NGAARDA STATEWIDE NEWS MAY 18TH, 2026

Credit: Gold Fields Limited FB page

YINJDIBARNDI RESPONSE — Michael Woodley says the Federal Court’s 150-point-1 million dollar compensation ruling against Fortescue Metals Group recognises the cultural harm caused on Country but says the outcome remains unsatisfactory as the group reviews the judgment with lawyers.

KALGOORLIE BARBER SHOP SHUT UNDER ILLICIT TOBACCO CRACKDOWN — A Kalgoorlie barber shop has been shut for 90 days after police allegedly seized thousands of illicit cigarettes and kilos of loose tobacco during a raid under WA’s new tobacco crackdown laws.

MIDWEST RESIDENTS WARNED AMID MOUSE INFESTATION — WA Health is warning Midwest residents to wear gloves, masks and enclosed shoes when handling dead mice as a major infestation spreads through communities including Moraw

WANGKATJA TJUNGULA PEOPLE SIGN NATIVE TITLE AGREEMENT — The Nyabinkulu people have signed a native title agreement with Saturn Metals over the Apollo Hill gold project near Cue, including cultural heritage protections, jobs and future royalty payments.

AGED CARE BUDGET CONCERNS — Juniper CEO Rossel Bricknell says the federal budget has failed to meet growing demand for regional aged care services, warning older Australians could remain in hospital longer without more investment.

REMOTE COURTHOUSE CLOSURES — Lawyers in regional WA say plans to close 26 remote courthouses could make it harder for people in remote communities to access legal support and attend court closer to home.