As it happened: WA news on Friday, October 16

Two West Australian men died following a light plane crash in regional New South Wales on Friday. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Scone, in the Upper Hunter region, around 11am Western Standard Time. The men had traveled from Western Australia to purchase the aircraft, and both perished upon impact when the plane crashed into a paddock. WA Premier Roger Cook publicly supported Attorney General and Higher Education Minister Tony Buti amid a challenging week in Parliament. Buti faced scrutiny over two distinct issues: calls to investigate the 2023 murders of the Hawke children in Port Hedland and controversy surrounding his consideration of merging three universities, Murdoch, Curtin, and UWA. Following a press conference on Thursday, Buti announced new evidence had prompted him to reverse a previous decision rejecting an inquest into the Hawke children's deaths. He also revealed plans to request a refund exceeding $160,000 from Deloitte for its 2025 report on the proposed university merger, citing citation errors attributed to artificial intelligence use. Sixteen West Australians were named among the 131 nominees for the 2027 Australian of the Year awards. National Australia Day Council chief executive Carrie Leeson described the WA nominees as exceptional, highlighting their contributions to community welfare and innovation. Among them are individuals such as Lifeline’s longest-serving volunteer, an architect aiding the homeless, and a musician mentoring youth. A decline in whale sightings along Western Australia’s coastline has raised concerns among researchers. Geographe Marine Research, a non-profit organization conducting regular whale censuses, recorded only 23 humpbacks, including one newborn, and one southern right whale during a survey in June. That number represents a sharp drop compared to the 69 humpbacks observed in the same timeframe the previous year. Researchers suggested the decrease might indicate a shift in migration patterns. Environmental advocates and local residents plan to protest against proposed developments at Matilda Bay, a planned ferry terminal site. A rally is scheduled for the upcoming weekend, with politicians including Kate Chaney, Brad Pettitt, Steve Martin, and Jonathon Huston expected to participate. The state government may soon approve a construction tender for the terminal, part of the $107 million Swan Ferry Service Expansion project. Critics argue the project could negatively affect the area and demand transparency regarding planning documents. Authorities in Western Australia discovered a hidden camera in a private residence after receiving a tip-off from U.S. officials investigating online child abuse. The device was reportedly used to record a woman undressing. Investigations into the matter continue.