As it happened: WA news on Monday, March 16

Updated March 16, 2026 — 8:06pm,first published March 16, 2026 — 10:37am

Pinned post from 7.27pm on Mar 16, 2026

Perth-Doha flights cancelled after Qatari airspace closure

Flights from Perth to Doha have been cancelled until at least Wednesday after the closure of Qatari airspace amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

A Virgin Australia service, which code-shares with Qatar Airways, that was scheduled to take off just before 4pm on Monday was cancelled, while another scheduled for Wednesday has also been cancelled.

Flights from Perth-Doha have been cancelled until at least Wednesday.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has closed airspace above the country, but flagged temporary authorisation for limited operating corridors, which Qatar Airways is utilising to send out limited flights.

“Virgin Australia services operated by Qatar Airways remain impacted by the ongoing security situation in the Middle East and the closure of Qatari airspace,” a Virgin statement read.

“The safety of our guests and crew is always our top priority, and we thank everyone for their understanding.

“For guests booked on Virgin Australia’s Doha services up to and including 28 March 2026 who no longer wish to travel, we are offering free booking changes to the same destination, or a travel credit or refund.”

A Qatar Airways statement said its limited schedule would be operated to support passengers affected by the disruption and “help them reunite with family and friends as quickly and safely as possible”.

It comes as Emirates announced limited services would resume at Dubai’s main international airport following a suspension of flights due to a drone incident at the airport.

Emirates flights that left Melbourne and Sydney on Sunday night bound for Dubai International Airport were diverted to arrive at Dubai World Central in Jebel Ali, about an hour’s drive from Dubai International.

A drone attack near Dubai International hit a fuel tank, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend flights.

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8.06pm on Mar 16, 2026

Today’s headlines

We’re bringing our live blog to a close for the day, thank you for joining us.

Here’s a recap of some of the day’s headlines:

The parents of five students suspended from Baldivis Secondary College will meet with the principal today after vision of them tormenting a relief teacher went viral on TikTok.
Fresh fish could cost WA households up to 40 per cent more this Easter, according to estimate from WA seafood retailers.
Australian author Craig Silvey has been slapped with more criminal charges ahead of a court appearance today in Fremantle.
The state government wants to hand Griffin Coal a “get out of jail free” card, according to the Conservation Council of WA.
The WA Police Union says two officers who helped save a man after he allegedly set himself on fire following a car chase exemplify why medical entitlements in the force need to be strengthened.
A 35-year-old Aboriginal woman has died in Bandyup Women’s Prison this morning, with the Department of Justice deeming it ‘not suspicious’.
Flights from Perth to Doha have been cancelled until at least Wednesday after the closure of Qatari airspace amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Thank you again for tuning in today, we’ll see you back here tomorrow for more news you need to know.

Pinned post from 7.27pm on Mar 16, 2026

Perth-Doha flights cancelled after Qatari airspace closure

Flights from Perth to Doha have been cancelled until at least Wednesday after the closure of Qatari airspace amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Virgin Australia services operated by Qatar Airways remain impacted by the ongoing security situation in the Middle East and the closure of Qatari airspace,” a Virgin statement read.

“The safety of our guests and crew is always our top priority, and we thank everyone for their understanding.

It comes as Emirates announced limited services would resume at Dubai’s main international airport following a suspension of flights due to a drone incident at the airport.

A drone attack near Dubai International hit a fuel tank, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend flights.

6.25pm on Mar 16, 2026

Perth woman dies in custody

By Hamish Hastie

A 35-year-old Aboriginal woman has died in Bandyup Women’s Prison this morning, with the Department of Justice deeming it ‘not suspicious’.

In a statement, the department said the woman was found unresponsive in her single-occupancy cell early this morning.

“Staff provided first aid to the prisoner before St John WA paramedics arrived,” it said.

“The woman was declared deceased at the site.

“Preliminary reports indicate that there were no suspicious circumstances.”

WA Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

3.55pm on Mar 16, 2026

WA Police officers injured while rescuing man who ‘set himself on fire’

By Hannah Murphy

The WA Police Union says two officers who helped save a man after he allegedly set himself on fire following a car chase exemplify why medical entitlements in the force need to be strengthened.

Police charged the man over the January 14 incident last week, and claimed he took police on a chase through Perth’s southern suburbs before he became bogged and set himself on fire when officers came to help.

A spokesperson for the WA Police said the incident was a prime example of what officers face on the streets every day.

“The incident ... is yet another example of the dedication shown by our police officers, who put their own safety and wellbeing on the line to protect the community, even those they are required to apprehend,” they said.

“Both officers involved in the arrest sustained injuries themselves, yet still provided care to the suspect, helping minimise his burns and very likely saving his life.

“Moments like this are exactly why police officers need a strong and genuine commitment from both the government and WA police when it comes to health coverage and sick leave entitlements.

Officers deserve the peace of mind that if they are injured in the line of duty, they will be properly supported. An injury can end a career and have a lasting impact on officers and their families.

“Unfortunately, the current police compensation scheme is falling short. It has not been increased since it was introduced almost a decade ago, and medical entitlements continue to be a constant struggle for many officers.

“That does not reflect the level of commitment our officers deserve. When those who serve are left feeling unsupported, it is no surprise that many within the ‘Blue Family’ are questioning whether the system is still looking after them.”

