Search
thewest.com.au
NewsChevron Right Icon

Social Affairs

Service saviour?CommentsPremium‘Must stay open’: McGowan considers Activ workshop lifeline

The McGowan government may intervene to save Activ workshops from closing, saying the sites employing more than 700 people with disability ‘need to stay open’.

Rebecca Le May and Josh Zimmerman

Social AffairsPremiumDisability service sorry over abuse

A disability service being investigated by a royal commission has offered an apology for the abuse of young men at one of its programs.

Tim Dornin

CEO VoiceCommentsPremium‘We don’t have any money’: Providers warn of impact

Disability employment providers say they’re on their knees and face closures amid cuts to Federal funding and an “abdication” by the State Government of its responsibility.

Adrian Lowe

Social AffairsRallies to defend US abortion rights

Demonstrators are rallying from coast to coast in the face of an anticipated Supreme Court decision that could overturn women's right to an abortion

Staff Writers

Divisive commentsPremium‘Respect, not censor’: Archer backs Deves in trans furore

Outspoken Liberal MP for Bass Bridget Archer has defended the right of Katherine Deves to make comments about trans children but says the mental health of LGBTIQ communities must be protected.

Lanai Scarr

‘Normal practice’CommentsPremiumWA taxpayers to cover McGurk’s defamation settlement

WA taxpayers will foot the cost of a financial settlement after Community Services Minister Simone McGurk was sued for defamation by a former WA Australian of the Year.

Peter Law

Social AffairsPremiumTransport safety, fairness on TWU agenda

The Transport Workers' Union will hold its national council meeting in Hobart this week with a focus on fairness and safety in the aviation and road sectors.

Tim Dornin

‘Key issue’ CommentsPremiumTent city re-emerges as Perth homeless crisis continues

A year after a homeless camp dubbed ‘tent city’ burnt down on the edge of the Perth CBD, a new makeshift campground has risen from the ashes.

Sarah Steger

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
‘settled by mutual agreement’Premium
The West Australian exclusive
McGurk avoids court after apology for ‘damaging’ comments

Community Services Minister Simone McGurk has apologised to psychologist Tracy Westerman over comments she made about her, after the former WA Australian of the Year launched legal action for defamation.

Annabel Hennessy

Social AffairsPremiumNSW teachers strike closes 200 schools

Striking teachers will rally outside NSW Parliament House as part of their campaign for a pay rise of between five and 7.5 per cent.

Jack Gramenz

‘Utter disgrace’PremiumUS abortion law that allows right to choose 'to be revoked'

Landmark US legislation that for almost 50 years has allowed a woman's right to choose to have an abortion could be overturned, reports suggest.

Staff Writers

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
‘Epidural injustice’CommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Women giving birth ‘not prioritised’ for pain relief

A Perth anaesthetist says some women in childbirth are being denied fast access to epidurals because the pain of labour is treated differently from other causes of severe pain.

Kate Emery

Social AffairsStressed WA renters seeking charity help

Anglicare WA's latest rental affordability snapshot identifies fewer than 50 properties that are affordable to West Australian minimum wage earners.

Michael Ramsey

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Cost of livingCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
West Aussies left with just ‘$50 in free cash after bills’

The negative impact of ‘insecure employment’ on workers’ diets, mental health, family relationships and finances has been revealed in new findings.

Annabel Hennessy

Record boost CommentsPremiumRacism claims spark massive child protection investment

There will be dozens more child protection workers hired in WA due to a record investment from the State Government, following reports of turmoil in the Department of Communities.

Briana Fiore

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
‘Cult-like’ Premium
The West Australian exclusive
Ex-resident tells of culture of abuse at Christian retreat

A teenager has broken her silence on the emotional abuse she suffered as a resident of a prominent WA Christian institution.

Phoebe Pin

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
‘very unethical, inhumane’Premium
The West Australian exclusive
Council cordon off homeless Indigenous couple’s ‘COVID camp’

A homeless Indigenous couple suspected of suffering from COVID-19 have had their camp site cordoned off in a Perth park and then been issued a move on notice by council authorities.

Briana Fiore

Social AffairsUnion warning on NSW Easter penalty rates

NSW businesses have been urged to ensure they're paying staff penalty rates over the Easter weekend, with union officials planning compliance checks.

Staff Writers

Social AffairsAirport travellers facing Easter chaos

The nation's airports are bracing for the busiest day in two years as people plan to get away for the Easter long weekend with travellers facing major delays.

Staff Writers

Social AffairsWomen statues to inspire Queensland girls

A campaign by a 10-year-old girl has led to the Queensland government putting funding towards a statue of a prominent woman scientist.

Staff Writers

Shocking allegations Premium‘Tortured’: Horror claims over Perth’s Esther Foundation

A Parliamentary Inquiry will examine damning allegations of mental, physical and sexual abuse that are said to have occurred at a Christian institution in Perth.

Briana Fiore

Hub for helpCommentsMajor new domestic violence help centre set for Northbridge

A $15 million seven-storey centre for women and children escaping domestic violence has been given the tick of approval despite concerns of anti-social behaviour in Northbridge. SEE THE DESIGN HERE.

Victoria Rifici

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
‘Closing the gap’
The West Australian exclusive
WA Indigenous NFP scores $1.5m youth support grant

A not-for-profit organisation providing Indigenous youth in remote communities across WA with educational opportunities has been promised nearly $1.5 million in extra funding by the Federal Government.

Kimberley Caines

TikTok trendPremiumSchool warning over disturbing ‘passing out challenge’

An inner-city Perth high school has issued an alert to parents about kids copying a dangerous social media craze where students force themselves to black out.

Bethany Hiatt