Month: April 2026

Source: Government of Western Australia

Local neighbourhoods will soon be greener, with our popular Wannagrow plant giveaway returning this May.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force can confirm a body has been located as part of the investigation into a missing 5-year-old girl.

The body is believed to be that of the young girl, and was found by police officers around 5km south of Old Timers Camp shortly before midday.

A formal autopsy will be scheduled to confirm the cause of death.

A coronial investigation will now begin.

The family have requested she now be referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby.

The Northern Territory Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole said, “This is devastating news not only for the immediate and extended family, but also the first responders, the Alice Springs community, and all those around Australia who have been worrying for this little girl.

“The support shown during this time has been overwhelming and this is the worst outcome.

“It is very important the Alice Springs community continues to support one another, and it is equally important that the police continue to do their job.

“Anyone who has any information about the whereabouts of Jefferson Lewis needs to contact police immediately on 131 444 or 000.”

Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

The below is a statement from Kumanjayi Little Baby’s Mum:

To Kumanjayi Little Baby,

Me and Ramsiah miss and love you.

I know you are in heaven with the rest of the family with Jesus and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Me and your brother will meet you one day.

We are giving our lives to Jesus.

It is going to be so hard to live the rest of our lives without you.

Ramsiah wants to tell you that when he sees you in heaven, he is going to give you the biggest hug ever.

Love from Mum and Ramsiah.

The family have also thanked all the volunteers who have helped with the search so far, everyone who has come from interstate, police, land councils, and everyone else that has turned up every day to look for Kumanjayi Little Baby. 

The family have requested the attached photo of Kumanjayi Little Baby be used in media reporting.  

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: On 14 December last year, our nation was shattered by an act which was evil. An antisemitic terrorist attack shook the nation. The deadliest terrorist attack that has ever occurred on Australian soil, targeting Jewish Australians on the first night of Chanukah at our iconic Bondi Beach. This should have been an occasion where every Australian could celebrate what is a victory of light over darkness. Instead, 15 innocent men, women and children were killed and many were wounded. Five months on from the attack, Australia’s Jewish community is still grieving, still hurting, still craving answers. And that’s why my government set up the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, led by the Honourable Virginia Bell. To help us understand what happened that day, to help us stamp out the hatred that drove the attackers and to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. Today the Government is pleased to receive Commissioner Bell’s Interim Report. And I thank the Commissioner for the extraordinary work that she and her team have done. And I thank also those who participated and made submissions and will continue to do so, given they are still open for a short period ahead. Commissioner Bell has found that our existing legal and regulatory frameworks did not hinder our agencies in preventing or responding to the Bondi attack, and that no urgent changes are required to keep Australians safe. But the Commissioner does make 14 recommendations which go to enhancing our national counter-terrorism arrangements and capabilities. This is as the Government envisaged, that the first task of the Royal Commission, the priority was to look at the security elements of these issues. I can confirm that the National Security Committee has met this morning and we have adopted and will implement all the recommendations of the Interim Report that are relevant to the Commonwealth. A number of the recommendations relate to state and territory jurisdictions, aimed at ensuring a nationally consistent approach to implementation. And we’ll work constructively with state and territory governments on those issues. A small number of recommendations are classified because they could compromise sensitive national security information. But I can assure the Australian public that the Government will do everything necessary to protect the community. In the wake of the Bondi attack, my government took immediate action to bolster the resources of our security agencies, tackle antisemitism, crack down on hate preachers and deliver tougher gun laws. That’s why we brought the Parliament back in January. We weren’t able to get the support across the Parliament of everything we wanted to achieve, but we did make substantial progress. Commissioner Bell’s recommendations complement those changes that we already made. I want to thank Commissioner Bell and her team for their hard work and professionalism in delivering this report. My thanks also to Dennis Richardson for leading the Independent Review of Australia’s Federal Law Enforcement and Intelligence Agencies, which became part of the Royal Commission. And I look forward to receiving Commissioner Bell’s final report this year.

