Month: August 2025

Source: New South Wales – News

About 1.45am Thursday 14 August, police responded to a George Street café following reports of an alarm activation and CCTV capturing a suspect inside the premises removing the cash till.

Police quickly established a cordon around the café before moving inside where they located a male suspect. As patrols approached, it will be alleged that the man threw a hammer at an officer, narrowly missing them, before he fled on foot. Police gave chase and the man was swiftly arrested.

A rear door to the café was found damaged which police will allege the suspect used to gain entry to the premises. Crime Scene Investigators will attend to examine the scene this morning.

The 45-year-old man from Adelaide was charged with serious criminal trespass, assaulting a prescribed emergency worker and hindering police. He was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court later today.

Police located the suspect’s vehicle nearby the scene which appeared to contain a large amount of copper wire. The car was seized for further examination.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Source: Mental Health Australia

The NSW Government is strengthening its commitment to building a safer, more connected NSW by rolling out cutting-edge level crossing safety technology at a site near Quirindi. 

The regional crossing was once marked by tragedy but is now the site of innovation, with the NSW Government launching the state’s first trial of a cutting-edge safety system that could help prevent future fatalities. 

The $1.2 million trial of the Rail Active Crossing System (RAXS) has been activated at Callaghans Lane, with lights flashing from today.   

The modular, solar-powered system uses wireless train detection to trigger flashing lights, bells, and clear warning signs, converting a passive crossing into a fully active one. 

The technology has been purpose-built for regional and remote areas, where traditional infrastructure may not be feasible, but the risks are real and often deadly. 

The RAXS trial is a joint initiative of Transport for NSW, the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and Rail Safety Systems, with funding from the NSW Government ($715,000) and the Australian Government ($500,000) through the Regional Australia Level Crossing Safety Program. 

The technology was installed in July and activated after rigorous safety testing. 

The trial runs through to mid-2026, with monitoring in place to assess how motorists interact with the new system. 

Importantly, the installed cameras will not be used for enforcement and will be removed at the end of the trial. 

The announcement coincides with National Rail Safety Week, a time to reflect on the more than 4,500 rail workers who have lost their life at work since the 1850s, and to reaffirm the need to protect all those who use and work around the rail network. 

With more than 2,700 level crossings across NSW, and more than 850 passively controlled in regional areas, the NSW Government is taking action to help road and rail users get home safely. 

Read the full media release here (PDF, 244.6 KB)

Source: New South Wales – News

Police have responded to an incident at Lonsdale where a person was struck by a train.

Just before 5.30pm Wednesday 13 August, police and emergency services were called to Lonsdale Train Station after reports a person was struck by a train.

The train station is closed and metro trains are suspended.

For train information please see https://www.adelaidemetro.com.au/

Source: New South Wales – News

Emergency services were called to Pompoota Landing Road at 2.20pm ,sadly a contractor, a 41-year-old man from Jervois, was found deceased at the scene.

Safework SA has been advised of the incident.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Source: New South Wales – News

About 2pm Wednesday 13 August, police and emergency services were called to the intersection of Carpenter Rocks Road and Dixons Road, about 20 km west of Mount Gambier for reports of a crash between a Holden Sedan and a Toyota Ute

Sadly, the driver of a Holden sedan, a 94-year-old local woman died at the scene.

The driver of a Toyota Ute, a 20-year-old woman from Mount Gambier, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to hospital for assessment.

Major Crash investigators are making their way to the scene.

Road closures are in place on Carpenter Rock Road and road users are asked to avoid the area.

The woman’s death is the 50th life lost on South Australian roads this year.

Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

1 Commonwealth, State and Territory Trade and Investment Ministers met on the lands of the Larrakia people at Parliament House in Darwin, Northern Territory on 13 August 2025 for the fifth meeting of the Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment.

2 Amid challenges in the global trading landscape, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the open, rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. They acknowledged stable and transparent international trade and foreign investment are critical for delivering economic security and prosperity for Australia and its economic partners. They reaffirmed that safeguarding this required a whole-of-nation effort. 

3 Ministers acknowledged the importance of Australia’s leadership in multilateral and regional trade forums in upholding the rules, norms and standards which underpin global trade, including commitment to continuing efforts to strengthen and reform the WTO, and to drive sustainable trade and resilient growth as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) this year.

4 In the face of global trade uncertainty, Ministers acknowledged tariffs harm domestic economic competitiveness and are a recipe for slower growth and higher inflation. They reaffirmed their support for implementation of the Australian Government’s five-point plan to drive efforts to expand market reach and enhance resilience:

a) strengthen Australia’s anti-dumping regime;

b) provide $50 million to affected sectors, particularly through peak bodies;

c) establish a new Economic Resilience Program through Australia’s National Reconstruction Fund;

d) prioritise Australian-made products; and

e) establish a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve.

5 Ministers welcomed progress in developing stronger and more diverse trade partnerships for all Australians, including:

a) entry-into-force later this year of the Australia-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA);

b) discussions towards concluding a Australia-European Union free trade agreement including commercially meaningful market access for Australian agriculture;

c) discussions towards concluding a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India;

d) review of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA);

e) entry-into-force in April of the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA);

f) review of Australia’s bilateral FTAs in Southeast Asia to identify priorities for utilisation, modernisation and potential upgrade negotiations and the general review of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership (IA-CEPA); and

g) review of the CPTPP and progressing Costa Rica’s accession to the Agreement.

