Month: April 2026

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

am pleased to announce I intend to recommend to the Governor-General that she appoint Ms Meghan Quinn PSM as Secretary of the Department of Defence.

This is a historic appointment with Ms Quinn becoming the first woman to substantively hold the position of Secretary of the Department of Defence.

Ms Quinn has a distinguished career as a senior leader in the Australian Public Service and is currently the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

Ms Quinn has advised Government on a wide range of Australian and international policy matters. She previously held several Deputy Secretary roles at the Department of the Treasury and was head of the Secretariat for the ‘Australia in the Asian Century White Paper’ at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Prior to this, Ms Quinn worked for BHP and the Bank of England.

In 2009, Ms Quinn was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in the development of climate change policy.

Ms Quinn’s term will commence on 18 May 2026 for a five-year period.

I would like to thank Mr Greg Moriarty AO for his service as Secretary of the Department of Defence, and I look forward to working with him in his new role as Australian Ambassador to the United States of America. I would also like to thank Ms Cath Patterson for acting as Secretary.

 

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA alongside other emergency services agencies gathered last weekend at Gumbuya World for a ‘Community Heroes Day’ to say a big thank you to frontline workers and their families.

Submitted by	CFA Media

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

The City of Greater Bendigo has developed a draft Infrastructure and Service Plan for Eaglehawk’s Albert Roy Recreation Reserve and is inviting the community to have their say on the future of the reserve.

Key features of the draft plan include upgraded female-friendly changerooms, two high-quality senior baseball diamonds with lighting, cricket and junior soccer pitches, three Little League fields, combined training nets, improved landscaping, and better pedestrian and cycling access. A new Eaglehawk Women’s Shed is also proposed as part of the site’s future development.

City of Greater Bendigo Director Healthy Communities and Environments, Jess Howard said Albert Roy Reserve is located just 500 metres south of central Eaglehawk and is a popular recreation hub that currently hosts baseball, cricket, BMX, tennis, table tennis and badminton.

“The aim of the draft Infrastructure and Service Plan is to set out a clear, staged vision for the future of the reserve,” Ms Howard said.

“Albert Roy Recreation Reserve is a key community asset with enormous potential for the community but the site’s history as a former mining and landfill area has created ongoing challenges with surface quality and maintenance.

“The draft plan focuses on multi use functionality and respects the site’s environmental and geotechnical constraints.

“The development of the plan will help ensure the reserve continues to support a wide range of sports and community activities, while improving safety, access, and the overall visitor experience.”

Community consultation will be open until May 24, 2026, with residents encouraged to share their ideas on:

• Spaces for relaxation and connection
• Access and wayfinding
• Landscaping and environmental improvements
• Opportunities to explore and enjoy nature
• Ways to encourage physical activity other than sport

Feedback received from the community will be considered and used to refine the plan before it is presented to Council later this year.

Members of the community can review the concept options, complete the online survey, or register for upcoming drop-in sessions on the City’s community engagement website Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo until May 24, 2026.

For more information, or to provide feedback, visit:

Source:

Issue date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026

The Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade will hold public hearings in Melbourne and Sydney as part of its inquiry into strengthening Australia’s trade and investment relations with Africa.

Subcommittee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, said ‘These hearings will allow the Subcommittee to engage directly with organisations and individuals based in Victoria and New South Wales and hear unique and important insights into how Australia can strengthen its trade and investment relations with Africa.’

‘The Subcommittee will hear from a variety of organisations and individuals, including across business, media, logistics and community groups, each of whom will have the opportunity to share their perspectives on the changing demographic and economic opportunities across Africa’s diverse markets.’

In Melbourne, the Subcommittee will hear from:

• Mr Gebreselasie Gebru
• Australia Africa Chamber of Commerce
• Australia Zimbabwe Business Council
• African Professionals of Australia Limited
• Australian Industry Group
• Africa Media Australia
• Emerging Brand Africa
• Sanctuary Global Enterprises
• Ms Bronwen Halfpenny MP, Member for Thomastown

In Sydney, the Subcommittee will hear from:

• Vitti Capital: African Professionals of Australia; African Advocacy Centre; Western Sydney University
• Kenya Community NSW
• Food Markies / Multicultural Food Hub
• Export Council of Australia

Mrs Fiona Phillips MP further stated that ‘the evidence gathered at these hearings will identify opportunities and barriers to Australia’s trade and investment with African nations and inform recommendations to the Australian Government.’

