Month: April 2026

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

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a male after a violent disturbance in the Darwin CBD early yesterday morning.

Around 2:10am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a male armed with an edged weapon allegedly assaulting and threatening members of the public near a licensed premises on Mitchell Street.

It is alleged that the offender punched a male before threatening him with the weapon and stealing his umbrella. He then began an altercation with a taxi driver, where he threatened him with the weapon and a struggle ensued onto the roadway.

Police attended and arrested the offender with assistance from police CCTV operators.

The offender, who was identified as a 22-year-old male, allegedly spat in the face of an officer and continued to spit while being processed into the Watch House.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 and quote reference number P26115608. You can also report anonymously via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo has released a draft Disposal and Acquisition of Property Policy for community comment on its Let’s Talk community engagement website.

The Disposal and Acquisition of Property Policy will partly replace the Assets and Surplus Land Disposal Policy 2017 with a separate Asset Disposal Policy to be developed and presented to Council in the future.

City of Greater Bendigo Director Presentation and Assets, Brian Westley said the aim of the draft policy is to provide a framework to guide the City in its future decision making relating to the disposal and acquisition of properties.

“The City of Greater Bendigo owns and manages an extensive property portfolio and regularly reviews its existing property holdings,” Mr Westley said.

“Properties owned by the City are valuable public assets and it is essential that they are used to maximise the social, environmental, and economic benefits to the Greater Bendigo community.

“When making decisions about buying or disposing of property, the City must consider the wider needs of the community, and the draft policy provides a clear framework to guide those decisions.

“While the requirements and processes on how the City sells and acquires land are already controlled by a variety of legislation, including the Local Government Act 2020, the Subdivision Act 1988 and the City’s Financial Plan 2025–2035 and Asset Plan 2025–2035 the policy will help make all of these requirements clear in one central document.

“The draft policy is important because it will provide a consistent, equitable and transparent process in relation to the sale and acquisition of properties while aligning with best practice guidelines and complying with legislative requirements.

“It will also guide the strategic management of the City’s property portfolio for the long-term best interests of the community and help the City to achieve best value, both financial and non-financial, in all its property dealings.”

The City owns about 1,500 buildings, structures and aquatic facilities worth $790 million. These are part of a total asset portfolio of $3.6 billion.

Members of the community can provide feedback on the draft policy on the City’s Let’s Talk website until Monday May 18, 2026.

For more information, or to provide feedback, visit:

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Three offenders have been arrested following a violent incident in the Ngukurr community earlier this month.

On Saturday 11 April, police will allege a 25-year-old male was assaulted during an altercation involving weapons.

It is alleged a 15-year-old male threw two edged weapons at the victim which narrowly missed, before a 20-year-old male launched projectiles at him via a slingshot, one of which caused a laceration to his head.

After falling to the ground, the victim was allegedly hit in the head with a blunt weapon by a 16-year-old male.

The victim was treated at the local clinic and after his condition worsened on 14 April he was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition with life-threatening injuries to his head.

On Thursday 16 April, investigators from the Katherine Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) attended Ngukurr community and arrested the three males.

All three have since been charged with:

• 1x Intend Serious Harm, Cause Any Harm
• 1x Recklessly Endanger Life – Aggravated
• 1x Unlawfully Cause Serious Harm
• 1x Going Armed in Public

They currently remain in police custody are expected to appear in court on the following dates:

• 1 May (15-year-old male)
• 8 May (16-year-old male)
• 18 June (20-year-old male)

Police believe this incident is part of a long-standing conflict between family groups. 

Police are continuing to work closely with Traditional Owners and key community stakeholders to strengthen engagement efforts and help reduce tensions within the community.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Updated 3 February 2026

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has been granted leave by the Federal Court to intervene in the Epic Games, Inc v Apple Inc proceedings, in relation to the relief to be ordered by the Court.

The relief hearing, which will shortly resume, relates to the Federal Court’s finding last year that Apple misused its market power, in breach of Australia’s competition laws, by restricting the use of alternative app distribution and in-app payment methods on Apple devices.

The ACCC sought the Federal Court’s leave to intervene in the proceedings in order to make written submissions limited to specific relief issues of public interest.

“The ACCC hopes to assist the Court by putting submissions that recognise the public interest in the promotion of competitive digital services markets and the broad public interest nature of the remedial orders that the Court may make,” ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward said.

