Month: April 2026

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a fatal quadbike crash that occurred in Wadeye yesterday.

Around 11am, police believe a quadbike carrying a four males, aged 19, 19, 16 and 12, crashed near Manthathpe Bridge in Wadeye.

Shortly after the crash, clinic staff drove past and transferred the males to the clinic for assessment while also contacting police.

Initial reports indicated abdominal injuries and abrasions.

Around 3:10pm, the clinic notified police that the 16-year-old male’s condition had rapidly deteriorated and he was declared deceased a short time later.

One of the 19-year-olds and the 12-year-old have now been conveyed to Darwin via Careflight for further assessment.

Detectives from Major Crash are expected to arrive in the community this morning to continue investigations and assist local officers.

The exact circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 or visit your local station. Please quote reference NTP2600038843

The lives lost on Territory roads currently stands at 6.

Source: Government of Victoria 3

What is the issue?

To 14 April 2026, 84 diphtheria cases have been notified nationally (55 in Northern Territory; 26 in Western Australia; 2 in Queensland and 1 in South Australia).

The number of diphtheria cases reported in Australia in 2026 to date substantially exceeds the total annual number of cases recorded in any previous year since national surveillance began.

91% of cases have been among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Most cases (77%) have been cutaneous infections, 18% were respiratory infections. 4% were unclassified.

Who is at risk?

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those living in or with links to remote communities affected by the current outbreak.
• People who are not fully vaccinated against diphtheria or are overdue for boosters.

Symptoms and transmission

Diphtheria is an acute bacterial infection caused by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae (C. diphtheriae).

Cutaneous diphtheria typically presents as a shallow skin ulcer with a grey membrane.

Respiratory diphtheria commonly presents with sore throat, low‑grade fever and cervical lymphadenopathy, followed by development of a white exudate and adherent grey pseudomembrane, which can lead to airway obstruction.

Diphtheria is transmitted through respiratory droplets, direct contact with cutaneous lesions and less commonly via fomites. The incubation period is usually 2–5 days but may be longer (range 1-10 days).

Recommendations for health professionals

Testing

• For suspected respiratory diphtheria: collect a throat swab for culture for diphtheria.
• For suspected cutaneous disease: collect a swab of the lesion and the throat.
• A bacterial swab should be used (not with viral transport medium). Swab beneath part of the pseudomembrane if one is present.
• Selective medium is required to culture C. diphtheriae, therefore your pathology service should be notified that diphtheria is clinically suspected. All isolates should be sent to Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory for C. diphtheriae toxin gene detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Treatment

• If diphtheria is confirmed or strongly suspected, consult an infectious diseases physician regarding antibiotic therapy and the need for diphtheria antitoxin.

Notification

• Notify any suspected cases to your Local Public Health Unit immediately by calling 1300 651 160.

Vaccination

• Diphtheria-toxoid containing vaccines (dTpa, DTPa and dT vaccines) protect against severe toxin-mediated disease.
• Vaccinated people can still carry toxigenic bacteria in their nose and throat and transmit it to other people.
• Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and other at‑risk groups are up‑to‑date with diphtheria vaccination in line with the Australian Immunisation Handbook .
• Travellers to an outbreak setting, including within Australia, may consider a booster dose if more than 5 years have passed since their last diphtheria-containing vaccine.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

A new immersive exhibition, Running on Empty: The Power of Play, reflects on the demands of modern life, burnout and recovery in a world that rarely slows down.

Opening Thursday April 23 to Sunday May 3 at Dudley House, this thought‑provoking exhibition by local artist and writer Amanda Mannin explores exhaustion and overload through the lived experience of motherhood.

The free Artists on View exhibition features painting, portraiture, and symbolic imagery to examine the often‑invisible expectations that shape modern life.

“We often talk about burnout as a personal problem, but many of the pressures we feel are inherited,” Amanda said.

“They’re built into social expectations around productivity, care, perfection, and self‑sacrifice. Burnout is often framed as a personal failure, but what if it’s actually a very intelligent response to a world that asks too much?”

Through a series of simple, sensory, and embodied works, Running on Empty: The Power of Play offers a perspective that sees burnout not as weakness, but as adaptation.

Visitors move through contrasting spaces that shift from endurance and depletion toward restoration, play, and creative recovery.