Public Hearing Details

Melbourne

Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026 
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (AEST)
Location: Parliament of Victoria, 55 St Andrews Place, Melbourne – Hearing Room 3 Davui

Sydney

Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 11:35 am (AEST)
Location: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Level 21, 1 Bligh Street, Sydney – Meeting Room 1

Programs for each public hearing are available on the inquiry website.

Public hearings are broadcast live on the Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal.

Media inquiries

Katrina Condie, office of Mrs Fiona Phillips MP (Member for Gilmore; Chair, Trade Subcommittee)
Ph: 0437 662 967

For background information

Committee Secretariat
Ph: 02 6277 2313
jscfadt@aph.gov.au

For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

hirty years after the Port Arthur massacre, the terrible, indiscriminate cruelty of that day remains beyond understanding. 

Australia pauses today to remember the 35 people whose lives and futures were so pitilessly stolen from them just because they happened to be there.

We think of everyone whose world was shattered by the loss of those who had been the bright centre of their lives, their love left desperately wrapped around an absence. 

Our hearts go out to everyone who has lived with decades of loss, and every survivor and loved one who is no longer with us but was shadowed by an inconsolable grief for the rest of their days.

We think of all who survived but with memories that would never soften.

We express our gratitude to the first responders who arrived in scenes of unspeakable horror but somehow found the strength to do their duty.

We think of the broader Tasmanian community, which was shaken to the core, but came together in love and extraordinary resilience – and in the process, lifted Australia when we so desperately needed it.

We honour the extraordinary courage that emerged from shattering grief. We think of Walter Mikac who channelled his devastating loss into a call for national action on gun reform, writing to Prime Minister Howard with a message that echoes through the decades: “Be strong, act now”. 

Australia is a better place because the Government and the Parliament of the day came together to answer Walter’s call. 

This is what we hold on to – the abiding memory that somehow amid the most terrible darkness the best of humanity found a way to shine.

Three decades on from that day when our nation stopped, let us stand together as we stood together then, united in love for everyone who never came home. 

Source: Tasmania Police

Youths charged following several alleged business burglaries in East Devonport

Monday, 27 April 2026 – 4:56 pm.

Detectives from the Western Criminal Investigation Branch have arrested and charged four youths following several alleged business burglaries in East Devonport overnight.
Police allege the youths, aged 17, 16 and two aged 15, were involved in two burglaries, one attempted burglary, stealing and attempted stealing.
All four youths have been jointly charged with:

burglary x2
attempted burglary x1
stealing x1
attempted stealing x1.

Police would like to thank members of the community who reported suspicious activity and assisted police inquiries.
Anyone with information about burglary, stealing, or suspicious behaviour in the East Devonport area is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000.

Source: New South Wales Health – State Government

NSW Health is advising people in Sydney to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case.
The case is a returned traveller from Japan where the number of measles cases have recently been rising.
The person visited locations across Sydney while unknowingly infectious, including a healthcare facility.
A full list of locations is available on the NSW Health website. Exposure locations and times are updated regularly.
People who attended these locations should watch for symptoms of measles. These locations do not pose an ongoing risk.
If it has been less than 6 days since the exposure at these locations and you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an infant who was exposed, you are advised to contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055.
There is currently an increased risk of measles in NSW, with 45 cases confirmed since 1 January 2026.
Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit Deputy Director, Dr Isabel Hess, said people should monitor for symptoms of measles, particularly if they have visited any of the exposure locations at the listed time.
“If symptoms develop and you’ve been at one of the locations at the time listed on the website, see your doctor or health service, including an emergency department. Call ahead to let them know that you may have come into contact with measles so you don’t spend time in waiting rooms with other patients,” Dr Hess said.
“Symptoms to watch out for include fever, sore eyes, runny nose and a cough, usually followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash that spreads from the head and face to the rest of the body.
“Anyone with early symptoms who gets a rash a few days later should also think about measles, even if they haven’t attended one of the identified locations, and seek testing.
“It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after an exposure, so it’s important for people who visited these locations to look out for symptoms for this period.”
Measles is a vaccine preventable disease that is spread through the air when someone who is infectious coughs or sneezes.
“Importantly, we want to remind the community to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. Measles vaccine can prevent the disease even after exposure, if given early enough,” Dr Hess said.
“Anyone born after 1965 needs to ensure they have had two doses of measles vaccine. This is especially important before overseas travel, as measles outbreaks are occurring in several regions of the world at the moment.”
Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective and is given free for children at 12 and 18 months of age. It is also free in NSW for anyone born after 1965 who hasn’t already had two doses.
Children under the age of 12 months can have an extra, early, dose of MMR from six months of age if they are travelling overseas. Parents should consult their GP.
People who are unsure of whether they have had two doses should get a vaccine, as additional doses are safe. This is particularly important prior to travel. MMR vaccine is available from GPs (all ages) and pharmacies (people over 5 years of age).
For more information on measles, view the measles fact sheet.
People can also visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for information on health risks, including measles outbreaks relevant to their travel destination.
If you, or a loved one, is experiencing measles symptoms, or have questions about measles, please call your GP or healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
​

