The Victorian Government has announced $4.4 million to continue the Speech Pathology and Occupational Therapy Student (SPOTS) Grants Program for a further 2 years, through to 2028.
The program will provide more than 250 grants of up to $15,000 each to support students beginning their careers in regional Victoria.
Students can apply before graduating and use the funding to help cover the costs of relocating and starting work in regional areas, making it easier to take up these roles.
The program has demonstrated strong demand, with the first three rounds fully subscribed and all 442 grants awarded.
Continuing the program will support more people in regional Victoria to access speech pathology and occupational therapy services.
Speech pathologists support people with communication and swallowing difficulties, while occupational therapists assist people to participate in daily activities including self-care, work, learning and social connection.
The next round of grants will open in October 2026, with funding to be allocated in early 2027.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Territory Road Policing (TRP) have arrested and charged a 35-year-old man after an incident where police were targeted at a Random Breath Testing (RBT) station in Palmerston last week.
Around 3:40pm on Friday, 22 May, Territory Road Policing members were conducting an RBT on Temple Terrace.
A Toyota Landcruiser was directed into the RBT but it refused to stop and allegedly drove through the RBT narrowly missing two TRP members. No injuries were reported.
The alleged offender has now been arrested and charged with Recklessly endanger serious harm, Drive manner dangerous and numerous traffic offences. He has been bailed to appear in Darwin Local Court on Monday 8 June 2026.
Superintendent Rick Magree said police would not tolerate such dangerous and unacceptable behaviour.
“We are appalled by the recklessness of this individual who targeted police officers doing their job.
“The deliberate targeting of our hardworking officers is absolutely abhorrent and we will not stand for it.”
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT BULAHDELAH FRIDAY AFTERNOON
Moderate to locally heavy rainfall recorded in the Myall catchment since Thursday afternoon has caused river level rises at Bulahdelah and upstream. Further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Friday, which may lead to additional river level rises. Minor flooding may develop along the Myall River at Bulahdelah Friday afternoon.
Myall River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Myall River at Bulahdelah.
The Myall River at Bulahdelah is currently at 2.23 m AHD and rising, below the minor flood level. The Myall River at Bulahdelah may reach around the minor flood level (3.00 m AHD) Friday afternoon.
Safety Advice:
Don’t drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don’t drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.
Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued by 06:00 PM AEST on Friday 29 May 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Location
River Height
Tendency
Time of Observation
Myall River at Markwell
5.29 m
Rising
1:28 pm Fri 29/05/26
Myall River at Bulahdelah
2.33 mAHD
Rising
1:15 pm Fri 29/05/26
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.
CFA and FRV are joining fire services across Australia for Smoke Alarm Action Day on 1 June, urging Victorians to test their smoke alarms and check they are correctly installed and in working order.
This year, CFA and FRV are asking households to go a step further and consider whether their smoke alarms provide enough warning if a fire starts while someone is asleep.
Fire investigation data shows sleeping areas are the most common points of ignition in residential fires that result in serious injury or death.
A recent fire in Mooroolbark has highlighted why smoke alarm placement matters, after an unattended candle ignited a fire in an upstairs bedroom while an occupant was sleeping.
CFA crews were called to the home about 3am on 15 May, with the resident waking to find the bedroom already well alight, before managing to escape unharmed.
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the room of origin, preventing it from spreading further through the home. The bedroom sustained significant damage.
CFA Incident Controller Kyle Willsher said the resident was fortunate to wake when they did.
“Crews were called about 3am and, thankfully, everyone was already out of the house when we arrived,” Kyle said.
“There were smoke alarms operating elsewhere in the home, but there was no alarm in the bedroom where the fire started.
“This is a reminder that smoke alarms need to be close enough to wake you, especially if a fire starts while you are sleeping.
“Candles should never be left unattended, and they should always be extinguished before leaving a room or going to sleep.”
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook said the incident showed why Victorians should not assume one smoke alarm is enough.
“If a fire starts while you are asleep, every second counts,” Garry said.
“Smoke alarms should be installed in bedrooms, living areas and hallways.
“Interconnected smoke alarms provide the best protection because when one alarm activates, all smoke alarms in the home sound.
“Use Smoke Alarm Action Day to test your alarms, check where they are installed and talk to your family about your home fire escape plan.”
Acting Fire Rescue Commissioner Joshua Fischer said that working smoke alarms are essential for home fire safety.
“In an emergency such as a house fire, seconds can make all the difference. Working smoke alarms give you the best chance to get out safely and call Triple Zero (000),” he said.
“That means every household must have working smoke alarms that are tested regularly and replaced if they are more than 10 years old. It is also recommended to install additional smoke alarms where they will wake you — including inside bedrooms and living areas — to give you the best chance of escape if a fire occurs.
“As we head into winter, Victorians should also reduce fire risks around the home by keeping flammable items away from heaters, never leaving candles unattended and turning off electrical appliances before going to sleep.”
