Missing dad murdered, say police
A DOTING father mysteriously missing since 2008 was murdered, Perth police now believe.
Our top picks for Fringe World
WITH a huge choice of Fringe World events here are the picks of the day.
Cox, Glass among Eagle greats
WEST Coast veterans Dean Cox and Darren Glass are staking claims to Eagles true greatness with approaching personal milestones later this year.
On borrowed time
Doctors say they should be dead. But living on borrowed time can make every moment sweeter, as two inspirational young West Australians reveal.
Tuesday, 4 February
Vic power saboteur knew plant well: police
5:41PM POLICE believe the saboteur who lit the fire that shut down at Victoria's Yallourn power station last year had intimate knowledge of the plant.
Deliberate bushfires are "urban terrorism"
5:41PM A MINISTER says deliberately lit bushfires are akin to urban terrorism, as firefighters continue to battle a blaze south of Perth.
Shaw blocks Vic govt business
5:40PM INDEPENDENT MP Geoff Shaw has sided with the opposition to stall the Victorian government's business agenda.
Ex-cyclone Fletcher threatens to reform
5:40PM WEATHER forecasters warn ex-cyclone Fletcher could reform if it heads to water again, bringing heavy rain to the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Thorpe faces tough depression battle
5:38PM AMERICA'S Cup winning skipper John Bertrand says like many athletes, Ian Thorpe faces a challenge adapting to retirement.
SPC says allowances not 'over generous'
5:32PM STRUGGLING fruit processor SPC Ardmona says claims its problems are down to "over-generous" staff allowances are mistaken.
Vic anti-taxi reform protesters batter cab
5:31PM TAXI drivers and owners upset at reforms to the taxi industry have battered a taxi as part of their protest against the changes.
Rates to hold steady for a while: Stevens
5:24PM THE Reserve Bank left the cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent at its first board meeting on Tuesday as was widely expected.
Govt seeks penalty rates review
5:24PM AS the Fair Work Commission starts its review of the modern award system, the government says it must look at penalty rates and high labour costs.
Tanker drivers want govt to act
5:18PM THE fuel tanker drivers' union says government inaction and contract pressure from companies mean road safety standards are being compromised.
Govt accused of misleading over SPC grant
5:14PM THE Abbott government based its decision not to grant $25 million to SPC Ardmona on wrong information, the company and a Liberal MP says.
Sailors rescued from rough Bass Strait
5:08PM THREE sailors have been rescued by emergency services in a dramatic air and sea operation in Bass Strait.