< MICHELLE ROWLAND, ATTORNEY-GENERAL

< TONY BURKE, MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER:

< JOURNALIST:

< PRIME MINISTER:

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< MINISTER BURKE

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< MINISTER BURKE

< JOURNALIST

< MINISTER BURKE

< PRIME MINISTER

< JOURNALIST

< MINISTER BURKE

< PRIME MINISTER

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ommissioner the Hon Virginia Bell AC has today delivered the Interim Report of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

The Government welcomes the Interim Report, accepts all recommendations that relate to the Commonwealth, and is committed to working with the states and territories to adopt a national approach to implementation of all 14 recommendations.

While Commissioner Bell found Australia’s existing legal and regulatory frameworks did not hinder agencies’ ability to prevent or respond to the Bondi attack, and that no urgent or immediate action is required, the recommendations go to enhancing our national counter-terrorism arrangements and capabilities.

The Interim Report contains a small number of classified recommendations which cannot be publicly released because they could compromise sensitive national security information. The Government will respond swiftly to these recommendations and Australians will see practical outcomes through a range of policy, program and funding measures.

The Government established the Royal Commission in the wake of the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi to examine antisemitism in Australia and strengthen social cohesion.

The Government thanks Commissioner Bell and her team for their professionalism and dedication in delivering the Interim Report. The Government also thanks Mr Dennis Richardson AC for his contribution in leading the independent review of Australia’s federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which became part of the Royal Commission.

Source:

Issue date: Thursday, 30 April 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is starting its interstate public hearings in Sydney this week for its inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The first hearing will be held in Sydney on Friday 1 May 2026 and will bring together a broad range of organisations, researchers, community leaders and advocates to provide evidence to the Committee.

Witnesses scheduled to appear include national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and academic experts, and veterans’ representatives.

Following recent events at ANZAC day commemorations, the final session of the day will hear evidence from Reverand Dr Ray Minniecon and the RSL NSW Acting President, retired Brigadier Vince Williams. This will focus on the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans.

Committee Chair, Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman Senator Jana Stewart, said “These hearings provide an important opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations, researchers and advocates to share their experiences and insights directly with the Committee.”

“Racism, hate and violence have real and lasting impacts. Hearing firsthand evidence is essential to understanding the scale and nature of the problem and identifying meaningful responses.”

The inquiry is examining the prevalence, impacts and drivers of racism, hate and violence, as well as existing responses and opportunities for reform. Evidence gathered during the hearings will inform the Committee’s final report to Parliament.

Further interstate public hearings will continue in other locations as part of the inquiry.

Information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website.

Please note the committee and secretariat are unable to provide counselling, advice, or support for individuals. Help is available:

For First Nations people:

• 13YARN: 13 92 76
• Brother to Brother: 1800 435 799
• Yarning SafeNStrong: 1800 959 563

For all people:

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
• Headspace: 1800 650 890
• Suicide Call Back Service:1300 659 467
• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732

Media inquiries

Office of Senator Jana Stewart
Media contact: Hannah Purdy
0438 003 838

Source:

---

Source: Airservices Australia

The Account-to-Account Payments Roundtable has today released a public consultation on the draft vision for the future of account-to-account (A2A) payments in Australia. Submissions close 22 May.

The Roundtable brings together Australian Payments Network (AusPayNet), Australian Payments Plus (AP+), the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and Commonwealth Treasury¹.

The publication of the draft vision report for feedback marks the next step in a broader, multi-step process to shape a shared vision for the future of A2A payments in Australia, and a roadmap of high-level deliverables and milestones to achieve that vision. The intention of this work is to provide certainty to stakeholders on the long-term strategic direction for A2A payments, and anchor the industry’s development of A2A payments products, services and underlying infrastructure.

The draft vision has been developed throughout the Roundtable process following extensive engagement with stakeholders and drawing on last year’s consultation on the future of A2A payments undertaken by AusPayNet and AP+.

