2012-Feb-8: EMERGING DRUG, MDPV BANNED IN WA - Effects include acute cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity. MDPV to be illegal from midnight Friday February 10, 2012. The potentially fatal psychoactive drug, MDPV will be banned in Western Australia from midnight on Friday. With effects including anxiety, paranoia, acute cardiovascular and central nervous system toxicity, MDPV (3,4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone), will become an illicit substance when it is added to Schedule 9 (Prohibited Substances) of the Poisons Act 1964 (WA). Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said anyone caught with it could be charged for possession, selling, supplying or intent to sell or supply. [ Video/Podcast ]

2012-Feb-6: WORK CAMP FIRST FOR THE WHEATBELT - Launch of latest work camp for low-risk prisoners. Local communities to benefit from offender rehabilitation projects. A new work camp aimed at rehabilitating offenders through valuable community work will be launched this Wednesday in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region. Corrective Services Minister Terry Redman will joined several community and Department of Corrective Services representatives at the official opening of the Wheatbelt Work Camp (WWC) in Dowerin. [ Video/Podcast ]

2012-Feb-4: NEW 'POST IT NOTE' AD CAMPAIGN TARGETS CITY / REGIONAL DRIVERS - Motorists reminded to stick to speed limit. Speed kills average of 64 Western Australians a year. Western Australian motorists are being urged to do whatever they can to remind themselves and their loved ones to stick to the speed limit in a new advertising campaign starting February 4th, 2012. Police and Road Safety Minister Rob Johnson said the 'Post it notes' campaign featured drivers being reminded by post it notes, either written by themselves or by family members, why they should not speed. [ Video/Podcast ]

2012-Feb-1: iSCHOOL' IN AS STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO CLASS - 261,987 students begin lessons at more than 770 public schools across WA. $1million new iPad initiative to spark literacy and numeracy learning. As almost 262,000 students begin lessons at public schools across Western Australia, some of the smallest children are set to use touch technology to boost their literacy and numeracy skills. Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Liz Constable announced a new Early Childhood iPad Initiative would provide nearly 900 iPads for Year 1 and 2 classes in 17 schools, and two mentor schools that have previously participated in a pilot iPad program. [ Video/Podcast ]

2012-Jan-6: TOP YEAR 12 STUDENTS AWARDED BEAZLEY MEDALS - Winners from Trinity College and Woodvale Secondary College. Nearly 13,200 year 12s sat examinations in four or more WACE courses. The winners of the 2011 Beazley Medals were announced by Education Minister Liz Constable. Calum Braham, 16, who attended Trinity College and Nicole Kerr, 17, a student at Woodvale Secondary College won the prestigious prizes. Calum was awarded the Beazley Medal: WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education) for his academic achievement, and Nicole received the Beazley Medal: Vocational Education and Training for her excellence in vocational courses. [ Video/Podcast ]

2012-Jan-3: CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - Premier breaks ground on new children's hospital site. Construction on track for completion in 2015. Set to become part of major health precinct for West Australians of all ages. Premier Colin Barnett and Health Minister Kim Hames officially broke ground on the construction site of Western Australia's $1.2billion new children's hospital on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, Nedlands. The John Holland Group was awarded the Stage One Managing Contract to design and build the new facility. [ Video/Podcast ]

2012-Jan-3: CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON NEW CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - Premier breaks ground on new children's hospital site. Construction on track for completion in 2015. Set to become part of major health precinct for West Australians of all ages. Premier Colin Barnett and Health Minister Kim Hames officially broke ground on the construction site of Western Australia's $1.2billion new children's hospital on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre site, Nedlands. The John Holland Group was awarded the Stage One Managing Contract to design and build the new facility. [ Video/Podcast ]

2011-Dec-30: MASSIVE WATER BOMBER ARRIVES IN WA - The Erickson Aircrane will be operational in WA this summer; State Govt's $12.8m spend to secure a strong aerial fleet for bushfire season; Western Australian fire crews will be well-supported during the fire season with the arrival of one of the world's biggest rotary water bombers - the Erickson Aircrane - which can drop up to 9,500 litres of water in a single load. Emergency Services Minister Troy Buswell said the State Government acted on the advice of the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) to secure use of the biggest rotary water bomber to be stationed in WA. [ Video/Podcast ]

2011-Dec-28: STRONG AND STABLE OUTLOOK AT MID-YEAR REVIEW - Western Australia set to record nation's highest surplus for 2011-12. Estimated $209million surplus (2011-12) and surpluses forecast in all out years. Gross State Product growth, at 4.75 per cent, second highest in nation. WA has lowest State unemployment (4.3 per cent). Western Australia is set to record the highest surplus in the nation with a strong and stable economic outlook following the release of the mid-year review. Treasurer Christian Porter said despite serious global instability and impending financial threats from the Federal Labor Government. [ Video ]