Kimberley and Pilbara local news briefing, Friday, September 25, 2026 - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Here's what's making news in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions today.

A former Labor MP says solutions put forward by Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski to safeguard vulnerable children in the state's north echo previous plans that have also failed.

The minister wrapped up a second visit to Port Hedland on Thursday after reports indicating up to 15 children had been left unsupervised in a South Hedland home sparked a political firestorm.

Former member for the Pilbara, Larry Graham, said the measures announced this week did not address the root cause of the crisis and were "band-aid solutions".

The Shire of Broome says it will continue collecting discarded needles from public areas throughout this year and next.

The collection service is funded through the Mental Health Commission in response to community concerns.

Shire President Chris Mitchell said the program had made the community safer and gave the shire a practical way to respond when concerns were raised.

He said about 13,000 needles had been collected in the past year alone, reducing "a considerable risk off the streets".

An Exmouth business owner says his application for a small business cyclone recovery grant has been rejected twice despite meeting the eligibility criteria.

The grant was initiated after Cyclone Narelle, which caused significant damage in the area in March.

Art gallery director Jess Hadden said his shop was damaged, along with many others.

He said only a handful of businesses had received funding, and "pretty much everyone else has the same scenario" and has given up.