A recurring symbol throughout the exhibition is the flamingo, a bird that loses its colour after raising its young and takes years to regain it.

At the heart of the exhibition is a growing community artwork, You Can Hang Your Art With Me, where visitors are invited to contribute small drawings, colours, or written fragments. Over time, the wall evolves into a collective portrait of recovery, creativity, and shared experience.

“This is an exhibition for tired bodies,” Amanda said.

“For people who have been holding a lot and for anyone who needs a reminder that colour returns through the power of play.”

The exhibition is open 11am–4pm on Thursday April 23, Friday April 24, Saturday April 25, Sunday April 26, Thursday April 30, Friday May 1, Saturday May 2, and Sunday May 3 at Dudley House.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Greater Darwin Centralised Social Order Concept (GDCSO), implemented on 30 October 2025, continues to see an increase in proactive policing across the greater Darwin region.

Coordinated through the Territory Safety Division (TSD), the GDCSO brings together all social-order resources under a single, unified operational framework. The model continues to focus on early interdiction and prevention, coordinated tasking, and targeted enforcement against the key drivers of anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related harm.

Over a period of nearly six months, the GDCSO has delivered strong and measurable outcomes for the Greater Darwin community, including:

• 14,094 litres of alcohol seized and destroyed
• 1,162 Banned Drinker Orders issued
• 515 persons taken into Protective Custody
• 484 arrests
• 213 infringement notices issued
• Over 9,000 targeted proactive patrols conducted

Senior Sergeant Joshua Cunningham from the Territory Safety Division said the coordinated model continues to strengthen police capability and deliver meaningful outcomes for the community.

“The centralised approach has allowed us to be more agile, more visible, and more targeted in how we respond to anti-social behaviour. We are identifying issues earlier, intervening sooner, and working closely with our partner agencies to disrupt the drivers of alcohol-related harm.”

“This is about getting ahead of the behaviour before it escalates and delivering safer outcomes for the community.”

“Our members are out there every day, highly visible and proactive, and that presence is making a difference. We’re seeing improved behaviour in key areas, increased community confidence, and stronger engagement across the region.”

“The Northern Territory Police Force will continue to build on the success of the GDCSO, ensuring a coordinated, intelligence-led approach remains central to reducing crime, improving public safety, and supporting the Greater Darwin community. This capability will be further strengthened with the introduction of Police Public Safety Officers, who will join the Territory Safety Division upon graduation at the end of June 2026, enhancing frontline visibility and supporting proactive policing efforts across the region.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 19-year-old female in relation to an aggravated burglary that occurred last night in Alice Springs.

Around 11:45pm, police received a report of an aggravated burglary at a residence on Bloomfield Street in Gillen.

It is alleged a group of females attended the residence and forced entry through the front door. Two of the offenders allegedly physically assaulted a 15-year-old female resident, before a third offender struck the victim in the head with a rock.

The 15-year-old received treatment at the Alice Springs Hospital for a minor laceration to her head.

A 19-year-old offender was arrested later in the night. She remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

The incident is believed to be related to a social media dispute, and investigations are ongoing to identify the remaining offenders.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2600038493. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HAMISH MACDONALD, HOST: The PM and the Energy Minister, Chris Bowen have just wrapped up a media conference at Port Botany in Sydney. The Prime Minister is here this morning. Good morning to you, PM.

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Source: Prime Minister of Australia

nder the Albanese Government’s new Strategic Reserve powers, a further 200 million litres of additional diesel for Australia has been secured, and work has commenced with leading fertiliser companies to secure more supply at this critical time in the growing season.

The Government has partnered with BP Australia and continued our partnership with Viva Energy, taking the total additional diesel secured in the last seven days to approximately 300 million litres or over 1.8 million additional barrels to keep Australia moving.

Work continues with Ampol, Park Fuels, IOR and other fuel suppliers, to secure additional fuel shipments in coming days and weeks. 

The Government is also working with leading fertiliser companies Incitec Pivot and CSBP to help secure and deliver essential fertiliser for Australian farmers.

This package involves price risk support to protect importers from extreme price volatility and ensure additional fertiliser arrives in Australia for the current and upcoming growing seasons.

The Albanese Government will continue to secure essential fuel and fertiliser supplies, and work with our industry partners to ensure it is directed to where it is needed most, to shield Australians from the worst impacts of the conflict in the Middle East, and to keep our nation and our people moving.

