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AM briefing: Calls for a culture review at PCH, how WA’s iron ore saved Australia and Rioli awaits his verdict

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A whistleblower calls for a culture review at PCH in the wake of Aishwarya’s death, how WA’s iron ore saved Australia and Rioli awaits his verdict. Check out The West’s top five must-read stories.
Camera IconA whistleblower calls for a culture review at PCH in the wake of Aishwarya’s death, how WA’s iron ore saved Australia and Rioli awaits his verdict. Check out The West’s top five must-read stories.

In the wake of Aishwarya Aswath’s tragic death, the former boss of Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial hospitals — who was removed from his role after blowing the whistle on baby deaths — has urged for review of the workplace culture at Perth Children’s Hospital.

The State’s booming iron ore industry contributed nearly one-fifth of total company tax paid across the whole of Australia last year, keeping the nation on its feet during a devastating pandemic.

William and Harry have slammed the BBC after a probe found a journalist used “deceitful behaviour” to secure a 1995 interview with Princess Diana.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to halt military hostilities across the Gaza Strip border in the coming hours.

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And the Eagles have made a highly-anticipated call on embattled player Willie Rioli’s future at the club after his latest drug-related indiscretion.

Here are the top five stories on The West Australian this morning.

The former boss of Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial hospitals says an independent review to be launched in the wake of Aishwarya Aswath’s death must look into the culture at PCH.
Camera IconThe former boss of Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial hospitals says an independent review to be launched in the wake of Aishwarya Aswath’s death must look into the culture at PCH.

Ex-hospital boss says culture change at PCH a priority

The former boss of Princess Margaret and King Edward Memorial hospitals says an independent review to be launched in the wake of Aishwarya Aswath’s death must look into the culture at Perth Children’s Hospital.

Michael Moodie was removed as chief executive of the two hospitals in 2000 amid pressure from senior doctors after he blew the whistle on unnecessary deaths and harm to babies and women at KEMH and trust account problems at PMH, but a year later was vindicated by a landmark inquiry.

The Douglas inquiry found 53 of the 92 patient cases — between 1990 and 2000 — it studied at the State’s public maternity hospital involved “very unsafe” practices by doctors and nurses.

Read the full story here.

An excavator loads ore into autonomous dump trucks at Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.'s Solomon Hub mining operations in the Pilbara region.
Camera IconAn excavator loads ore into autonomous dump trucks at Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.'s Solomon Hub mining operations in the Pilbara region. Credit: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg

WA’s iron ore props up nation with $15b in tax

WA’s booming iron ore industry contributed nearly one-fifth of total company tax paid across the whole of Australia last year — about $15 billion — keeping the nation on its feet in the face of a devastating pandemic.

And that does not include the $7.6b in royalties that flowed into State Government coffers in 2019-20, contributing to a record $3.1b surplus and prompting ratings agency S&P to label the WA economy the strongest in the world.

Analysis of Australian company tax paid by BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Hancock Prospecting and Mineral Resources reveal the quintet shelled out a combined $15.4b last year.

Read the full story here.

Earl Spencer says his sister was deceived into giving the interview with Martin Bashir.
Camera IconEarl Spencer says his sister was deceived into giving the interview with Martin Bashir. Credit: News Corp/News Corp

‘Our mother lost her life because of this’

Britain’s Prince William has accused the BBC of failing his mother Princess Diana and poisoning her relationship with Prince Charles after an inquiry found a journalist for the broadcaster deceitfully obtained an interview with her in 1995.

William’s astonishing rebuke to the public broadcaster comes after a report, published on Thursday, says the inquiry found BBC journalist Martin Bashir used deceit to win a sensational 1995 interview with Diana, and that the broadcaster covered up the deception.

During the Panorama interview, watched by more than 20 million viewers in Britain, Diana shocked the nation by admitting to an affair and sharing details of her marriage to the heir to the throne and William’s father, Prince Charles.

Read the full story here.

Demonstrators holding Palestinian flags stand on the top of a building during a protest against Israel.
Camera IconDemonstrators holding Palestinian flags stand on the top of a building during a protest against Israel. Credit: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza ceasefire

Israel and Hamas will cease fire across the Gaza Strip border as of 2am today (9am AEST), an official with the Palestinian Islamist faction said, bringing a potentially tenuous halt to the fiercest fighting in decades.

The ceasefire ended 11 days of conflict and a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the security cabinet had “unanimously accepted the recommendations to accept an Egyptian initiative for an unconditional... ceasefire.”

Israel’s security cabinet said it had voted unanimously in favour of a “mutual and unconditional” Gaza truce proposed by mediator Egypt.

Read the full story here.

Willie Rioli.
Camera IconWillie Rioli. Credit: Will Russell/AFL Photos

REVEALED: West Coast decide on Willie penalty

Willie Rioli could still return to the AFL this season after West Coast decided against sacking or imposing any further ban on the premiership forward.

The Eagles have yet to make an official announcement but The West Australian and 7NEWS understand the club has decided on its response to Rioli’s latest drug-related indiscretion.

Barring any unexpected setbacks, it is understood the Eagles will welcome Rioli back to the club on June 20 — the earliest date allowed under his Sport Integrity Australia ban — and not impose any further sanctions.

Read the full story here.

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