Month: June 2025

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The NT Police Force responded to a pedestrian strike along Bagot Road last night.

About 8:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a female being struck by a vehicle in the outbound lanes of Bagot Road near Eaton.

The female was conscious and sustained serious injuries including a compound leg fracture and head injuries. St John Ambulance conveyed the female to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and tested negative to alcohol and drugs.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, particularly those who may have dash cam footage, are urged to contact police on 131 444. Please reference job number P25149310.

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

The first Suburban University Study Hub in Western Australia has opened to students this week at Ellenbrook, bringing university closer to where students live in the outer suburbs north of Perth.

Nearly half of young people in their 20s and 30s in Australia have a degree but not in the outer suburbs. In Ellenbrook, only around 13 per cent of young people have a degree.

The evidence shows that where Study Hubs are, university participation goes up.

This new Study Hub, located at the Ellenbrook Community Library, will provide student support and facilities for students who are studying a university or TAFE course without having to leave their community.

The new Ellenbrook University Study Hub is part of the Albanese Government’s $66.9 million investment to more than double the number of University Study Hubs across the country, from 34 to 69.

The Ellenbrook University Study Hub has close to 300 students already registered to study through various universities across Australia.

For more information: Suburban University Study Hubs – Department of Education, Australian Government

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“Almost one in two young people in their 20s and their 30s have a university degree today. But not everywhere. Not in our outer suburbs and not in regional Australia. 

“That’s why we are doubling the number of University Study Hubs, to bring university closer to them.

“We know they work. The evidence is they increase the number of people going to uni. 

“Now for the first time, we are putting these University Study Hubs in the outer suburbs.

“I know growing up in Western Sydney, a lot of my friends felt like university was somewhere else for someone else.

“I want this to change, and that means bringing university closer to where people live.”
 

Quotes attributable to Member for Hasluck, Tania Lawrence:

“Ellenbrook is a dynamic, growing community.

“Connectivity and flourishing community facilities make all the difference in people’s lives.

“This new Ellenbrook University Study Hub will play a vital part in removing barriers to participation in further education for people whose homes are some distance away from Perth’s main University and TAFE campuses; even with the newly opened Ellenbrook line.

“The Hub also provides a dedicated space for those who might not have a study space in their own homes, along with access to a support network close at hand while they are navigating higher education.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Death following Somerset crash on 27 May

Tuesday, 3 June 2025 – 3:00 pm.

Sadly, police can confirm a 78-year-old woman has died following a crash at Somerset on 27 May.
The woman was involved in a two-vehicle crash involving a Toyota Corolla hatch and a Ford F250 truck at the intersection of Wragg and Falmouth Streets.
At the time of the crash, the woman was the driver of the Toyota Corolla, and was subsequently transported to the North West Regional Hospital.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the crash.  
A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Police are continuing to investigate the crash. Anyone with information or dash cam is asked to contact Western Crash Investigation Services on 131 444 and quote reference ESCAD 199-27052025 and OR776030. 
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000. 

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The car limit for 2025–26 is $69,674 This is the highest value you can use to calculate depreciation on a car where: 

• you use the car for business purposes, and 
• you first use or lease the car in the 2025–26 income year. 

As a business owner, you can claim a tax deduction on expenses for motor vehicles you use for business purposes. 

If you’re using a motor vehicle for both business and private purposes, you can only claim a deduction for the business part. You must be able to show the percentage you claim as business use and have records to support your claim.  

Goods and services tax (GST)

If you’re buying a car and the price is more than the car limit, the most GST credit you can claim (except in certain circumstances) is one-eleventh of the car limit. For 2025–26, the most GST credit you can claim is $6,334 (that is, 1/11 × $69,674).

You need to claim GST credits within the 4-year time limit.

You can’t claim a GST credit for luxury car tax when you buy a luxury car. This is even if you use it for business purposes. 

Luxury car tax (LCT)

The LCT threshold for 2025–26 is: 

• $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles – In line with an increase to the motor vehicle purchase sub-group of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) 
• $80,567 for all other luxury vehicles – In line with an increase in the ‘All Groups’ CPI.  

From 1 July, the definition of a fuel-efficient vehicle will also change, affecting vehicles with a fuel consumption rate of 3.5 and 7 litres per 100km. The indexation rates applying to the thresholds for fuel-efficient vehicles and other vehicles will be aligned.

If you’re a dealer buying luxury cars under quote, you need to properly quote to meet your obligations.

For more information, visit Get your LCT right.

Source: South Australia Police

The Cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo offer their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Nick Trandos OAM JP, who has passed away, aged 90.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Reebelo Australia, an online marketplace for new and refurbished electronics, has paid $59,400 in penalties after the ACCC issued it with three infringement notices for allegedly making false representations about the effect of consumer guarantee rights in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

The infringement notices relate to statements made on Reebelo Australia’s website that purported to limit consumers’ ability to access their consumer guarantee rights by putting a 14-day time limit on:

• A consumer’s ability to receive a remedy for faulty or damaged goods,
• A consumer’s ability to receive a remedy for goods received that were not in a condition that matched the description of the purchased product, and
• A consumer’s ability to receive a remedy where they had received a different model of a product than what they had ordered.

