News Articles for Mark McGowan

WA has recorded nine new local cases of COVID-19, as the state government unveils the new protocols that will come into effect when cases inevitably surge.

Mining magnate Clive Palmer has taken to the airwaves to confirm he intends to file a new legal action against the state government, this time for $50 million in damages.

For most Western Australians, learning to live with COVID-19 will mean looking to the eastern states, if not the rest of the world, for direction.

A further 14 new local COVID cases have been recorded in Western Australia overnight, including two cases of unknown origin.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson's deputy Gary Dreibergs will succeed him as the state's vaccine commander, as the vaccine rollout reaches school-aged children.

WA has recorded seven new local cases of COVID-19, while Mark McGowan says his border opening delay has received strong support.

Delaying the reopening of the state's borders is an admission of failure to prepare the health system, Liberal leader David Honey says.

The planned February 5 reopening of the state's borders has been cancelled amid a surge in Omicron-driven hospitalisations on the east coast, but Mark McGowan has promised a more compassionate approach.

Text messages between Mark McGowan and John Quigley will become public as part of his defamation battle with Clive Palmer.

WA has recorded no new local COVID cases since the return of the mask mandate overnight, but the Premier has warned Omicron is likely lingering in the community.

By the end of the month, WA will introduce the broadest COVID vaccination requirements in the nation, with the unvaccinated to be barred from pubs, gyms, gigs and entertainment venues.

WA has recorded four new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, with the health minister warning that it was likely there had been community spread of the virus.

Western Australia has recorded three new local cases of COVID-19 overnight, as Premier Mark McGowan warns those not yet vaccinated that life is about to get “very difficult”.

Premier Mark McGowan and the hotel industry are urging pubgoers to respect hospitality staff after venues reported an increase in abuse directed at workers about COVID-19 rules.

Five new local COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Western Australia, with hundreds now being forced to isolate after potential exposures at an event.

The state government has confirmed a new positive COVID-19 case in the Perth community resulting in hundreds of potential contacts.

Premier McGowan has extended mandatory requirements for eligible workers to receive a third booster shot and reintroduced hard borders to all Australian states.

Western Australia's health system is set to come under extraordinary pressure when interstate borders reopen, even without a surge in local COVID-19 hospitalisations, doctors have warned.

ANALYSIS: Aboriginal leader Kado Muir has publicly asked a question many people are asking privately: why did premier Mark McGowan make so many changes in Friday's ministerial reshuffle?

Western Australia will be effectively closed to every state and territory for Christmas under plans to further strengthen border controls.

Premier Mark McGowan has announced a major cabinet reshuffle this morning, with Amber-Jade Sanderson set to replace Roger Cook as Health Minister.

Higher public sector wages, new transport projects and Burrup Peninsula infrastructure are among $2.2 billion of state government spending announced as rising tax revenue fills treasury coffers.

Any remaining hopes for a summer of cricket in Western Australia have been curtailed as a snap border closure to New South Wales forces Perth Scorchers games to other states.

A feature film made in WA is set to premiere at Perth Festival before being released in cinemas in May.

The state government has upgraded New South Wales from high risk to an extreme under its controlled border arrangements, as the number of COVID cases in the state continues to surge.

After almost two years, Western Australia will ease its hard border restrictions and reconnect with the rest of the world from 12:01am on February 5.

Recent state final demand data shows that Western Australia's domestic economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the September quarter.

Western Australia's premier is set to finally reveal when the state's borders will open, ending months of speculation and frustration for locked-out families.

It's unclear what benefit WA would receive from merging its universities into a single institution.

While lower returns on equity have flowed through to WA's top earners this year, the river has hardly run dry for the top end of town.

Exmouth Gulf will be home to a new marine park and nature reserves, the state government announced today, while proponents of two projects believe they will be able to coexist.

WA has secured five group stage matches in the 2023 Women's World Cup, while Matildas games and knockout matches will be held in the eastern states and New Zealand.

WA's vaccine mandates could cost the economy $2.9 billion in productive work, according to data from the state's peak business body.

Roger Cook has emphasised the significance of WA's trading relationships with Asia, while questioning whether the federal government appreciates their depth.

More direct flights to Perth and international tourist advertising are part of a $185 million plan announced by Mark McGowan to help the state reopen to the world.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison used Tuesday's national cabinet to urge state and territory leaders to stick to their reopening plans, despite Omicron raising anxieties about the virus.

Aboriginal groups are vigorously opposed to government reform efforts, leaving challenges for industry.

The Morrison government has delayed the reopening of the Australian border to skilled workers, international students and other visa holders as it gathers more information on the Omicron coronavirus variant.

Austin Engineering has delivered its 1,000th truck body to Rio Tinto's iron ore division, while Forrestfield-based Schlam won a $110 million contract from BHP.

Western Australia's premier says it's too early to tell whether the state's reopening will be delayed and has warned mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations are here to stay.