Month: May 2026

Source:

Issue date: Monday, 11 May 2026

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Development, Infrastructure and Transport’s inquiry into local government funding will hear from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water tomorrow.

The Committee wants to better understand how the department manage their important roles in the financial sustainability of local governments in Australia contending with climate change, and matters relating to the environment, heritage, sustainable energy use and water.

Committee Chair, Mrs Fiona Phillips, said “the Committee will be particularly interested in hearing about support provided by the department for local governments through its programs, including the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program and the Reef Guardian Councils Grant Program”.

The Urban Rivers and Catchments Program is a tied, project-based grant program, which provides funding to projects that improve waterways across urban, outer-urban and regional centres, with local councils being a key recipient. In their submission to the inquiry, the department outlined that $85 million of this $200 million program across 2022-28 will fund local governments directly (across 41 projects), with individual project funding ranging from $189,000 to $10 million.

Through the Reef Guardian Councils Grant Program, the department also funds 19 councils to complete local, place-based activities for the protection and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef.

An additional program – the Local Environmental Projects Program – has allocated nearly $20 million for local governments, with current projects including those with the Greater Bendigo City Council to revitalise Bendigo Creek, the City of Vincent to support biodiversity in Hyde Park, and the City of Kwinana to support tree planting.

The Committee will explore what barriers and inefficiencies local governments encounter when applying for and accessing this funding, and how the Commonwealth might be able to enhance the productivity, coordination, and overall effectiveness of funding delivered to local governments.

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

Public hearing

Date: Thursday, 14 May 2026
Time: 11.00 am – 12.00 pm
Location: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra

A program for the public hearing is available on the inquiry website. A live broadcast of the hearing will also be available on the APH website.

Media inquiries

Mrs Fiona Phillips, MP
Media Adviser: Katrina Condie 0437 662 967

For background information

Committee Secretariat
02 6277 2232
rdit.reps@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 find details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

An 82-year-old woman has been found safe after being reported missing in Yulara yesterday afternoon.

Around 12pm, the 82-year-old tourist was noticed missing by family members from a hotel in the Yulara township, Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory Police Force (NTPF) was notified around 2:40pm after initial searches by family failed to locate the woman. The NTPF’s Search and Rescue Section (SRS) was stood up and initiated a coordinated search operation.

Shortly before 5pm, the missing woman was located alive in bushland, approximately one kilometre from the township and around 100 metres from a roadway.

She was assessed at the local clinic and reunited with family.

Search Mission Coordinator for the incident, Senior Constable Michael Bishop of the SRS said, “The harsh environmental conditions in the region can pose significant risks, and all persons should ensure they are adequately prepared when travelling in remote areas of the Territory.

“I would like to praise the swift and coordinated response of local police, Northern Territory Fire and Rescue members, and Yulara resort staff, whose efforts contributed to the successful outcome.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 19-year-old male has been charged in relation to an assault that occurred in Alice Springs on Friday evening.

At 10:50pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a 55-year-old male had been assaulted on Todd Street.

It is alleged a 19-year-old male struck the victim to the head from behind causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. When the victim stood back up, the offender allegedly again struck him to the head multiple times resulting in him losing consciousness for a brief period of time.

Members of the public rendered assistance until St John Ambulance arrived.

Police responded and CCTV was reviewed, and the 19-year-old offender was located and arrested nearby.

He has since been charged with Recklessly endanger serious harm and Resist police in execution of their duty. He was remanded in custody to appear in court today.

Anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour is urged to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency, dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a robbery and the theft of a motor vehicle on Sunday night in Lajamanu Community.

Around 7:15pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre received reports of a robbery and subsequent stolen bus in Lajamanu Community. It is alleged the victim was confronted in his driveway by 6-7 male youths throwing rocks and threatening him with large sticks, demanding the keys for his vehicle.

Police later received multiple reports of the vehicle driving dangerously within the community.

At 9:00pm, police recovered the stolen motor vehicle on the Tanami Highway; the offenders had fled the scene.

The vehicle was severely damaged and inoperable.

Acting Senior Sergeant John J Gregory said: “The vehicle is a critical asset within the community; a specially fitted wheelchair assessable minibus used within the community for transporting patients to dialysis treatment.

“Local police and Strike Force Cerberus are currently investigating the matter and call on anyone with information about the incident to contact police on 131444 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

After moving home to her local town of Meerlieu, just two kilometres from the fire shed, Zoe Blandford jumped at the opportunity to volunteer for CFA to reconnect and lend a hand.

Zoe’s skillset stemmed as a valuable asset to CFA and has been extremely transferrable across a number of functions.

Now working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in the rostering team, Zoe has switched from dispatching trucks to ambulances, but her expertise continues to strengthen in both fields.

“Coming from an industry that was traditionally male dominated and being exposed to so many different safety protocols and processes has really helped me transition to becoming a CFA volunteer,” Zoe said.

“Holding my heavy rigid truck license has been useful for the brigade, given I used to drive mine dump trucks. We are always in need of more truck drivers, so I’m glad I’m able to assist there.”

A passion for CFA has been passed down through the family tree, with her brother now Captain following in their uncles’ footsteps, and Zoe taking the reins of 3rd Lieutenant from their father.

