As it happened: WA news on Thursday, August 21

Turning to politics, WA Premier Roger Cook has just been asked if he believes his plan to improve road safety is failing, after the state recorded the worst year to date on record for road deaths.

During question time, Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr asked: “120 people dead so far this year. Why are you patting yourself on the back when you should be doing better?”

”That’s a disgraceful question, like you are,” Deputy Premier Rita Saffiotti could be heard saying.

Member for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter interjected, and was then labelled as the “biggest plonker in here” by Member for Balcatta David Michael.

The debate resulted in Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Stephen Price reminding members that “this is quite an important place”.

“Some of the language that has been used in some of the debates during this week has really pushed the boundary as to what is acceptable and what’s not,” he said.

“I’d like to ask everyone just to think about their role here and how they contribute, because you do need to uphold a certain level of standard.“

Answering the question, Cook said all West Australians had a role to play, including “making sure that you wear a seat belt, that you don’t drive at excessive speeds, that you don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, that you’re not distracted, and that you’re not driving tired.”

”We’ll continue through the Road Safety Council to be advised by the experts in relation to this, and continue to make sure we have the investments to ensure that our government is doing everything we can to keep Western Australians safe on the road,” he said.

That’s all for today, thanks for joining us.

Here’s what made headlines today:

• Two police officers have been hospitalised after a car crash near Northam around midday today. They have both been taken to hospital for assessment, with one officer suffering serious but not life-threatening injuries.
• WA’s Disability Services Minister Hannah Beazley says she was not ‘pre-briefed’ about planned changes to NDIS funding and who receives it announced by National Disability Minister Mark Butler this morning.
• A 76-year-old man has been charged after allegedly stabbing his 81-year-old neighbour in the driveway of her Willetton home.
• One of Perth’s most expensive private schools has asked parents for “philanthropic” donations to fund a new multimillion-dollar performing arts centre on the banks of the Swan River – set to be the “largest building investment the school has ever made”.
• Former Married at First Sight star Lauren Dunn is being sued by a Perth businessman who accuses her of posting malicious and false comments about him on social media.

Join us back here tomorrow with more live coverage.

Have a lovely evening!

Vasse Felix’s Virginia Willcock has been hailed as Winemaker of the Year at the nation’s top industry awards.

The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards – named after famed wine writer James Halliday and coinciding with the release of his annual compendium of the nation’s top drops – were held at Ormond House in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Willcock took out the top winemaking honour, but her handiwork was also praised, with the Caves Road icon’s Heytesbury Chardonnay 2023 winning both the Chardonnay of the Year and White Wine of the Year.

Of course, anyone who’s been to Margaret River knows the region turns out more than just chardonnays. The judges in this year’s awards knew that too, with Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year going to Devil’s Lair’s Cabernet Sauvignon 2023.

Meanwhile, Witchcliffe winery tripe.Iscariot won the Other Whites and Blends category with its Chenin Blanc 2023, while in the neighbouring Geographe wine region, bakkheia was named the year’s Dark Horse Winery.

Turning to politics, WA Premier Roger Cook has just been asked if he believes his plan to improve road safety is failing, after the state recorded the worst year to date on record for road deaths.

During question time, Member for Geraldton Kirrilee Warr asked: “120 people dead so far this year. Why are you patting yourself on the back when you should be doing better?”

”That’s a disgraceful question, like you are,” Deputy Premier Rita Saffiotti could be heard saying.

Member for Central Wheatbelt Lachlan Hunter interjected, and was then labelled as the “biggest plonker in here” by Member for Balcatta David Michael.

The debate resulted in Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Stephen Price reminding members that “this is quite an important place”.

“Some of the language that has been used in some of the debates during this week has really pushed the boundary as to what is acceptable and what’s not,” he said.

“I’d like to ask everyone just to think about their role here and how they contribute, because you do need to uphold a certain level of standard.“

Answering the question, Cook said all West Australians had a role to play, including “making sure that you wear a seat belt, that you don’t drive at excessive speeds, that you don’t drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, that you’re not distracted, and that you’re not driving tired.”

”We’ll continue through the Road Safety Council to be advised by the experts in relation to this, and continue to make sure we have the investments to ensure that our government is doing everything we can to keep Western Australians safe on the road,” he said.

A man and woman who went missing two days ago near Broome’s mangroves have been found by local police.

Deslee and Shaun were last seen driving a white Toyota Hilux ute about two days ago, on Crab Creek Road on the outskirts of Broome.

WA Police confirmed the pair had been found just after 11am this morning, and say they have been “safely located”.

“WA Police thank the community for their concern, support and assistance,” a spokesperson said.