Month: September 2025

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has increased the reward to $500 000 for multiple long-term missing persons and unsolved cases across the Territory.

Norman James Lawson was 16-years-old at the time of his disappearance and was last seen on either Tuesday 21 October or Wednesday 22 October 1986. He disappeared after camping with four associates in Kakadu near the South Alligator Crossing of Old Jim Jim Road.

On the morning of his disappearance Norman was seen near the river fishing before walking along the road in the direction of the Bark Hunt Inn. His possessions remained at the campsite.

Kwementyaye Nelson, on the evening of 28 November 2014, was dropped off by family members on the side of the Stuart Highway, approximately 17 kilometres north of the Three Ways Roadhouse. The following day on 29 November 2014, his family returned to the location and found his body next to the Stuart Highway approximately 12 kilometres north of the roadhouse.

He died from injuries consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle.

This announcement comes after the increased rewards for Peter Falconio and Richard Roe.

Peter Falconio, 28-years-old, was last seen alive on 14 July 2001. Peter was driving with his partner Joanne Lees on the Stuart Highway, approximately 10 kilometres north of Barrow Creek when he was murdered by Bradley Murdoch. Bradley Murdoch later disposed of his body at an unknown location.

Richard Ken Roe was 40-years-old at the time of his disappearance and was last seen on 2 November 2016.

Richard’s vehicle, a 2004 Holden Commodore station wagon, was later found abandoned just south of Chinner Road on the Stuart Highway near Lake Bennett. No one has seen or heard from him, nor has he accessed his bank accounts. 

To date, police have little information on what happened to Richard but hold serious concerns that he met with foul play.

Police believe there are individuals who have information that could assist with these investigations.

Acting Commander Drew Slape said, “All of these men have left behind loved ones, family and friends, whose lives have never been the same. They deserve answers.

“The increase in these rewards will hopefully bring people forward with information that will assist detectives in these investigations. No piece of information is too small, if you know anything please come forward.

“The NTPF do not close death investigations without a resolution, and we will continue to investigate until we know what has happened to each of these individuals.

“If you have any information that may assist with these investigations, please contact police on 131 444 or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Injuries prove fatal in Spreyton crash

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 – 3:43 pm.

Sadly, a 75-year-old man has died as a result of injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash at Sheffield Road, Spreyton, on Tuesday.
The man, from Tasmania’s North-West, was injured in a head-on collision involving his black Holden Commodore and a white Nissan Navara about 4:10pm.
He was transferred to Launceston General Hospital on Tuesday afternoon in a critical condition, but died overnight.
The 62-year-old male driver of the second vehicle, also from the North-West, received serious injuries in the crash and remains in Launceston General Hospital for treatment.
There were no passengers in either vehicle and no other people were injured as a result of the collision.
Sheffield Road at Spreyton was closed for several hours while emergency crews and traffic crash investigators worked at the scene.
Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the two men.
Police investigations are continuing and anyone with information, or dash-cam or CCTV footage of the incident, is asked to contact police on 131 444.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Source: Mental Health Australia

Two new bridges built for the Singleton bypass are already delivering a benefit to the community by providing an alternate route for large haulage trucks working on the project, helping minimise heavy vehicle movements through the town centre.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

16/09/25

Source:

In a powerful display of teamwork and preparedness, CFA Falls Creek Fire Brigade recently joined forces with CFA Mt Beauty Fire & Rescue Brigade, Ambulance Victoria, and 4Site (Falls Creek’s village transport company) for a joint training session at the Falls Creek Alpine Resort.

As the primary emergency response agency at Falls Creek, CFA plays a crucial role in protecting both the local community and the thousands of visitors who flock to the resort each snow season.

With record numbers this year, the training focused on enhancing the Falls Creek volunteers’ ability to secure and manage emergency scenes, especially given the resort’s remote location, extreme conditions, and long travel times. 

Falls Creek Winter Commander Paul Summons explained the complexities of working in the enviornment. 

“There are several complexities in the snow fields in addition to structural fires and false alarms,” he said.

“CFA firefighters must contend with blizzard conditions, 100km per hour winds, blinding snow, below-zero temperatures and steep terrain and then you have the rescues.”

During winter, the Alpine Village is closed to regular traffic, with over snow vehicles ferrying skiers and supplies.

This creates unique challenges for emergency responders, who often must carry equipment hundreds of metres uphill to reach an incident site.

For CFA Mt Beauty Fire and Rescue Brigade, the training offered a rare opportunity to operate tracked vehicles.

The joint exercise gave all participants a deeper understanding of inter-agency collaboration, the importance of regularly testing equipment, and the value of sharing knowledge across disciplines.

It also reinforced the critical role each organisation plays in keeping Falls Creek safe.

This training was more than just a drill. It was a reminder that in the snowfields, preparedness is everything and that when agencies work together, the whole community benefits.