The 33-year-old man involved in the January incident has been charged with two counts of being a driver of a vehicle that failed to comply with a direction to stop, reckless driving to escape police, and one count of with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or prevent arrest, cast, threw or otherwise applied corrosive fluid or any destructive or explosive substance.

He will appear in Armadale Magistrates Court on March 24.

1.49pm on Mar 16, 2026

Griffin Coal’s mining extension to be put before WA Parliament

By Holly Thompson

The state government wants to hand Griffin Coal a “get out of jail free” card, according to the Conservation Council of WA.

A five-year mining extension will be put before parliament this week, including a rehabilitation and decommissioning release clause.

CCWA Executive Director Matt Roberts said the bill, which would amend the State Agreement Act between the WA government and Griffin Coal, contains the following clause:

Notwithstanding any law of the state including the EP Act, the state may agree to release the company, in whole or in part, from its obligations and liabilities relating to decommissioning and rehabilitation under the State Agreement, the EP Act or otherwise.

“In a nutshell, the state government can allow Griffin Coal to simply pack up and walk away from its operations, leaving WA taxpayers to foot the bill for the clean-up,” Roberts said.

“It provides the state government with an option to declare land within, or adjacent to the mining areas to be removed from ‘state forest’ classification.”

Roberts said last year Premier Roger Cook said the government would not be funding Griffin beyond June 30, 2026.

“And yet here they are, pouring more money into the dirtiest of fossil fuels, while at the same time drafting plans for new gas-fired plants,” he said.

12.42pm on Mar 16, 2026

Forensic search leads to more charges against author Craig Silvey

By Rebecca Peppiatt

Australian author Craig Silvey has been slapped with more criminal charges ahead of a court appearance today in Fremantle.

The writer, 43, was arrested at his home in January after he was allegedly caught “actively engaging” with other child exploitation offenders online.

This morning WA Police has released a statement saying he was now also charged with one count of producing child exploitation material, and one count of possession child exploitation material, and that as part of their investigation a 68-year-old Marangaroo woman has also been charged.

“As part of the investigation, forensic analysis is being conducted on all electronic devices seized,” the statement read.

“During this analysis, a 68-year-old woman was identified as allegedly producing and distributing child exploitation material online with the man.”

The woman has been charged with two counts of producing child exploitation material, one count of distributing child exploitation material and three counts of failing to comply with reporting obligations.

She was remanded in custody and will next appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court on April 2.

Silvey, best known for his 2009 novel Jasper Jones, was banned from accessing the internet as part of his bail because police alleged he had engaged in online conversations over several days in January, during which he expressed a sexual interest in children and distributed child exploitation material.

He was eventually released on a $100,000 surety, but his lawyers went back to court days later asking to vary his conditions so he could access his phone and delete his social media accounts.

11.25am on Mar 16, 2026

Fresh fish prices expected to surge this Easter due to new fishing bans

Fresh fish could cost WA households up to 40 per cent more this Easter, according to estimate from WA seafood retailers.

Merchants say they have had to increase prices as a result of the controversial new demersal fishing ban, which came into effect from January 1 this year.

The new restrictions, aimed at preserving WA’s fish stocks, banned demersal, gillnet and commercial line fishers from the West Coast fishery, an 800km stretch of coast.

The reduction in produce has led to some wholesalers being forced to increase the price for most fish species by an average of 15 to 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, shopfronts are reporting customers are paying up to 40 per cent more for premium fish species like red emperor.

10.37am on Mar 16, 2026

Perth parents of suspended students who tormented relief teacher to meet with principal

The parents of five students suspended from Baldivis Secondary College will meet with the principal today after vision of them tormenting a relief teacher went viral on TikTok.

The video, since deleted, showed students running rampant in the classroom, walking on desks, touching the teacher’s hair, and blowing vape smoke in her face.

Students at Baldivis Secondary College tormenting a relief teacher.

The State School Teachers Union of WA said the incident is an example of the abuse relief teachers deal with daily and that the disrespectful behaviour is part of the reason many teachers are leaving the profession.

Education minister Sabine Winton slammed the vision, saying teachers deserved respect in the classroom and to feel safe.

The teacher involved has been offered support, while the parents of the five suspended students have been invited to meet with the school principal today.

10.37am on Mar 16, 2026

Across the country and around the world

Here’s what’s making news across the country and around the world:

This is not a blip. One Nation’s rise is real, and it is now stealing voters from Labor, not just the Liberals and Nationals. The loss of support to Pauline Hanson’s party will concern Anthony Albanese, but it will not surprise him.
The Iranian women’s soccer team captain has become the latest player to abandon an asylum claim in Australia and return home, sparking fears the players’ relatives are being threatened with retaliation by the Tehran regime.

The consumer and competition watchdog has called on the government to adopt new franchise laws that would permit the regulator to suspend badly behaving chains and stop small business operators from suffering ongoing harm.

10.37am on Mar 16, 2026

As it happened: WA news on Monday, March 16

Perth-Doha flights cancelled after Qatari airspace closure

Latest Posts

Today’s headlines

Perth-Doha flights cancelled after Qatari airspace closure

Perth woman dies in custody

WA Police officers injured while rescuing man who ‘set himself on fire’

Griffin Coal’s mining extension to be put before WA Parliament

Forensic search leads to more charges against author Craig Silvey

Fresh fish prices expected to surge this Easter due to new fishing bans

Perth parents of suspended students who tormented relief teacher to meet with principal

Across the country and around the world

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