Keane Bourke
Keane Bourke is a state political reporter at ABC News WA. He joined ABC News in 2019, working as a multi-platform reporter and photojournalist, and was awarded the Eaves-Prior-Day Prize for New Journalist at the 2022 MEAA WA Media Awards. Before joining the ABC he worked as a professional photographer and in communications and marketing.
Latest by Keane Bourke
Children held in adult prison swelter through Perth heatwave without air conditioning in cells
Some of Western Australia's most vulnerable teenagers are sweltering through Perth's heatwave without air conditioning in a converted adult prison unit.
'Turn your cameras off and bash me': CCTV gives confronting insight into WA's youth detention
A 17-year-old who repeatedly assaulted jail staff after being unlawfully locked in his cell for 24-hour periods had not received adequate care from the justice system, a judge finds as he is jailed for a further 12 months.
Analysis
analysis:‘No silver bullet’: WA Premier admits few options available to relieve cost-of-living pressure
Since taking office last year, Roger Cook has changed the government's approach to youth justice, but he'll need to show he can also help ease cost-of-living pressures if he's to convince voters, writes Keane Bourke.
Roger Cook's stance on youth justice is markedly different from Mark McGowan's — he says it's about doing 'what's right'
Since becoming WA premier last year, Roger Cook has made youth justice a key part of his leadership, telling ABC state political reporter Keane Bourke the issue is too important to politicise.
Analysis
analysis:Can Basil Zempilas's star power help restore balance to WA politics?
He's one of the few West Australians most would recognise from his first name alone, thanks to a career spanning TV, radio and print — and now Basil Zempilas is throwing his hat in the political ring.
'You know there's a camera up there?': CCTV assault on handcuffed teen reveals youth justice problems
Confronting CCTV has captured a prison guard assaulting a handcuffed, 16-year-old inside a notorious youth jail in Perth.
Analysis
analysis:Is a political stoush between Zempilas and Carey getting in the way of helping vulnerable women?
The longer the Safe Night Space saga drags on, the longer some of the state's most vulnerable women will have one less safe place to shelter, writes state political reporter Keane Bourke.
Vulnerable women caught in ongoing safe space stalemate between WA government and City of Perth
The state government officially rejects a City of Perth-backed solution to reopen a critical overnight shelter which closed last year, prolonging a stalemate directly affecting vulnerable women.
Analysis
analysis:WA's housing crisis seems immune to efforts to fix it. This is why
The WA government's numerous announcements to help ease the housing crisis are yet to make a meaningful difference. State political reporter Keane Bourke explains what needs to happen to fix the problem.
Nurses and midwives reluctantly accept WA government pay deal
WA's nurses and midwives reluctantly conclude their long-running battle with the state government over pay and conditions, with union members voting to accept one of two offers put to them.
Analysis
analysis:After a tumultuous year in 2023, WA politics in 2024 looks set to be even bigger and busier
Every major WA political party changed its leader this year — so can we expect more tumultuous times in 2024? State political reporter Keane Bourke looks into his crystal ball to see what lies ahead.
Prison guard found guilty, fined $5,000 over assault on boy during 'code red' riot
A Casuarina Prison guard is found guilty of assaulting a juvenile detainee during a riot in the notorious Unit 18 in Perth's south last year.
Analysis
analysis:WA is set for another huge surplus buoyed by iron ore prices, but not everyone is feeling the effects
With this year's now $3.7 billion surplus suggesting impressive budget figures are becoming the norm rather than a surprise, there are loud calls for the money to be used to help people doing it tough, writes state political reporter Keane Bourke.
Budget explained: Everything you need to know about WA's mid-year budget review
WA continues to be flush with cash, with the resources rich state expecting a $3.7 billion windfall surplus off the back of higher than forecast iron ore prices. State political reporter Keane Bourke explains.
FMG settles dispute over sexual harassment documents, pledges to improve culture among executives
One of Australia's largest mining companies settles a dispute with WA's workplace safety regulator over whether it had to hand over documents relating to sexual harassment at three of its mine sites.
No more equal pay rises for WA public sector workers as individual union negotiations return
Premier Roger Cook says moving away from all public sector workers being offered the same pay rises will deliver greater flexibility in the bargaining process.
Greenpeace accuses Woodside of 'burying the truth' on climate action, takes company to court
The activist organisation launches proceedings in the Federal Court accusing Woodside of misrepresenting its climate performance.
'Who is going to help?' Uncertainty for women seeking refuge as authorities split on solution
A fortnight after the closure of the Safe Night Space in Perth, the City of Perth and the state government are offering differing solutions.
Analysis
analysis:He’s the long-serving bureaucrat responsible for a problem-plagued system. What’s ahead for his successor?
Justice Department head Adam Tomison has faced much criticism in his role, and leaves a myriad of unresolved problems for his yet-to-be named successor, WA state political reporter Keane Bourke writes.
Director of WA's problem-plagued justice department resigns, after seven years in the top job
The Director General of WA's problem-plagued Department of Justice, Adam Tomison, resigns after years of controversy.
Basil Zempilas puts pressure on government to fund new $3.1m women's refuge, amid political spat
Perth's Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas puts forward a solution to re-open a safe women's refuge by Christmas, but it requires $3.1 million of state government funding.
Here's everything you need to know about WA's cabinet reshuffle
Hannah Beazley — the daughter of Labor giant Kim Beazley — is confirmed as WA's newest minister as Premier Roger Cook unveils his new look cabinet.
Analysis
analysis:Cottesloe challenge may be a sign of things to come for the WA Liberals as they rebuild from crushing defeat
With news there is a fresh challenger to the Liberal Party's safest WA seat, state political reporter Keane Bourke examines how much ground the party has made up on Labor — and how much work they still have to do.
Woodside overcomes legal challenges to win approval for seismic testing off Pilbara coast
Woodside wins approval to carry out seismic testing for its massive Scarborough project off the Pilbara coast after an earlier approval was ruled invalid by the Federal Court.
Analysis
analysis:Why the WA government's purpose-built youth detention facility is not the silver bullet they hope it will be
The uncomfortable truth is that replacing the trouble-plagued Unit 18 with a new facility won't in isolation improve the conditions of young people in detention, writes state political reporter Keane Bourke.