A fond memory at CFA for Zoe has been participating in the South East Women’s Challenge Camp with her twin sister, a fellow firefighter nearby at Lindenow. Both praised the success and empowerment of the camp.

“It was really rewarding being in a space for just women, where everyone felt comfortable, supported and encouraged by other like-minded people. We really enjoyed it,” Zoe said.

“Finding time initially to commit to the General Firefighter Course can be hard as we all live busy lives and have family commitments, but once you work through it at your own pace it is great, and it is nice to have opportunities such as the camp to look forward to.

“We don’t do regular training at Meerlieu so I have been joining Stratford and Lindenow as often as I can. They have both been amazing and very welcoming of us joining them.

“It helps to keep your skills fresh and to build on your knowledge, all while getting to know people in the neighbouring brigades that you end up seeing on the fireground.”

Meerlieu Fire Brigade has had a number of new members join the ranks in the last twelve months, following a simple message sent from Zoe and her brother reaching out to local members who had not considered volunteering before.

“While some have come from family farms, one new member just happened to be helping his neighbour with a fire while we were there responding. Once we were finished cleaning up, we asked him if he would be keen to join and be a part of the action, and he said yes!

“It was a natural fit for him given his proactive approach and he got to see the work we do first-hand. He is now one of our most active members.”

Zoe reflects positively on the experience she gained on her first major strike team deployment at the Munro fires and was impressed by the way everyone worked together.

“Being a part of any callout or strike team just encourages me to continue to learn and try and be the best I can be so that when I am out on the fireground I can trust myself to make the right decisions and that everyone around me is safe and we achieve our goals,” Zoe said.

Meerlieu Fire Brigade is actively seeking volunteers who are available to respond to incidents during the day, if you’re interested in joining CFA or learning more about volunteering, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer.

Submitted by	CFA media

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 14-year-old male following an aggravated robbery and subsequent police pursuit overnight.

Around 11:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of youth disturbances in Driver.

A 27-year-old male victim approached police and reported he had been pulled from his vehicle and assaulted with large rocks.

Strike Force Trident observed the allegedly stolen motor vehicle leave Driver and initiated a pursuit after CCTV operators tracked it along Tiger Brennan Drive.

The pursuit continued along Dick Ward Drive, Coconut Grove when the stolen vehicle failed to navigate the corner at Totem Road and crashed through a fence, coming to rest against a building.

Three youths fled the scene on foot while a 14-year-old was arrested.

Strike Force Trident continues to investigate the incident.

Additional offenders are yet to be identified and anyone with information that may assist including footage, is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference P26135085, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

MURRAY JONES, HOST: Well, as we know, Cairns is turning 150 years of age this year and the old girl at the radio station is turning 90 years of age. The first radio station here in Cairns, she’s even older than me. To help me celebrate this special occasion, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Good morning. How are you today?

 

< ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: 

< JONES:

< PRIME MINISTER

< JONES

< PRIME MINISTER

< JONES

< PRIME MINISTER

< JONES

< PRIME MINISTER

< JONES

< PRIME MINISTER

< JONES

< PRIME MINISTER

< JONES

< PRIME MINISTER:

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 15-year-old male in relation to an armed person incident that occurred yesterday in Alice Springs.

Around 5:55pm, an off-duty police officer observed a male allegedly armed with a katana in Larapinta. A second off-duty police officer further reported that the armed male, in the company of another male youth, had approached them while walking with a female and her child on Albrecht Drive and made threats to kill them. The female fled on foot with the child while the police officer confronted the offender.

The offender fled the scene and was subsequently arrested a short time later by responding police. No injuries were reported.

He has since been charged with:

• 2 x Aggravated assault
• 2 x Make threat to kill
• 1 x Armed in public

He was remanded to appear in court today.

Anyone who witnesses crime or antisocial behaviour is urged to contact police on 131 444. In an emergency, dial 000. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

SALLY SARA, HOST: Well, the Federal Government is tomorrow handing down a high-stakes Budget amid stubborn inflation and significant global uncertainty. The Federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers promises the Budget will take the hard road of reform rather than the path of least resistance, flagging tax changes to tackle intergenerational equity. Anthony Albanese is the Prime Minister and joins me now. Prime Minister, welcome back to Radio National Breakfast.

< ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

< SARA: 

< PRIME MINISTER

Source: Tasmania Police

Traffic operation – East Devonport

Sunday, 10 May 2026 – 8:28 am.

On Friday afternoon, Western Road Policing Services intercepted 165 motorists during a 45- minute traffic operation on Brooke Street, East Devonport.
Officers conducted:• 165 breath tests• 6 oral fluid (drug) tests• And 1 vehicle defect was detected
During the operation, police detected a 28 year old Devonport woman driving with a breath alcohol reading of 0.189, more than four times the legal limit.
The woman, who was travelling to her workplace at the time, was issued an immediate 12 month disqualification notice and will be summoned to appear in the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
A 45-year-old Man from Port Sorell was detected drug driving and will also be summoned to appear at the Devonport Magistrates Court at a later date.
Acting Sergeant Samantha Hardy said there is simply no excuse for driving while impaired.
“Every person who gets behind the wheel has a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe,” she said.
“Driving under the influence remains one of the leading contributors to serious and fatal crashes, and police will continue to conduct targeted operations to prevent dangerous behaviour on our roads.”