 Photographs supplied by Falls Creek Winter Commander Paul Summons 

Source: Straight from the source – August 2025

AREEA says BHP cuts prove government’s punitive taxes risk destroying jobs and investment

The Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association (AREEA) is unsurprised that BHP has today confirmed 750 job cuts across its Bowen Basin operations, having long warned Queensland’s coal royalty regime was unsustainable.

AREEA’s 2024 Resources and Energy Workforce Forecast report last year predicted investment and jobs in Queensland’s mining sector would suffer due to the impacts of the previous government’s coal royalty hike.

The Association’s 2025 report – due for release in coming weeks – will show the future health of the Queensland mining sector will largely depend upon the current government shoring up investor confidence and ensuring new coal projects in its development pipeline go ahead.

“750 job losses is a significant enough tragedy. But the impact this will have on the Dysart community – which caters for coal mining, cattle grazing and other agriculture – will be enormous,” AREEA Chief Executive Steve Knott AM, said.

“This is not just about one company. Coal mining sustains tens of thousands of direct jobs and many more indirect jobs in small businesses across regional Queensland. It funds schools, hospitals, police, roads and services.

“Every Queenslander benefits from a strong coal sector.

“We recognise the Crisafulli Government inherited this coal royalty regime, but if it does nothing and the coal sector collapses, there will be no revenue to fund essential programs, and those regional communities reliant on mining operations will be gutted.

“Unless urgent action is taken to reset the royalty system to competitive, sustainable levels, more mines will close, more jobs will go, and the economic foundations of Queensland will be permanently weakened.”

Mr Knott said the Queensland Government now faces a critical choice: act to restore competitiveness or preside over the decline of the state’s most important industry.

“Instead of protecting and strengthening this industry, the current coal royalty regime is actively undermining it,” he said.

“These punitive taxes are now seeing global investors walk away from Queensland, which has long been one of the most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world.”

Click here for a PDF copy of this release, including media contact details.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Albanese Government is investing $1.1 billion to help unlock the vast economic opportunities on offer from low carbon liquid fuels.

This is all about helping to maximise the economic and industrial benefits of the shift to clean energy and net zero.

This investment will help ensure we have strong supply chains for the more sustainable fuels that can power our trucks, cargo ships and planes into the future.

The new ten‑year Cleaner Fuels Program will stimulate private investment in Australian onshore production of low carbon liquid fuels, such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

The first production of ‘drop‑in’ cleaner fuels, which can be directly substituted for existing fuels and work in today’s engines, is estimated by 2029.

Australia has the ingredients needed to make cleaner liquid alternatives to fossil fuels, with ready access to feedstocks like canola, sorghum, sugar and waste.

Thanks to our advanced farming practices and access to cheap and reliable renewable energy, Australia is in an enviable position to produce cleaner, low carbon liquid fuels that jets, ships, construction machines and heavy trucks need to reach net zero.

Liquid fuels make up around half of Australia’s national energy use. Replacing those fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives would deliver a massive climate and economic opportunity.

Australia already exports nearly $4 billion of suitable feedstocks like canola and tallow. But the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) estimates an Australian low carbon liquid fuel industry could be worth $36 billion by 2050 – highlighting the untapped potential of developing local refining and value‑adding capability.

Funding to make cleaner fuel on Australian shores, from Australian feedstock will help back Australian innovators from the farmer to the fuel bowser, make our fuel supply greener and more resilient and make low carbon fuels available for early adopters.

Details about eligibility will be considered through public consultation and design work to take place this financial year. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process to ensure we get value for taxpayer funds.

The new production‑linked incentive builds on the Government’s support through the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Funding Initiative and the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund. Recipients will also need to deliver benefits according to the community benefit principles under the Future Made in Australia Act.

The Government is also supporting the market by expanding the Guarantee of Origin Scheme to include low carbon liquid fuels and has established a fuel quality standard for renewable diesel.

A recent report from the CEFC found that a mature Australian low carbon liquid fuels industry could deliver around 230 million tonnes CO2‑e in cumulative emissions reduction by 2050. This is equivalent to 2.3 times Australia’s current annual transport emissions, or the annual emissions from 86 million cars.

Quotes attributable to the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers MP

“Low carbon liquid fuels are an enormous economic opportunity for Australia.

“It’s about making Australians and our economy big beneficiaries of the global net zero transformation.

“Developing this industry has potential to make us an indispensable part of growing global net zero supply chains.

“This is a downpayment on developing an entirely new industry in Australia.

“From the farm to the refinery, from primary production to processing, this will create more jobs and more opportunities for Australian workers and businesses.

“It’s another way we’re helping Australians grasp the big benefits on offer in the transformation to cleaner and cheaper energy – to help lift wages, grow living standards, create jobs and grow our economy.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen MP

“Making cleaner fuels here, from Australian feedstocks, creates the path for emissions reduction in sectors that are hardest to clean up, like plane travel and construction machines.