CFA and FRV are urging Victorians to:
Test smoke alarms monthly
Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, living area and hallway
Interconnect smoke alarms where possible
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
Keep clothing, bedding and curtains at least one metre from heaters
Never leave candles, cooking or heaters unattended
Initial Minor Flood Warning for the Hastings River
at Settlement Point
Issued at 12:24 pm AEST on Friday 29 May 2026
Flood Warning Number: 2
reissued to correct subtitle
MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT SETTLEMENT POINT ON THE HIGH TIDE FRIDAY EVENING
Moderate to heavy rainfall since Thursday morning has caused river level rises across the Hastings River catchment. Further rainfall is forecast for the remainder of Friday, which may cause additional river level rises. Minor flooding is possible at Settlement Point on the high tide Friday evening.
Hastings River:
Minor flooding possible along the Hastings River at Settlement Point.
No observations are currently available at Settlement Point. The Hastings River at Settlement Point may reach near the minor flood level (1.20 m AHD) Friday evening on the high tide.
Safety Advice:
Don’t drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don’t drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.
Next Issue:
The next warning will be issued by 11:00 AM AEST on Saturday 30 May 2026.
Latest River Heights:
Location
River Height
Tendency
Time of Observation
Hastings River at Mt Seaview
1.92 m
Rising
12:15 pm Fri 29/05/26
Hastings River at Kindee Bridge
1.88 mAHD
Steady
12:00 pm Fri 29/05/26
Hastings River at Wauchope Railway Bridge
0.34 mAHD
Falling
12:00 pm Fri 29/05/26
Wilson River at Telegraph Point
0.41 m
Falling
12:00 pm Fri 29/05/26
This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.
Now is a great time to clear out the garage, tidy the garden or finally get rid of bulky household items you’ve been meaning to move on.
Eligible households in the City of Wanneroo can book a range of verge collections each financial year, including greens waste, junk, mattresses, white goods and e-waste.
With annual entitlements resetting on 1 July, residents are encouraged to book early if they want to use their 2025/26 allocation before the end of the financial year.
It’s important to remember that your entitlement is based on the collection date, not the date you make your booking.
This means:
Collections completed on or before 30 June 2026 will count towards your 2025/26 entitlement
Collections completed from 1 July 2026 will count towards your 2026/27 entitlement
What can I book? Eligible households can access:
1 x Greens collection — up to 3m³
1 x Junk collection — up to 3m³
1 x White goods collection — up to 4 items
1 x E-waste collection — up to 6 items
1 x Mattress collection — up to 3 items
Planning ahead gives you the best chance of securing a collection date that works for you.
To make a booking, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/bulkwaste.
South East CIB charge several people with raft of offences
Friday, 29 May 2026 – 10:45 am.
South East Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) has charged several people yesterday with a raft of offences including assault, stealing, drug, and firearm related incidents.
“As part of ongoing investigations, detectives from South East CIB yesterday charged a number of people in relation to incidents committed in southern Tasmania,” said Detective Inspector David Gill.
“Our detectives are committed to investigating crimes, and bringing charges against those people who choose to commit offences in our community.”
A 15-year-old male youth from Bridgewater was charged with burglary x4, attempted burglary x1, stealing x5, motor vehicle stealing x5, trespass x1 and driving whilst disqualified x4. Police will allege the burglaries related to the a Golf Club in the Richmond area, service station in Lindisfarne and Lauderdale, a retail business in Northgate and vehicle burglaries where cash, alcohol and collector cards were targeted and they were committed utilising the stolen cars. He was detained to appear in court.
A 16-year-old male youth from Herdsmans Cove was charged with motor vehicle stealing x6. He was detained to appear in court.
A 25-year-old man from Huonville was charged with a burglary and stealing. Police will allege this related to a restaurant in Blackmans Bay where cash was stolen. He was detained to appear in court.
A 42-year-old man from Rokeby was charged with possession of a firearm and drug related offences. Police will allege they located a firearm and drugs during a targeted search of a residential address in Rokeby. He was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
A 17-year-old male youth from Clarendon Vale was charged with aggravated robbery. Police will allege this relates to an incident where he assaulted a youth known to him in the Midway Point area on 28 May. He was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
A 37-year-old man from the Sorell area was charged with aggravated assault. Police will allege this relates to an incident committed on 6 May where he pointed a firearm at two people known to him, who were seated in a vehicle stopped behind him at the traffic lights in Lindisfarne. The firearm was not discharged and no one was injured during the incident. He was detained to appear in court.
If anyone has information in relation to any offence, they are asked to contact police on 131 444.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is boosting its support for Amber Electric to help take vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) technology to the next stage in Australia.
ARENA is providing an additional $13.6 million in funding to expand Amber’s EV charging project, bringing total funding to $16.8 million, which will significantly scale up the number of Australian households able to participate in V2G and smart electric vehicle (EV) charging.
Under the expanded trial, the number of participating households with V2G capability will grow from 50 to 1,000, allowing more EV owners to export power from their cars back to the grid. It will also expand smart charging from 950 to 2,000 households as part of the project, enabling these trial customers to automatically charge their EVs when electricity is cheapest and lowest in emissions.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller said the expansion would address key barriers to V2G deployment in Australia.
“To unlock V2G at scale, we need to bring together customers, car makers, networks and technology providers,” Mr Miller said.
