Updated June 23, 2026 — 6:54pm,first published June 23, 2026 — 9:15am6.54pm on Jun 23, 2026Today’s headlinesBy Thanks for joining us.Here’s a reminder of today’s top headlines:West Australian Agricultural Minister Jackie Jarvis says there have been no new positive cases of bird flu in the state despite investigations into samples taken from birds in the Perth metropolitan area and as far north as Geraldton.The Combined BHP Port Unions has confirmed they met with the company today to discuss a range of issues relating to the wages and working conditions of their members working at Port Hedland port operations.The state government is looking into the feasibility of turning the National Resilience Centre in Bullsbrook into a prison facility, but Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia says no decision has officially been made.A direct London to Perth flight has made an unexpected landing in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.The brother of a young Perth girl shot dead by a Pakistani police officer has been released from hospital.Authorities have revealed the violent murders of a mother and son in Albany in February this year remains unsolved, with a $1 million reward offered for information that leads to catching their killer.After spending six weeks in a Perth quarantine facility, the six passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship are finally making their way home.See you back here tomorrow.6.35pm on Jun 23, 2026New battery-operated trucks for PilbaraBy Michael PhilippsTwo of the state’s biggest mining companies have launched a trial of two battery electric haul trucks following three months of testing at a major iron ore mine in WA’s north.BHP and Rio Tinto have trialled the Caterpillar 793 XE early learner trucks at the Jimblebar iron ore mine in WA’s Pilbara region in a bid to lower greenhouse gas emissions in large-scale mining operations.More than 100 hours of operation and over 200 test laps have occurred in early phase testing, which is part of a total of seven trucks being tested around the world.WA Premier Roger Cook said the trial will help deliver his government’s vision of reducing emissions in the Pilbara.The new trucks are set to be deployed up north.BHP6.07pm on Jun 23, 2026No new bird flu cases despite testing as far north as GeraldtonBy Michael PhilippsWest Australian Agricultural Minister Jackie Jarvis says there have been no new positive cases of bird flu in the state despite investigations into samples taken from birds in the Perth metropolitan area and as far north as Geraldton.More than 100 reports have been made to the emergency animal disease hotline since the first confirmed positive case was announced on Friday last week.WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis.Michael PhilippsHowever, Jarvis said the state’s figures remained at the two positive cases previously reported from an isolated area east of Esperance.“On Monday, the 22nd of June, there were 36 reports to the animal emergency disease hotline,” she said.5.38pm on Jun 23, 2026Pilbara unions meet amid threats of strike action at port By Michael PhilippsThe Combined BHP Port Unions has confirmed they met with the company today to discuss a range of issues relating to the wages and working conditions of their members working at Port Hedland port operations.The Pilbara’s mining industry could face its first industrial action in decades, with the several unions threatening to strike if a deal to improve pay for BHP workers is not reached.The Combined BHP Ports Unions consist of the Western Mine Workers’ Alliance (The Australian Workers’ Union WA and Mining and Energy Union WA), the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union WA and the Electrical Trades Union WA.A spokesperson from the combined union group said while some progress was made, the parties are still some way from reaching an agreement that addresses the core concerns of our members.“The unions remains ready, willing and able to continue negotiating with BHP, and a furtherbargaining meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 7 July,” the spokesperson said.No industrial action is anticipated until the next meeting has occurred.4.02pm on Jun 23, 2026Perth quarantine hub could be transformed into prisonBy Michael PhilippsThe state government is looking into the feasibility of turning the National Resilience Centre in Bullsbrook into a prison facility, but Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia says no decision has officially been made.The Bullsbrook facility. 9News PerthThe news comes as the six passengers from the hantavirus-stricken cruise ship who were quarantined in the facility for six weeks left this morning after completing their isolation period. Papalia said assessment work of the Bullsbrook facility is still in its preliminary stages.“As part of that process, the Department of Justice is examining a range of issues, including operational suitability, infrastructure requirements, costs, and how the site would compare with other options being considered to meet the state’s future custodial needs,” he said.“The facility remains a Commonwealth asset and any matters relating to its future ownership, transfer or use would be subject to discussions with the Commonwealth government.“If a proposal were to proceed beyond the feasibility stage, community consultation would form an important part of the process.”2.26pm on Jun 23, 2026Direct London to Perth flight diverts to KarrathaBy A direct London to Perth flight has made an unexpected landing in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. The 17-hour flight was scheduled to land at Perth Airport at midday today, but instead diverted to Karratha Airport. The flight path for the QF10 London to Perth flight. Flightradar24It’s understood the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner needed more fuel to complete the final two hours of its journey after weather conditions during the flight forced the crew to adjust the flight path. Karratha Airport, mostly used to service the region’s fly-in, fly-out mining workforce, was only just approved to accept larger aircraft last month, with the location becoming a designated restricted use international airport and alternative international airport. It’s expected the Perth-bound flight will take off again at 12.40pm, around one hour after landing. 1.30pm on Jun 23, 2026Tourism minister urges travellers to keep visiting Esperance, despite bird flu cases By Michael PhilippsWA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby has encouraged people to continue to holiday and visit the Esperance region despite concerns over the recent detection of bird flu in the area.Two birds have been confirmed to be infected with the deadly H5N1 virus – one in a giant petrel and the other in a brown skua – after they were found in Cape Le Grand national park on WA’s southern coast.WA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby.Michael PhilippsWhitby said there had been no update other than the two cases that had been confirmed, but encouraged people to continue travelling in the area.“As tourism minister, I just want to send a message out there, because this has been raised in terms of tourism to the south coast,” he said.12.35pm on Jun 23, 2026WA Police’s new facial recognition cameras nab several people in first shopping centre sting By WA Police’s new facial recognition cameras have started to be deployed across Perth this week, with the technology based at Midland Gate yesterday leading to several arrests.Police minister Reece Whitby described the arrests as a positive result.“People felt incredibly safe and appreciative that that technology was there and in place in Midland,” he said. “I think we need to remember the extraordinary lengths the police have gone to in Western Australia in terms of governance to make sure we get this right, to make sure privacy is protected, and to make sure that no information is retained that doesn’t relate to anyone who is wanted for arrest or a warrant.”12.07pm on Jun 23, 2026Brother of slain Perth schoolgirl released from Pakistani hospital By Hannah MurphyThe brother of a young Perth girl shot dead by a Pakistani police officer has been released from hospital.Dawn, an English-speaking Pakistani media outlet, reported Aafan Ahmad, 11, was released from hospital on Thursday after he was seriously injured during the same shoot-out that killed his sister Hania, 9, in Chakwal.The Ahmad family had been visiting relatives earlier this month from Perth, when they were robbed by two opportunistic thieves.A Crime Control Department officer saw what happened and mistook the family’s rental car as belonging to the thieves, and opened fire on the family. Hania was killed in the shoot-out and the officer has since been charged with her murder.11.11am on Jun 23, 2026Number of WA children contacting Kids Helpline surges By The number of West Australian kids reaching out to Kids Helpline has jumped dramatically in the past year. WA calls to Kids Helpline have grown by 74 per cent in the past year. File photoIn 2025, 10,392 children contacted the helpline for issues such as child abuse, suicide attempts and mental illness escalation. It marks an increase of 4420 enquiries when compared to the previous year. WA kids represented eight per cent of the contacts to Kids Helpline nationally. 1 of 2