“Across the nation we have 2 billion litres worth of projects in the pipeline, many of which are ready to scale up production. A new thriving domestic industry with more jobs in our regions, from farmers growing the inputs to workers refining the fuels of the future is within our reach.

“$1.1 billion for low carbon liquid fuels production here in Australia builds on the $250 million we have already allocated to low carbon liquid fuels research and development through the Future Made in Australia Innovation Fund.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Murray Watt

“As demand for air travel grows, and more goods are moved by road and rail, it’s essential we invest in future fuels that allow us to facilitate this increasing demand while meeting our net‑zero targets.

“Low carbon fuels have the potential to be a $36 billion industry here in Australia, and we have the opportunity to lead the way on the production of these new fuels.

“We have the renewable feedstocks, access to clean energy and a strong agriculture base, all of which will allow us to develop this new industry, create new jobs and power how Australians move for decades to come.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP

“We’re committed to unlocking more opportunities to harness our feedstocks, which is why this investment is great news for our farmers and our regional communities.

“Producing more low carbon liquid fuels right here in Australia won’t just benefit our fuel security and emissions reduction, it will support Australian farmers, foresters and our regions.

“Our farmers and foresters have always been innovators and our Government is putting their expertise and world‑class production practices at the centre of growing Australia’s low carbon liquid fuel industry.

“This investment will complement our National Bioenergy Feedstock Strategy – which we are developing so our agricultural sector can seize the economic opportunities that come with feedstocks.”

Source: Murray Darling Basin Authority

Graduate rates of employment are strong, employers are reporting high levels of satisfaction with the skills of graduates and students’ satisfaction with their university experience has improved since the pandemic .

That’s the story from three encouraging reports the Government has released today – the Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal, the Student Experience Survey, and the Employer Satisfaction Survey.

2024 Employer Satisfaction Survey

Overall employer satisfaction, which is the proportion of employers who would employ another graduate from the same course and institution, has increased to 85.5 per cent from 83.7 per cent, the highest recorded since this survey started in 2016.

The survey asks employers to rate their satisfaction across five areas: foundation skills, adaptive skills, collaborative skills, technical skills and employability skills. Employer satisfaction increased in all five areas in 2024.

2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey – Longitudinal

2024 graduate full-time employment rates are strong sitting at 91 per cent, three years after graduation for undergraduates.

While there was a softening between 2023 and 2024 in line with the broader labour market, full-time employment remains higher than pre-pandemic.

2024 Student Experience Survey National Report 

Student ratings of their experiences at universities have improved after falling away during COVD.

The undergraduate rating of their overall educational experience was similar to last year, above COVID lows, but hasn’t fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. 

Post graduate coursework ratings have improved and now exceed pre-pandemic levels in all five focus areas of the survey: skills development, peer engagement, teaching quality and engagement, student support and services and learning resources.

While the overall trajectory of students’ experience is encouraging, more work needs to be done. The report shows students with disability rate their experience lower than other students, particularly when it comes to peer engagement and student support and services.

The reports are available at the QILT website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:

“These reports are encouraging. They show graduate employment rates are strong, and student experiences at university are improving after the massive disruption of COVID.

“There is more to do.

“Work is underway on how to break down the barriers between TAFE and university and create a more joined-up tertiary education system.

“Next month Education Ministers will consider reforms to improve university governance.

“Next year needs-based funding will start to better support students at universities from disadvantaged backgrounds and from regional Australia and the bush.”
 

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Retail Crime Information Session Brings Together Tasmanian Retailers

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 – 12:41 pm.

Retailers from across Tasmania came together today for a statewide Retail Crime Information Session, hosted by Tasmania Police and the City of Hobart, to explore strategies for improving safety in retail environments.
Inspector John Toohey from Hobart Police said the session provided a valuable opportunity for police, council representatives, and retailers to share insights and strengthen partnerships aimed at preventing retail crime.
“Unlike the previous session held in April which focused specifically on Hobart, today’s information session was open to all retailers across the state,” Inspector Toohey said.
“The agenda covered key topics including current trends in retail crime, preventative measures and threats in retail environments, de-escalation techniques and conflict management, personal safety strategies such as ‘Escape, Hide, Tell’, and the importance of timely incident reporting.”
“For retailers, simple steps like improving store visibility, installing quality CCTV, engaging with customers, and restricting access to sensitive areas can make a significant difference.”
“If a crime does occur, reporting it promptly allows police to respond effectively.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the council remains committed to supporting a safe and vibrant retail sector.
“Today’s session reinforced the importance of ongoing collaboration between local government, law enforcement, and retailers to address the challenges of retail crime,” she said.
Retailer Kelly Rollins highlighted the impact of retail crime on both business operations and community wellbeing.
“Sessions like this are essential for sharing practical knowledge and developing real-world solutions to keep staff and customers safe,” Ms Rollins said.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Job ads down 4.2% nationally in August 2025

Michael Giampietro

Wed, 2025-09-17 10:52