“This is a significant competition law matter, and the orders made in these proceedings could have wide-ranging implications for the distribution of mobile apps and in-app payments in Australia.”

The ACCC has been closely monitoring these private proceedings since they commenced in November 2020 and has had some limited, prior involvement. The relief hearing resumes on 28 April 2026.

Background

Epic Games is a multi-billion dollar video game and software company that created and operates the popular video game Fortnite. In August 2020, Fortnite was removed from Apple and Google’s respective app stores for introducing its own payment system which bypassed Apple and Google’s approximately 30 per cent commission fees on in-app purchases. Epic commenced court proceedings in relation to this conduct.

In August 2025, the Federal Court found Apple and Google had misused their respective market power, in breach of Australia’s competition laws, by restricting the use of alternative app distribution methods and in-app payment methods on Apple and Android mobile devices respectively.

In March 2026, the Court ordered by consent that Epic’s proceeding against Google be dismissed. Epic and Google have entered into a settlement agreement which applies globally, including in Australia.

Under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, private parties can bring court cases irrespective of ACCC action.

The ACCC typically only considers seeking leave to intervene in private proceedings in certain limited circumstances, one of which is in cases involving issues of significant public interest. In doing so, it will generally seek to provide the Court with a broader perspective than that of private litigants. Leave is granted at the Court’s discretion.  

In 2021, the ACCC was granted leave to appear as amicus curiae (a “friend of the Court”) in Epic Games’ appeal of the Federal Court’s decision to grant Apple a temporary stay of proceedings. The ACCC supported the principle that important Australian competition law cases should be heard and determined in Australian courts.

The ACCC conducted the wide-ranging Digital Platform Services Inquiry from 2020 to 2025.

Throughout the course of the inquiry, the ACCC observed conduct by the most powerful digital platforms that is distorting the competitive process. This conduct includes denying interoperability, self-preferencing and tying, exclusivity agreements, impeding switching, and withholding access to important hardware, software, and data inputs.

The ACCC recommended that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition, innovation and productivity, and to protect consumers in digital markets.

The Government has committed to introduce a new digital competition regime, and the ACCC continues to work with the Treasury on its development.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo is pleased to support two events designed to help local businesses, including a free in-person marketing session to boost customer engagement.

Maximising Your Marketing is a free event being held on Thursday April 30 at Galkangu Bendigo GovHub from 4pm to 6pm and is being delivered by Business Victoria.

Economy & Experience Manager James Myatt said businesses would find the in-person session invaluable.

“The City’s latest business survey results revealed that more businesses were seeking to further strengthen their marketing capabilities,” Mr Myatt said.

“The two-hour free session is designed to help business owners and managers build the essentials for an effective marketing plan.

“Participants will discover how to improve their marketing, boost customer engagement and reach their business goals.”

During the session, participants will learn to:

• Understand the role of marketing in business success
• Conduct market research to gain target audience insights
• Identify opportunities to attract and engage ideal customers
• Maximise customer satisfaction, loyalty, and advocacy
• Use social media to extend marketing reach

To register your spot, visit Business Victoria: Maximising Your Marketing.

From 10am to 4pm on Wednesday April 29, the Victorian Government’s Small Business Bus will be in Hargreaves Mall, offering free advice and support for local small businesses in Greater Bendigo.

Expert business advisers from Monarch Institute are offering free 45-minute one-to-one sessions to help people start, build, or transform their small business*.

“The business adviser can help you to identify a clear direction for your business, discuss key issues and priorities, and develop a business action plan to achieve your goals. Bookings are essential,” Mr Myatt said.

Walk-ins are also welcome for the Bus Concierge service which provides general information about support available from Business Victoria including online webinars, grants, and programs.

For more information and to book, please visit Business Victoria: Workshops and Small Business Bus.

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

COULTA

Issued on
21 Apr 2026 13:43

Coulta Fire

The CFS is responding to scrub fire near Coulta burning towards Marble Range, 60km North West of Port Lincoln, South Australia.

CFS volunteers on 6 trucks, supported by Farm Fire Units and aircraft, including firebombers and observational aircraft, are on scene working to extinguish the fire which is currently burning in scrub.

Additional support is heading to the fire, anyone in the area is encouraged to stay alert.

Smoke can be seen from surrounding areas and will be visible from the highway. Roads are currently open around this incident however this may change at short notice. Continue to monitor road closures at: traffic.sa.gov.au.

Message ID 0009387