“A big part of that is giving manufacturers the confidence their vehicles will perform as expected, including through validated approaches to battery use and warranties.”
“This project brings those pieces together to demonstrate how EVs can become an active part of the energy system. That means savings for owners and better utilisation of the grid, which can bring down the cost of the network for everyone.”
The project will work with global car manufacturers, starting with BYD, to implement charging standards that allow EVs to both charge from and send energy back to the grid, while addressing key warranty concerns through real‑world battery testing and collaboration with manufacturers.
The project builds on strong early progress, with Amber already delivering its initial smart charging trial and demonstrating strong customer interest, with 25 V2G residential sites already complete.
By expanding the project at scale, ARENA expects to generate critical insights into customer behaviour, technology performance and market integration, helping to inform future policy, industry investment and broader adoption of V2G technology in Australia.
Unlocking V2G is a core focus under the Driving the Nation Program. Visit the funding page and read the latest Program Guidelines for details on how to apply.
Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development
The ACCC has today commenced Federal Court proceedings against Amazon Commercial Services Pty Ltd (Amazon AU) alleging kids backpacks in its possession or control for sale on its online marketplace failed to comply with mandatory button battery warning requirements.
This is the first Federal Court case brought by the ACCC against an online marketplace alleging non-compliance with mandatory product safety standards.
This is a priority area for the ACCC recognising the rise in unsafe consumer goods available across the economy, facilitated by the increasing scale and reach of digital markets.
The Unicorn Toddler Backpacks’ were designed for children and included a detachable light-up unicorn plush toy containing button batteries.
The ACCC alleges Amazon AU had possession or control of the backpacks in Australian fulfilment centres between 22 June and 1 November 2022, and that required warning labels were missing from the products or the plastic outer packaging, which is in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.
During the relevant period, the ACCC alleges 41 backpacks were purchased by Australian consumers through amazon.com.au. and 267 backpacks were held in Amazon’s Australian fulfilment centres as of 1 November 2022. The ACCC alleges Amazon AU had possession and control of the backpacks as part of its Fulfilment by Amazon services, which includes receiving, storing, picking, packing and shipping items for third party sellers and handling customer service and returns.
Under the Australian Consumer Law, a person must not, in or for the purposes of trade or commerce, possess or have control of goods where the supply of those goods is prohibited, including because they do not comply with mandatory button battery warning requirements. The ACCC’s case is that this applies to situations where online marketplaces have possession or control goods, in the same way it applies to other suppliers of goods.
The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, costs and other orders.
“Many Australian consumers now shop on online marketplaces. That’s why it is important that consumers have confidence and trust in digital markets, and for the ACCC to take this action, the first of its kind to come before the Federal Court,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.
“Button batteries pose a serious hazard for young children. If swallowed or inserted, they can cause severe internal burns and injury, and in some cases death. These mandatory warnings are there to help keep children safe and businesses must get them right.”
Images of the Unicorn Toddler Backpack. The unicorn toy is not physically attached to the backpack but can be attached by a band on the backpack’s front.
ACCC advice to consumers
Button batteries are dangerous to children if swallowed or inserted. They can become stuck in a child’s throat and result in serious lifelong injuries or death. Insertion of button batteries into body parts such as the ears or nose can also lead to serious injuries.
Children up to 5 years of age are at greatest risk because of their narrower oesophagus and tendency to place small objects into their mouths, ears and noses. Preventing access to button batteries is critical.
If you suspect a child has swallowed or inserted a button battery:
Call Triple Zero (000) immediately if your child is having any difficulty breathing.
Call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26. You can call at any hour for expert advice. The Poisons Information Centre can direct you to an appropriate medical facility. Not every health facility can manage injuries from button batteries.
Prompt action is critical.
Do not wait for symptoms to develop.
Do not let the child eat or drink.
Do not induce vomiting.
Further information about button battery safety including a consumer button battery guide is available on the ACCC Product Safety website.
There are four mandatory standards for button batteries and products containing button batteries. These cover how button batteries, products containing them, and packaging must be designed and tested to reduce the risk of children accessing button batteries, and the warnings and safety information that must be provided.
If you bought a product that does not comply with the mandatory standard or is unsafe, you can report it to the ACCC. We also recommend reporting it to the supplier, so they are aware of the issue. Suppliers must report any death, serious injury or serious illness associated with a consumer good that they have supplied within 2 days to the ACCC.
Background
The ACCC’s 2026/2027 Compliance and Enforcement priorities include unsafe products in digital markets and consumer product safety issues for young children, with a focus on button battery compliance.
Amazon AU is an Australian subsidiary of the US-based multinational technology company Amazon.com, Inc.
Amazon AU is one of three signatories to the Australian Product Safety Pledge, a voluntary initiative which aims to strengthen product safety measures across online business to protect consumers from safety risks when shopping online. Signatories commit to 12 product safety related actions and reporting annually on their performance against a mix of preventative and corrective measures.
Concise statement
This document contains the ACCC’s initiating court document in relation to this matter. We will not be uploading further documents in the event this initial document is subsequently amended.