“Under the Australian Consumer Law, consumers automatically have basic rights when buying products and services, known as consumer guarantees. These rights cannot be taken away by anything a business says or does,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“If a business fails to meet these guarantees, consumers have a right to a remedy if they return products that do not comply with consumer guarantees within a reasonable time, which may be more than 14 days. It is against the law for a business to mislead consumers about their right to a suitable remedy.”

The ACCC alleges that the representations made by Reebelo Australia were false and misleading as under the ACL consumers may be entitled to a remedy regardless of whether 14 days had passed since the product was received.

“Given the products that Reebelo Australia sells are often refurbished high-end electronic products such as laptops or mobile phones, we are concerned that consumers may have faced financial harm from this conduct,” Ms Lowe said.

The ACCC received a number of complaints from consumers who reported difficulties obtaining a remedy from Reebelo Australia for faulty or wrong products.

“The ACCC closely monitors the complaints we receive from consumers, and we will continue to take appropriate action against businesses who do not comply with the Australian Consumer Law.”

”We encourage all businesses, including online marketplace retailers, to review their polices to ensure they are complying with the law,” Ms Lowe said.

Separately, Reebelo Australia has agreed to several commitments as part of an administrative resolution, including amendments to its website, improvements to its online complaints handling processes, and various training and awareness measures to ensure future compliance with the ACL.

Background

Reebelo Australia operates as an online marketplace for new and refurbished products including phones and laptops, home appliances, power tools and health and beauty products. It is located in Sydney, NSW.

Reebelo Australia acts as an intermediary platform where third-party suppliers list products for sale on Reebelo Australia’s website.

Internationally, Reebelo was launched in Singapore in October 2019 with headquarters in California. The parent company is based in Singapore with offices in Australia, the United States, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Note to editors

The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened an infringement notice provision of the ACL.

The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the ACL. The ACL sets the penalty amount.

Source: New South Wales Ministerial News

The City of Greater Bendigo is delighted to unveil the artist and location for a new public statue to honour pioneering cricketer Barbara Rae, the top scorer at Australia’s first women’s cricket match held during the Bendigo Easter Fair in 1874.

The permanent statue will take pride of place at the entrance to Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO), a fitting tribute as Greater Bendigo’s premier sports stadium for cricket and football, and part of the Rosalind Park Precinct where the birthplace of women’s cricket occurred.

Lis Johnson, a central Victorian artist and one of Australia’s most respected figurative sculptors, has been commissioned to create the permanent sculpture to celebrate the trailblazing cricketer.

The artist has an impressive portfolio of crafting lifelike bronze figures. Her sculptures include the iconic Rod Laver statue at Rod Laver Arena, works at the Vietnam War Memorial, and the Avenue of Legends at the MCG. She is also known for celebrating the contributions of women and First Nations people through public art.

The inaugural women’s cricket match between the Blues and the Reds at the Bendigo Easter Fair in 1874 raised funds for the Bendigo Hospital and Benevolent Asylum. It marked a bold step forward for women in sport.

Primary school teacher Barbara Rae, who was 19, was pivotal in organising the inaugural match, recruiting players and enlisting coaches for training sessions at the local cricket grounds. Barbara captained the winning team and was top scorer.

The sculpture is expected to be installed later this year following the City’s successful submission to the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program. It was developed to support the recognition of women’s contributions through public art. Barbara Rae’s was the first of six funded public artworks announced earlier this year to address the under-representation of women and their achievements in public life.

Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said she was thrilled that Barbara Rae’s legacy was being celebrated in this way.

“Barbara Rae was a trailblazer who defied the social norms of her time. This sculpture not only honours her courage and leadership but also sends a powerful message to women, girls and anyone who doesn’t fit the stereotypical mould—that cricket, and sport more broadly, is for everyone,” Cr Metcalf said.

“Barbara’s public art will be only the second public statue in Australia commemorating a female cricketer. The QEO is the perfect location—our premier cricket and footy venue and part of the very precinct where Barbara made history.

“This sculpture will ensure her legacy continues to inspire future generations.

“The artwork is expected to be unveiled later this year marking a significant moment in both local history and the broader recognition of women in sport.”

Lis Johnson said the commission was very special.

“I’m especially happy in recent times to see the gender and diversity imbalance being addressed in commemorative public artworks, and to contribute to that,” Lis Johnson said.

“I want to capture Barbara Rae’s youthful confidence and determination and to faithfully sculpt her many-layered intricate period outfit. The bronze sculpture will portray her poise and determination in a moment of free-spirited celebration.

“I hope when people observe the Barbara Rae sculpture, they will see a renewed invitation to play, as if Barbara is saying ‘come on ladies, we can do this, ignore those ignorant critics, follow me – let’s play cricket!’.

“I look forward to seeing Barbara’s sculpture proudly displayed in front of the QEO, inspiring curiosity and discussion for many years to come.” 

Having created a maquette of the sculpture, Ms Johnson has used historical imagery to recreate the period cricket attire alongside leading costume designer Larry Edwards and is currently sculpting the full-sized piece in clay.

Once the mould is created, a cast will be made in museum grade silicon bronze, lasting up to 1000+ years.

The bronze statue will weigh 140kg and reach a height of 1900mm, set on a plinth sympathetic to the surrounding garden beds outside the QEO entrance gates. The statue will be unveiled in late 2025.