ABC Perth

30/07/2025

WA recorded the highest inflation rate in the country over the past year, despite state government claims "the inflation beast has been tamed".

📱 Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

WA recorded the highest inflation rate in the country over the past year, despite state government claims "the inflation beast has been tamed".

30/07/2025

Dolly Parton is a songwriter, performer, a businesswoman – an icon.

With official approval from the Queen of Country herself, the new musical Here You Come Again is set to premiere in Perth next month.

Tricia Paoluccio, co-creator and star of the show, said that it might not be what audiences expect.

"It's not a tribute act, it's not a bio musical, it's a musical story about an uber-fan who is going through a really tough time who puts on the record and Dolly comes to life, and she helps this character through comedy, song and dance, and gratitude. It's a very hopeful, funny, inspiring story," Tricia told Jo Trilling on ABC Radio Perth.

Don’t worry, fans– you’ll definitely get to hear Dolly’s hits like Jolene, I Will Always Love You and 9 to 5.

30/07/2025

Rainbow whale 🐋🌈

Humpback whales have begun their annual migration up West Australia's coastline.

A keen whale watcher captured this incredible shot offshore of Augusta earlier this month.

"We often have Humpback Whales and rainbows in the winter time, but to have this lovely female Humpback Whale breach right in the heart of the rainbow was one we will remember forever!" a Whale Watch Western Australia spokesperson said.

📸 Whale Watch Western Australia

Via ABC South West

30/07/2025

Have you ever seen Quinninup Falls flow like this?

Wilyabrup local Scott Baxter captured this video on Sunday afternoon and said he couldn't remember ever seeing it roar like this before.

"We recorded 110mm of rain in just 24 hours at the farm in Wilyabrup," Mr Baxter told ABC South West.

"The sheer volume of water transformed the nearby Quinninup Falls into an incredible spectacle."

📹 Scott Baxter

Via ABC South West

30/07/2025

A w**ding project gives little penguins a helping hand on an island off WA's south coast where an invasive w**d can grow up to three times taller than the little birds.

30/07/2025

Should the struggling West Coast Eagles receive any draft assistance from the AFL?✅ ❌

STORY: https://ab.co/4mjeCYS

West Coast chief executive Don Pyke has confirmed the struggling club will make a formal request for AFL draft assistance after four years in the doldrums.

The Eagles are facing the prospect of a one-win season, which would be the worst result in club history, as they head towards a second wooden spoon in three years.

A powerhouse off the field, West Coast have won just 11 of their past 91 games in a barren run that has included a raft of injuries to key players.

A powerhouse off the field, West Coast have won just 11 of their past 91 games in a barren run that has included a raft of injuries to key players.

Pyke on Wednesday said the Eagles had already had "initial discussions" with the AFL about what an assistance package could look like.

He said the Eagles would weigh up multiple options, rather than simply requesting an extra high-end national draft selection.

30/07/2025

A teenage boy charged with killing a Perth woman while riding an allegedly unlicensed high-powered electric motorbike is charged with two further offences relating to the incident.

30/07/2025

Cricket Australia (CA) is open to the introduction of private ownership and expansion in its Big Bash Leagues in the coming years as it looks to expand the successful competitions.

The CA board commissioned the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to provide recommendations for the next phase in both the BBL and the WBBL, with the report including four suggestions.

Private ownership and expansion are among the recommendations handed down to Cricket Australia as the governing body explores how to build on its Big Bash leagues.

30/07/2025

A tanker believed to be carrying fuel derived from Russian oil docks in Western Australia, with question marks surrounding the cargo exposing glaring loopholes in the government's sanctions against Moscow.

30/07/2025

WA's controversial demersal fishing rules were introduced to conserve fish, but confidential documents suggest the rules are not working.

30/07/2025

When Cooper's dad suggested equine therapy, he was skeptical. But everything changed when Rio, a massive ex-racehorse, chose him.

🎥: Leah White

Know a young regional storyteller? Enter Heywire at abc.net.au/heywire

30/07/2025

The region's smoking rate dwarfs the national figure of under 10 per cent, but community-led programs are trying to make a difference.

30/07/2025

"In our area, the [modification] kits are really popular — we're looking at a $50 bike from the tip with totally inadequate components on it with a high-powered motor.

"We're seeing people with full-blown electric motorbikes coming in with a throttle and high-powered motor, and we're not allowed to work on them.

A WA bike shop manager says a surge in e-bike interest has come with an increase in dangerous and illegal e-rideable modifications.

A South West WA bike shop manager says a surge in e-bike sales has come with an increase in dangerous and illegal e-rideable modifications.

29/07/2025

Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has taken aim at West Australian Liberal leader Basil Zempilas over his comments on a motion to scrap a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The motion was passed at the WA Liberals' State Council meeting on the weekend, but outspoken WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas declared to reporters on the meeting's sidelines that he did "not have a problem" with net zero targets.

Mr Zempilas urged his party to be conscious of lessons from recent elections, sharing his view that the party failed to connect with younger voters and female voters, and federally those in the nation's cities.

Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie says he is "disappointed" by WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas's comments on a motion to scrap a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

29/07/2025

The earthquake struck near Wyalkatchem in the Wheatbelt just after 2am, with residents hundreds of kilometres away feeling the tremor — including in Perth and as far away as Kalgoorlie.

📱 Personalise your news and stay in the know with the ABC NEWS app: https://ab.co/abcnewsapp

A magnitude-4.8 earthquake strikes near Wyalkatchem, in WA's Wheatbelt, and is felt by residents hundreds of kilometres away, but there are no reports of damage.

29/07/2025

Geoff Hutchison is determined not to turn into a grumpy, old bu**er.

In his new book, the former ABC Radio Perth presenter ponders why so many men seem to struggle as they get older and offers some not-so-gentle advice on how they might lead happier lives in a fast-changing world.

"It's easy to find reasons to be unhappy with the state of the world, but truly it's you who suffers the most", he told Nadia Mitsopoulos on ABC Radio Perth.

How Not to Become a Grumpy, Old Bu**er by Geoff Hutchison is out now.

Do you know an old grump? Send this to them.

29/07/2025

Is this the face you make when you wake up to 5°C every day in winter?

Thank you to for sharing this photo of a grumpy looking little guy for !

We'd love to see your best photos and videos of these cute little blue birds below 👇📸

📷 ​Instagram/

29/07/2025

Hikers in WA have been treated to multiple opportunities of snowfall this week, as wintry conditions hit Bluff Knoll.

29/07/2025

"Please just help, if you know anything it's OK, we forgive anyone who's done it. Just please come forward. We just need closure as a family."

Elmars Kalejs died in a Perth hospital two months after he was found seriously injured next to his car, and police and his family want answers.

Elmars Kalejs died in a Perth hospital two months after he was found seriously injured next to his car, and police and his family want answers. WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains an image of a person who has died, used with the permission of...

29/07/2025

"I made one snowball and threw it at someone but after that my fingers were going to fall off, so I didn't make a second."

For West Australians who love chasing snow, there have been three opportunities in eight days to frolic in the white stuff at Bluff Knoll in Stirling Range National Park.

Snow chasers have three opportunities in eight days to frolic in the white stuff on peaks in Stirling Range National Park.

29/07/2025

There's been yet another development in the case of the six small trees facing the chop on the South Perth foreshore.

On July 22, the City of South Perth made the decision to remove six trees and install 135 square metres of ground cover at an estimated cost of $30,000 after residents complained the trees would grow to block their million-dollar city views.

Now, another councillor has lodged a motion to revoke the decision and to develop a policy for tree removals from public land.

South Perth Mayor Greg Milner, who originally voted against the motion to remove the trees, said that while he is aware of the 'strong community reaction', he is not allowed to criticise decisions made by the council.

"If I can speak in very general terms, and this is a much wider commentary, this isn't specifically on this particular decision, my personal view is that local governments work best when elected members listen to the views of the community that they represent," he told Mark Gibson on ABC Radio Perth.

The council agenda briefing will be held on August 19th, with a vote taking place on August 26th.

🎧Hear the whole conversation: https://ab.co/46C9lXX

29/07/2025

Harley Reid's second AFL season has ended four games early, with the West Coast Eagles confirming their rising star will miss the final month with an ankle injury.

The news comes amid intense speculation in AFL circles about the long-term playing future of Reid, who indicated on social media that he may be planning to remain in WA.

The West Coast Eagles confirm Harley Reid will miss the last month of the AFL season with an ankle injury, before the rising star indicates on social media that he may be planning to remain in WA.

29/07/2025

Sir Michael Hill, the founder of jewellery brand Michael Hill, has died aged 86.

READ MORE: http://ab.co/44T7ooK

The company announced "with great sadness" the passing of their founder in a statement released on Tuesday.

"The Board, Executive and all the Michael Hill team express their deepest and sincerest condolences to Michael's family and friends."

The company has remembered Sir Michael as a "celebrated jeweller, entrepreneur, philanthropist and committed father and husband".

29/07/2025

"I am absolutely furious with Commonwealth Bank. This is the richest bank in Australia profiting from the poorest people on the continent. There is no justification for any of the banks to hang on to the income of the poorest people just to boost their share price."

Hundreds of thousands of Australians slugged more than $60 million in excessive bank fees could soon get a refund, but Commonwealth Bank customers may not see a cent of $270 million in unfair charges.

Hundreds of thousands of Australians slugged more than $60 million in excessive bank fees could soon get a refund, but Commonwealth Bank customers may not see a cent of $270 million in unfair charges.

29/07/2025

"[It] should be a stark reminder to all of us that while the flu can sometimes be a mild illness, it can be life-threatening, and every year, we lose lives to the flu," Australian Medical Association president Dr Danielle McMullen said.

Medical experts have issued a call for people to get vaccinated against the flu, after the death of a two-year-old Perth girl in May marked the first time a toddler had succumbed to the virus in WA this winter.

Experts urge people to get vaccinated against the flu, after the death of a little girl from the virus in Perth.