6 Ministers also welcomed the new Roadmap for Australia’s Economic Engagement with India and committed to enhancing coordination and cooperation of Commonwealth, State and Territory trade and economic efforts to promote Australian goods and services in India.

7 Ministers recognised the early outcomes flowing from implementation of key initiatives under Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040 and the contribution all States and Territories can make to boosting two-way trade and investment with Southeast Asia.

8 Ministers welcomed participation from all jurisdictions at the World Expo 2025 Osaka.   

9 Ministers confirmed the outcomes of coordinated initiatives on national trade and investment including:

a) a calendar of Team Australia events in 2025-26 that align with shared priorities and represent a mix of trade and investment promotion activities;

b) release of the National Statement on First Nations Trade and Investment by endorsing jurisdictions; and

c) continuation of a data project providing States and Territories with new information on businesses engaged in goods exports in their jurisdictions. 

10 Ministers’ tour of key sites across Darwin Harbour, including the Ship Lift Project, Marine Industry Park and Middle Arm Precinct, highlighted how government and industry are working together to deliver strategic infrastructure, strengthen sovereign capabilities, and position the Northern Territory as a hub for sustainable growth and investment. 

11 Ministers looked forward to meeting again in six months to review progress and future priorities.

Ministerial Attendees

• Australian Government (Chair) Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State
• Northern Territory (Co-host): the Hon Robyn Cahill OAM, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations; Minister for International Education, Migration and Population; Minister for Workforce Development; Minister for Advanced Manufacturing; Minister for Children and Families; Minister for Child Protection; Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence
• Australian Capital Territory: Mr Andrew Barr MLA, Chief Minister; Minister for Economic Development; and Minister for Tourism and Trade
• New South Wales: the Hon Anoulack Chanthivong, Minister for Industry and Trade; Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading; Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology; Minister for Building; and Minister for Corrections
• Queensland: the Hon Ros Bates MP, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
• South Australia: the Hon Joe Szakacs MP, Minister for Trade and Investment; Minister for Local Government; and Minister for Veterans Affairs
• Victoria: the Hon Danny Pearson, Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs; and Minister for Finance
• Western Australia: Mr Daniel Pastorelli MLA, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier; Minister for State Development; Trade and Investment; Economic Diversification; Parliamentary Secretary of the Cabinet
• Tasmania: John Perry, Coordinator-General, Office of the Coordinator-General attended on behalf of the Hon Guy Barnett, Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs, and the Hon Felix Ellis, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

In brief:

• Construction has begun on 57 new social housing apartments in the Gungahlin area.
• These will offer safe, secure housing to vulnerable Canberrans.
• They are part of the ACT Government’s commitment to increasing housing for Canberrans.

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More Canberrans will soon have a safe, secure place to call home.

Construction has started on 57 new social housing apartments in the Gungahlin area.

Due for completion in early 2027, the development will provide quality housing for some of the community’s most vulnerable.

This project is being developed in partnership between the ACT and Australian Governments.

Convenient, connected and considered housing

The new development will offer easy access to facilities and services. These include:

• shops
• schools
• public transport
• open spaces
• sporting fields
• playgrounds
• pathways and trails.

There will be one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments.

Communal spaces and landscaping are designed to help residents meet and connect.

Accessibility is key, with 30 apartments easily adaptable to suit the needs of people with a disability.

Housing for today and into the future

The ACT Government is committed to building more social housing for Canberrans.

It has taken action to:

• release more land
• build more public and affordable housing
• partner with the Australian Government to build more social housing.

The Gungahlin development will be delivered under the Social Housing Accelerator (SHAP) and Housing Australia Future Fund Facility Round 2 (HAFFF).

Of the 57 dwellings in this Gungahlin development, 33 will be attributed to the territory’s commitment to delivering between 55 and 65 dwellings under the SHAP.

The remaining 24 dwellings will contribute towards the HAFFF commitment target of 85 homes.

Hindmarsh Construction Australia was awarded the construction contract through an open tender process.

Read more about increasing housing in the ACT on the ACT Government website.

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Source: Mental Health Australia

The 20th National Rail Safety Week is being marked with a solemn ceremony at the Australian Railway Monument in Werris Creek in northern NSW today. 

The ceremony will honour rail workers who have died in service to Australia’s rail network. 

More than 100 families, friends, and colleagues of those who have died, as well as representatives from across the rail industry, will hold a minute’s silence and lay wreaths next to the names that will be remembered forever. 

Each of the more than 4,500 names on the National Railway Monument at Werris Creek represents the loss of a railway worker since the 1850s. 

This year, four new names have been added to the walls of the monument. One of them was Troy Ernst, a freight train driver who died in an accident in December last year. 

The others are names of railway workers, one whose death dates back to early this century and two others from the 1920s and 30s. Their names have only just been added to the monument due to recent research by volunteers from the Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum. 

Hosted by NSW TrainLink and the TrackSAFE Foundation, the event is both a moment of reflection and a time for the rail industry to collectively commit to preventing future tragedies among Australia’s 165,000-strong rail workforce. 

Following the memorial event TrackSAFE is hosting a national webinar on mental health fitness in the rail industry. More information here. 

Read the full media release here (PDF, 206.82 KB)