Updated August 6, 2026 — 10:42am,first published August 6, 2026 — 9:21am10.42amPerth office vacancies buck national trendBy Are more people back working in Perth’s CBD? Perhaps so, if the latest survey from the Property Council of Australia is anything to go by. The survey, released today, shows Perth’s office vacancy rate fell to 15.4 per cent, down from 16.9 per cent, with most of the demand being for high-quality, “A-grade” office space.Are more people coming back to work in Perth’s CBD?Duncan WrightWhile the vacancy rate remained above the historic average of about 14 per cent, Ray White Commercial’s head of research Vanessa Rader said the Perth market, along with Brisbane’s, was approaching levels not seen in several years. “With little new supply due in either market over the coming twelve months, prime assets in these cities are increasingly well positioned, tightening availability of quality space typically supports rental growth well ahead of any broader recovery in secondary stock,” she said.9.56amPerth Bears’ English raid continues, sign Canberra forwardBy Jasper BrucePerth have signed Canberra toiler Morgan Smithies, but a marquee foundation player continues to prove elusive for the NRL’s 18th team.Smithies has inked a three-year deal and becomes the fourth Englishman to join the Bears for their return to the competition in Western Australia next year.Morgan Smithies is set to move west to play for the Perth Bears.Getty ImagesThe 25-year-old’s deal contains an option for two further seasons beyond that.Smithies joined Canberra in 2024 and has become a mainstay of Ricky Stuart’s forward pack, piecing together a strong 2025 campaign as the Raiders clinched the minor premiership.9.21amPerth paediatrician now faces 72 child sex abuse chargesBy A Perth paediatrician on bail over dozens of child sex abuse allegations will return to court on Thursday after being hit with another 15 charges.Dr Chia Liang Saw, 41, was initially arrested and charged in May, with police alleging he engaged in persistent sexual conduct with a child and possessed child exploitation material.Perth paediatrician Dr Chia Saw.LinkedInSaw’s request for bail was repeatedly delayed, with prosecutors adding further charges as more alleged victims were identified, before he was eventually released under strict conditions last month.Now, the paediatrician faces a total of 72 charges relating to 18 victims, with the new allegations including six counts of indecent dealing with a child under 13 years old, three counts of indecently recording a child under 13 years old, and three counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13 years old.9.21amAcross Australia and around the worldBy Here’s what’s making headlines elsewhere today:Independent MPs representing suburbs where house values are falling at the fastest rate in the nation have backed the federal government’s negative gearing and capital gains tax changes, saying they will finally give young people a chance to buy a home.Myer is scooping up a growing number of Australian luxury and designer brands that are choosing to break their exclusive relationships with David Jones as the long-time retail rivals fight to stay relevant among Millennials and Gen Z shoppers.A woman has been arrested after four people were stabbed in London’s Covent Garden, a bustling area in the centre of the capital that is full of attractions and popular with visitors.Democrats in the midwestern state of Michigan have chosen Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing Muslim health administrator, to be their candidate for the US Senate in a result with seismic consequences for the midterm elections and US politics.9.21amToday’s weatherBy 9.21amWelcome to our live news blogBy Good morning readers, and welcome to our live news blog for Thursday, August 6.Making headlines today is the Diggers and Dealers mining forum in Kalgoorlie where, despite all the fuss about rare earths and lithium, gold continued to steal the show.And what about uranium? A deal signed between the Albanese government and India earlier this year was the catalyst for a lot of talk about the potential of the state’s uranium mining ban being lifted, but what do the state’s policymakers think?Read more here to find out.Goncalo Ramos of AC Milan looks to cross the ball during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale (Inter) at Optus Stadium.James Worsfold/Getty Images1 of 1