Quotes attributable to the Prime Minister

“As conflict in the Middle East and global volatility continues, we are working to shield Australians from the worst of the impacts.

“We want to keep our people, our economy and our nation moving, which is why we’re
working with industry to quickly secure additional shipments of fuel and fertiliser.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Farrell

“With approximately 300 million additional litres of diesel secured and new partnerships for securing fertiliser, we’re ensuring our farmers can keep planting, our trucks can keep driving and our economy can keep moving.

“We’re using our new Strategic Reserve powers to direct essential supplies to the industries and regions which need them the most in the face of the continued conflict in the Middle East.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Bowen

“We are working with industry to shield Australians from global uncertainty and keep our nation moving.

“By providing support to secure approximately 300 million litres of diesel, together with existing contracted supply that’s flowing to Australia, we are securing the essential fuel supplies for the regions and industries that need it.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Collins 

“We understand how critical fertiliser is for Australian farmers, for our food production system and the food security of our region – that’s why I have been working with industry to support getting fertiliser to Australian farmers.

“This is a significant outcome for our farmers and will support industry to secure and deliver the fertiliser we need sooner.

“Our Government will continue working with our farmers to help manage the global impacts of the conflict in the Middle East.”

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

PAUL AUGÉ, PRESIDENT, BP AUSTRALIA: Thank you, Prime Minister Albanese and Mr Bowen. It’s great to be here today. Today’s announcement is all about making sure that Australia has the fuel it needs when it needs it, and also at a time of increased uncertainty and volatility. Thank you, Government, for the responsiveness that they have demonstrated. And the work with the EFA is a demonstration of the Government’s action to make sure Australia has the fuel it needs. BP, with partnership, obviously, with the EFA, has access to incremental cargoes that will be arriving here to Port Botany and also into Perth in Kwinana over the next few months. This is on top of five cargoes that we’ll have coming to NSW before the end of May to ensure that we have the right supply to the state, on top of a normal import program that we have coming to Australia, which will have around 60 cargoes coming over the next few months. The facility and the partnership with the Government through the EFA is really allowing us to bring additional cargoes to make sure Australia has the fuel it needs when it needs it. Behind us, don’t forget, there’s a vessel that is coming all the way from the US, from our refinery in Cherry Point in Washington State, which again demonstrates the resilience of our supply chain that we have here in Australia through our global network and global partnerships. Again, I want to thank the Prime Minister and the Government for the responsiveness and also the collaboration with the industry, both through the release of the MSO and stockholdings, also through this facility with the EFA and also through the support that they are providing to the local supply chains across Australia through the National Reconstruction Fund. With that, thank you.

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Source: Tasmania Police

Traffic operation detects high range drink driver

Wednesday, 22 April 2026 – 11:51 am.

A woman detected drink-driving at more than four times the legal limit highlighted acts of dangerous driving identified during police traffic patrols across the West Coast last night.
Western Road Policing Services conducted the targeted traffic operation on Tuesday, utilising both static and mobile patrols.
During the operation, police detected 14 speeding offences, one vehicle defect, one driver failing to display P-plates and two drivers exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit.
A 31-year-old woman from Wynyard was detected driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.238 – more than four times the legal limit – with two young children in the vehicle.
A 27-year-old man from Rosebery was intercepted on the Murchison Highway for speeding and subsequently returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.07.
A 39-year-old man from Victoria was detected travelling 42km/h above the posted 50km/h speed limit.
Inspector Adam Spencer said it was disappointing that drivers continued to not only put their own lives at risk, but the lives of others.
“Driving while under the influence of alcohol isn’t just about breaking the law – you are putting yourself and others at risk of serious injury or death,” he said.
“And in this instance, two young children were put at risk by being in a vehicle with a driver who returned a high blood alcohol reading.
“Police will continue to conduct these targeted operations to ensure drivers are held to account, because everyone deserves to be safe on our roads.”
If you see unlawful and dangerous driving behaviour on Tasmanian roads, contact police on 131 444 or call 000 (triple zero) if it is an emergency.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA volunteer Brodie Goodwin doesn’t member a time when he wasn’t around his local CFA brigade and he encourages others to consider joining.

Submitted by	CFA Media