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Palmerston in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Around 2:50am, it is alleged a 15-year-old male and 14-year-old female were riding an electric dirt bike in Palmerston when they were approached by a dark grey Toyota Camry containing four occupants, at the intersection of Tilston Avenue and Elrundie Avenue.

A front seat male passenger exited the vehicle and allegedly threatened the two victims with a blunt hammer while demanding they hand over the bike.

A second male offender approached the female and allegedly threatened her with an edged weapon while demanding the keys, which she handed over.

Both offenders fled the scene on the bike which was followed by the vehicle.

The offenders remain outstanding and investigations are ongoing. Police are urging anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam, to make contact on 131 444 and quote reference P2600040004.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Winchelsea Fire Brigade has officially received its new heavy tanker, a welcomed arrival to their fleet to boost their firefighting capacity in their local region.

The heavy tanker replaces their former medium tanker that has since been cascaded to fellow South West brigade, Inverleigh. The new heavy tanker is designed to operate across both rural and urban environments.

Having received it just before the fire season kicked off, Winchelsea Fire Brigade Captain Kaylene Stocks said the heavy tanker has already been a benefit to the brigade, getting its first run responding to the Mount Mercer fire on 9 January.

“We had to go over so much rocky ground during that fire, and it was such an ease being in the heavy as opposed to our previous tanker,” Kaylene said.

“It really has made a difference; it is a lot more comfortable and travels on the road really well.”

Equipped with a 4,000-litre water capacity, automatic transmission, crew cab and four-wheel drive capability, the heavy tanker provides enhanced performance, safety and comfort for firefighters.

It also includes improved interface features to reduce fatigue and improve safety and ergonomics, such as electronic monitors and electric rewind hose reels.

Crew protection systems are a key feature designed to safeguard firefighters during burn-over events, including radiant heat protective curtains, water-spraying systems and heat-shielding panels.

“Using the monitors to get down into the gullies was a real asset during the Mt Mercer fire response too,” Kaylene said.

“The fact that we’ve also got a lot more water than we used to on board, it lasts so much longer and saves us from going to refill as much as we did before.

“Having breathing apparatus capabilities too has been fantastic. We do have structure fires out here in the bush too and knowing we have a bigger water capacity now is a real blessing.”

CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer Wayne Aylmer said the brigade will now be better equipped to respond to emergencies.

“The new tanker is a state-of-the-art firefighting vehicle and is much easier to operate – it will be a great asset to the community of Winchelsea now and in years to come,” Wayne said.

The Winchelsea Fire Brigade has 63 members, including 19 women and 34 operational firefighters, and responds to an average of 84 incidents each year.

Winchelsea is one of 48 brigades to receive a new, replacement heavy tanker funded in the Capability Funding package.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Strike Force Trident has arrested three adult males following an aggravated burglary at a licensed premises in Leanyer overnight.

Around 12:50am this morning, CCTV operators in the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre observed three offenders allegedly attempting to gain entry into the premises via a drive thru roller door.

Two of the offenders managed to pull open the roller door and hold it open while the other offender entered the premises and allegedly stole multiple bottles of spirits.

All three males then fled the area. Their movements were tracked by CCTV operators and General Duties apprehended them nearby.

The men aged 33, 36 and 44 were arrested and the stolen property was recovered.