Good morning readers, and welcome to our live blog.
An update on some news that came through since we left you yesterday: a former Broome bishop accused of historical sex offences has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
ABC Kimberley reports Christopher Saunders appeared in Broome Magistrates Court on Monday afternoon for a committal mention, where he pleaded not guilty to 28 charges, including indecently dealing with a child, unlawful and indecent assault, and sexual penetration without consent.
Bishop Christopher Saunders (right).Credit: AAP
Police allege some of the offences took places in Broome and Kununurra between 2008 and 2013.
Saunders began working in Broome as a deacon in 1975 and became bishop in 1996, before resigning his post in 2021.
His bail was extended on Monday, ABC reported, and Saunders will next face court in January.
In other news, the Greens are eyeing Perth for their first-ever lower house seat. Leader Adam Bandt arrived in the west yesterday, and he reckons the party has a fighting chance of wresting control of the federal seat of Perth from incumbent Labor member Patrick Gorman.
So, can they do it? Hamish Hastie reports.
And in education news, the number of West Australian students applying for special provisions during their final ATAR exams is growing, despite fewer students choosing to sit them.
Rebecca Freeman is a parent of a year 11 child with diagnoses including ADHD and dyslexia, and also works as a developmental educator.
Freeman said she had seen the application numbers skyrocket, and believed much of the increase could be attributed to stress and mounting workloads.
“My son is taking five ATAR courses and he has 50 assignments to complete this year – he’s burnt out and he’s not even in year 12 yet,” she said.
Read Holly Thompson’s report here.
Thanks for joining us. Stay tuned as we bring you all the news you need to know today.