The A2A payments system is an essential part of Australia’s economy, supporting millions of transactions each day, including the payment of wages, superannuation, welfare and bills, as well as transfers of money to family and friends. The environment for A2A payments is changing rapidly, driven by advances in technology and automation, and shifting societal preferences.

The draft vision sets out the desired long-term outcomes for Australia’s A2A payments system – that it remains safe, reliable, low cost, easy to use, and inclusive for consumers, businesses and government agencies. It also defines the qualities that the system needs to demonstrate to consistently deliver these outcomes.

The Roundtable is seeking input on how the A2A payments system should continue to develop to remain a trusted national asset that meets the evolving needs of its users.

Feedback on the draft vision will be used to refine and finalise the vision. This vision will inform the development of an industry roadmap involving the prioritisation and sequencing of industry deliverables, consistent with public interest considerations.

Next steps

The full consultation paper can be accessed at the following locations:
Future of the Account-to-Account Payments System
<https://auspaynet.com.au/insights/consultations/A2Avision2026>
<https://www.auspayplus.com.au/stakeholder-engagement/public-consultations>

Submissions to this consultation should be submitted via A2Avisionconsultation@auspaynet.com.au. All submissions received will be shared with all members of the A2A Payments Roundtable, unless otherwise specified by the submission respondent. Alternatively, respondents may choose to provide their submission directly to any member of the A2A Payments Roundtable.

Background

Australian Payments Network (AusPayNet) is the self-regulatory body for the payments industry. It administers the framework for the Bulk Electronic Clearing System – Australia’s system for processing batch account-to-account payments, including payroll and welfare payments.

Australian Payments Plus (AP+) is the provider of Australia’s fast payment system – the New Payments Platform – as well as the BPAY billing service.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Gangs Taskforce has arrested a 47-year-old male following an aggravated assault in Moil on Tuesday night.

Around 11pm, the offender, who was wearing a Mongols OMCG t-shirt attended the residential address of a 53-year-old male known to him and called for him to come to the locked front gate.

The offender then allegedly assaulted the victim through the gate.

Before leaving, the offender allegedly threatened the victim that he would return with other members of the OMCG to assault him.

Around 1:30pm yesterday, the offender was apprehended driving on McMillans Road, and arrested for the assault.

The male underwent a drug test at the Palmerston Watch House which indicated the presence of methamphetamine in his body.

He has been charged with:

– Aggravated assault

– Drive with prohibited drug in body (methamphetamine)

– Drive a motor vehicle while unlicensed

He was remanded to appear later today.

Source: Government of Western Australia

At the City of Wanneroo Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 28 April, Council made the following decisions.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to offer a free, easy to understand session to help businesses learn how planning permits work and how to apply for them.

Building your Business: A Practical Guide to Planning Permits is on Wednesday May 27 from 2.30pm to 4pm at Galkangu Bendigo GovHub, 189-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo.

The practical session will be run by City staff from the Economic Growth and Statutory Planning teams. It will explain when a planning permit is needed, how the application process works, and how businesses can move through the journey more smoothly.

Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said the free session would help businesses better understand what is involved in statutory planning.

“Participants will hear directly from a planner, learn what information is needed for a strong application, and understand the difference between planning and building permits, including for home-based businesses,” Mr Myatt said.

“The free session is designed for all types of businesses, from new start-ups, home businesses, entrepreneurs to established businesses, who are seeking to expand on an existing site or move to new premises in the region.”

What you’ll learn:

• Understand planning requirements for your business
• If a planning permit is required for your business activity
• What information is required for a successful planning application
• How to avoid delays, unexpected costs, and common mistakes
• When a home‑based business does (and does not) need approval
• The difference between planning permits and building permits
• How the statutory planning process works simply explained
• Start or grow your business with planning confidence
• Existing business owners looking to expand, relocate or change how you operate
• Current applicants seeking clarification on planning processes or next steps

Booking is essential.