Paul Papalia

Paul Papalia has told state parliament he’s glad to see the federal government commit to building a dry dock in Henderson while disputing whether the project will actually cost $4.3 billion as reported.

From major contributor to non-starter, the Hopman Cup’s slide down the rankings has been dramatic.

Japan's defence minister is among key speakers slated to address a major defence and security conference at Optus Stadium in July.

Defence analysts, government bodies and political figures agree that WA needs a dry dock, but how the federal government builds one is less straightforward.

Western Australia's deputy police commissioner Col Blanch will lead the 6,800-strong force after being described as the "stand out" replacement for Chris Dawson.

The Road Safety Council will have a new chair in former Liberal MP Katie Hodson-Thomas.

A family heritage in policing runs deep for the outgoing commissioner as he readies to be WA's next governor.

Detectives have launched Operation Geonosis to hunt down a gunman behind the bikie-linked murder of a 34-year-old man.

Mark McGowan has backed basing more military personnel in WA as his government outlined plans to expand the state's defence industry workforce.

Direct flights between Tokyo and Perth will resume later this year after a three-year hiatus, with a potential to reinstate the route for daily service.

Ministers Rita Saffioti, Paul Papalia, Bill Johnston and Balcatta MP David Michael were the major movers as Roger Cook unveiled his refreshed cabinet at Dumas House this morning.

The state government will explore the need for additional juvenile detention facilities in Western Australia as part of a review into Banksia Hill.

Police will be able to seize and destroy alcohol on the spot and impose fines of up to $10,000 under the latest crackdown to stamp out problem drinking in WA’s North West.

A delegation of eight WA-based defence businesses will head to London this week to showcase their products on the world stage alongside Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia.

WA Police assistant commissioner Brad Royce has been revealed as Corrective Services commissioner at the Department of Justice following a rapid overhaul of the management structure.

Government and the private sector are pushing the case for WA’s defence capabilities to be better appreciated and utilised.

WA will team up with the world’s largest nuclear submarine manufacturer to support industry and workforce development, as it prepares for nuclear presence in Rockingham from 2027.

A heads of agreement anointing Henderson-based Austal as the nation’s strategic shipbuilder of choice in WA will guarantee the industry’s local future, according to the federal government.

A motion which could allow police officers to run at the 2025 state election will be debated by the WA Police Union this week, following a path set by the Australian Nursing Federation WA.

Department of Justice director general Adam Tomison has resigned from what Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia has described as a challenging role with many responsibilities.

The regional arm of UK defence firm Babcock has signaled its intent to assist the state government’s development and growth of a WA defence industry, as AUKUS deadlines draw closer.

Concerns over the delivery of infrastructure to accommodate nuclear submarines in Rockingham have re-emerged as the deadline for delivery draws nearer.

Tech collaborations are high on the list of those receiving R&D grants in WA, including across a wide spectrum of military needs.

Navy chiefs from the US, UK and Australia will meet in Perth in July as the 2027 deadline for nuclear submarines at Rockingham draws closer.

The state government says recent national data that suggests a fall in the number of defence industry businesses in Western Australia does not paint a true picture of the sector’s growth.

The Nationals WA have accused the state government of playing politics over gun laws, after reforms labelled the “strictest in the nation” were pushed through parliament today.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles has backed Australia’s preparation for any potential conflict in the years ahead, on the first morning of the largest defence gathering in state history.

The Western Australian government will team up with the Commonwealth’s submarine builder to support the sustainment of local submarine workforce capacity.

WA Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia has endorsed the thinking behind Gina Rinehart’s Pilbara ‘iron dome’ concept, as the state pushes for protection of its economic heartland.

Early work will begin on a $100 million-plus facility for high-risk-youth detainees in Canning Vale before the end of the year, according to Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia.

Western Australia is likely to lose one of two superyacht builders in the state, as the growing volume of defence work at Henderson squeezes existing industries.

Warship-scale deals could prove the catalyst to unlocking much-needed infrastructure on the Henderson waterfront.

An agreement between the state and federal governments will begin the process to develop a consolidated defence precinct at Henderson, with millions committed and billions of investment forecast.

ANALYSIS: Recent comments by Paul Papalia have taken on new meaning after a major announcement on Henderson's defence future.

Investment to the tune of $35 million in the state’s defence industry has led to around 1,000 opportunities for jobseekers to date, according to figures from a WA government report.

OPINION: A recent gala dinner celebrated the defence sector’s significant and ongoing contributions to WA.

A youth detention facility proposed at Banksia Hill to replace the controversial Unit 18 will cost more than $170 million, but an independent body has warned the bill could come in higher.

The state government has released a strategy for growth of the defence industry in Western Australia, as activity scales up in the sector in Perth’s southern suburbs.

A re-elected WA Labor government will spend $11 million to incentivise working in the state’s burgeoning defence industry to help fill the 10,000 jobs tipped to be created.

The state government has struck a memorandum of understanding with the world’s fifth-largest defence contractor, as it seeks to turbo-charge the growth of the industry in WA.