News Articles for Roger Cook

The state government has said it will allow public and private hospitals to increase elective surgeries to 50 per cent of normal activity as of Monday, following new guidelines set today by the national cabinet.

WA businesses must prepare a COVID Safety Plan before reopening next week. Some cafés and restaurants as well as community facilities will reopen and non-contact community sports will resume. WA reported zero new coronavirus infections overnight.

The state government is providing special assistance for universities and local councils. A new scheme has been announced to help the mining industry. Western Australia has reported no new coronavirus infections.

WA has reported its sixth consecutive day of no new coronavirus infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison says coronavirus restrictions are costing the Australian economy $4 billion each week. The National Cabinet is expected to ease some restrictions on Friday.

WA has reported its fifth consecutive day of zero coronavirus infections. Roger Cook has warned Western Australians cannot become complacent, despite four more recoveries overnight. There are 15 active cases in WA.

Adarsh Australia has been awarded a government contract to produce up to 10,000 face shields for Western Australia's surgeons and ENT specialists, boosting the state's supply of critical protective medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The National Cabinet has brought forward its decision to ease restrictions. The federal government will inject a further $205 million into aged care. Western Australia has reported zero new coronavirus cases overnight. The state government will launch a COVID-19 testing program in schools.

The state has recorded one coronavirus death and two infections overnight. Roger Cook has urged Western Australians to only leave home for essential purposes. Scott Morrison says social distancing measures will not apply in classrooms.

The state government has awarded Malaga company Wild Child Laboratories a $1.7 million contract to produce hand sanitiser for the state's hospitals.

Western Australia marked its second day without any new COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Roger Cook said around a quarter of all deferred elective surgery may resume as of next week, and the federal government announced its intentions to stockpile $100 million of fuel.

Roger Cook has revealed which procedures will be given priority when elective surgery resumes next week. WA has reported only one coronavirus case overnight. Regional WA will gain rapid virus testing that will produce results within an hour.

Western Australia's coronavirus cases remain static at 545, a first for the state since February 21. Temporary restrictions on takeaway alcohol sales have been lifted. National cabinet to consider resumption of elective surgery tomorrow.

Australia's coronavirus restrictions will remain in place for four weeks. Health Minister Roger Cook has announced an expanded COVID-19 testing program in WA. The state has reported two new infections and an extra case from the Artania cruise ship.

WA has reported 14 new infections, including two more healthcare workers in the Kimberley. Premier Mark McGowan has urged Western Australians to stay at home over Easter. Police will patrol Perth beaches over the long weekend.

Fini Group has lodged a development application to build a new $200 million medical and commercial precinct at Murdoch, highlighted by the state's first medihotel, but the project is at least a year behind its original schedule.

The federal government's $130 billion wage subsidy package clears its first hurdle, Western Australia records an additional 11 cases of COVID-19, and Premier Mark McGowan pledges millions to expand the state's police force.

WA has recorded two new coronavirus deaths. The federal government has announced a new mandatory code of conduct for landlords. Its $130 billion JobKeeper scheme is expected to pass parliament tomorrow.

WA confirms seven new COVID-19 cases and records its fourth death. The Westin Perth hotel will be used to quarantine health care workers. WA gains $5.5 million in PPE equipment. New rules have been announced to help charities.

Health Minister Roger Cook said testing criteria for COVID-19 would expand as of tomorrow, 28 new cases in WA overnight; Premier Mark McGowan aired his grievances with the Artania cruise ship, and Andrew Forrest pledged $160 million towards procuring medical supplies and increasing testing in WA.

Andrew and Nicola Forrest's Minderoo Foundation is flying in tonnes of medical supplies from China and increasing Western Australia's capacity to test for COVID-19, as part of a rescue package announced today.

The state government has announced new deregulated COVID-19 testing laws and a $1 billion economic health system stimulus package, while Health Minister Roger Cook revealed nine new coronavirus cases.

The state government has unveiled $184 million in initiatives to boost crisis support and provide rent relief for small businesses and not-for-profit groups impacted by COVID-19, while the City of Perth has also announced a rent-free period for tenants in city-owned buildings.

UPDATED: Woodside Petroleum has dropped plans for a 14-week fly-in, fly-out roster after presenting the option to its staff, opting instead for a less radical change as the oil and gas giant, along with mining companies, seeks to reduce the amount of travel to its remote sites.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces further restrictions for international arrivals, Health Minister Roger Cook confirms 24 new cases of COVID-19 in Western Australia, Premier Mark McGowan announces a ban on regional travel, and Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston proposes new rules to help mineral exploration companies.

Roger Cook has confirmed 231 COVID-19 cases in WA. The state government will fund $3 million to coronavirus-related research. There will be easier access to some prescription medicines. New maternity hospital will be deferred.

800 cruise ship passengers to be quarantined at Rottnest. WA's COVID-19 cases rise by 30 to 205. Premier Mark McGowan introduces alcohol sale restrictions. Australia's COVID-19 cases rise by 287 to 2,423.

Mark McGowan says regional WA travel restrictions will soon be announced, foreshadows beach closures. Optus Stadium converted to emergency headquarters for WA police. WA's confirmed COVID-19 cases grew by 35 to 175.

The state government is considering broadening COVID-19 testing criteria as the number of confirmed cases jumped by 20 in Western Australia overnight, with Premier Mark McGowan admonishing those not adhering to social distancing guidelines.

A dedicated call centre has been established for Western Australian public healthcare workers to manage coronavirus screening and testing.

Concerns over coronavirus have led to the cancellation of several sporting, cultural and business events but most organisations are planning to proceed with scheduled activities.

OPINION: The McGowan government has made a big call to put jobs at a major Perth hospital on the public payroll.

A Perth Glory soccer game planned for next Wednesday has been postponed, while the state government has announced it would open three clinics at metropolitan hospitals tomorrow to test for coronavirus, as the epidemic escalates with WA's sixth case confirmed today.

Australia will ban travellers from South Korea and introduce enhanced screening for travellers from Italy to deal with the coronavirus spread.

OPINION: The Corruption and Crime Commission has experienced highs and lows since being established with draconian powers in 2004 by the Gallop Labor government to root out poor practices in the public sector.

Rio Tinto has purchased a third jet for Western Australia's aeromedical fleet, as part of a six-year partnership extension with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS).

This year's Most Influential feature has been narrowed down to the 50 people in WA making the biggest impact in business and politics.

The state government has appointed an industry reference group to develop a growth plan for WA's health and medical life sciences sector to be chaired by Peter Klinken.

The full impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak has begun to weigh on the Australian economy, with aviation, commodities and education absorbing the worst of the shock.

Representatives from Western Australia's education and tourism sectors have expressed cautious optimism the state's institutions are well placed to ride out the effects of the current novel coronavirus outbreak, as the state government pledges $2.9 million in extra funding to aid in combatting the impact it will have on WA's tourism sector.

United Way WA, Barking Gecko Theatre and Co3 Australia are among the beneficiaries of $2.1 million of donations from Healthway and Lotterywest to aid companies in executing public health and wellbeing programs.