Month: June 2026

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

New homeowner protections start on 1 July 2026 for domestic building contracts signed from that date on.  

The new Home Warranty insurance provides stronger protections than current domestic building insurance. You’ll be able to make a claim sooner for incomplete, defective, faulty or non-compliant work. This applies even if the builder is still trading.  

These protections cover homes up to 3 storeys and apply to contracts that are worth more than $20,000.  
  
If you’re planning to build or renovate, try to wait until 1 July 2026 before signing any building contracts. 

Cover will be available at every stage of the build: before work starts, during construction and after completion. If work hasn’t started, you can claim up to 5% of your deposit. You may also get support for accommodation, removal and storage costs if delays or faulty work cause you extra expenses. 

Find out more about Home Warranty insurance.  

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

New homeowner protections start on 1 July 2026 for domestic building contracts signed from that date on.  

The new Home Warranty insurance provides stronger protections than current domestic building insurance. You’ll be able to make a claim sooner for incomplete, defective, faulty or non-compliant work. This applies even if the builder is still trading.  

These protections cover homes up to 3 storeys and apply to contracts that are worth more than $20,000.  
  
If you’re planning to build or renovate, try to wait until 1 July 2026 before signing any building contracts. 

Cover will be available at every stage of the build: before work starts, during construction and after completion. If work hasn’t started, you can claim up to 5% of your deposit. You may also get support for accommodation, removal and storage costs if delays or faulty work cause you extra expenses. 

Find out more about Home Warranty insurance.  

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Government is another step closer to delivering its tax reforms for workers, home buyers, and businesses. 

These reforms will make it easier for Australians to buy their first home, cut taxes for over 13 million workers, and better align the tax treatment of labour and asset income.

Today the Greens have confirmed they will support passage of the first tranche of tax reform legislation.

It is now a question for the rest of the Parliament whether they will get on board with tax cuts for workers and a fairer tax system for first home buyers.

The three right wing parties voted against these tax cuts and in favour of big tax breaks for property investors in the House, and now they’re planning to vote the same way in the Senate which will mean voting against tax concessions for small businesses as well.

Government amendments to the legislation will mean all 2.7 million active small businesses and 98 per cent of all active businesses will be eligible for generous Capital Gains Tax (CGT) concessions.

The Government will make a number of additional amendments, in line with our announcement on 18 June, to provide as much certainty on the implementation details as possible.

The Government will also support amendments to the NDIS legislation to clarify the implementation of the reforms. 

In addition, the Government has agreed to support an amendment that will be moved by the Greens to ban future limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) for residential property by superannuation funds. 

Superannuation funds are generally prohibited from borrowing money to invest, with the exception of LRBAs that are used by SMSFs. 

Multiple inquiries have raised concerns that these arrangements raise risks for superannuation investors, including the 2014 Murray Financial System Inquiry conducted for the Coalition, and limiting new arrangements going forward will help protect people’s savings.

These arrangements constitute less than 1 per cent of total residential property borrowing and less than half a per cent of new residential borrowing each year.

These changes don’t in any way change the tax arrangements for superannuation, don’t impact any existing SMSF borrowing arrangements and provide time to finalise arrangements that are in train.

Labor built superannuation and we’ll always look to make it stronger and fairer, and agreeing to these changes will reduce the risks to retirement savings while also securing passage of these important reforms to make the tax system fairer.

Passage of this important legislation this fortnight will provide workers, businesses and investors certainty about the core tax settings that will apply from 1 July 2027.

The Government will continue to develop further tranches of legislation to implement the Budget tax reform package, consistent with the process for legislating other large tax reform packages in the past.

Source: Tasmania Police

Serious Traffic Crash – Derwent Terrace New Norfolk

Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – 10:27 am.

Police are investigating a serious crash in New Norfolk this afternoon, where a teenager received serious injuries.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Derwent Terrace shortly after 4pm, after a petrol-powered pushbike collided with a bus.
Initial inquiries indicate the rider of the bike, a 17-year-old, turned right onto Derwent Terrace when he collided with a passenger bus travelling in the opposite direction.
While investigators are working to determine the location of both vehicles on the roadway, at this stage it appears the bike may have travelled into the oncoming lane, into the path of the bus.
The rider sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition after receiving medical attention at the scene.
The bike also had an 18-year-old passenger on board, who received non-life-threatening injuries.
The bus driver, a man in his 50s, was not physically injured, and there were no passengers on board at the time of the crash.
Derwent Terrace was closed for several hours while scene examinations were undertaken.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the crash and are calling for any witnesses who haven’t already provided information to contact them on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 306-22062026.
Investigators would also like to hear from anyone who has relevant dash cam or other footage of either vehicle before the crash occurred.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

Elmore’s Michie Street Playspace will be renewed thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund and a matching contribution from the City of Greater Bendigo.

City of Greater Bendigo Parks and Open Space Manager Tyrone Downie said the City welcomes the funding to renew the popular Michie Street playspace.

“The Michie Street Playspace is categorised as a neighbourhood playspace and is a much-loved local space for young Elmore residents,” Mr Downie said.

“In-line with the City’s Public Space Strategy neighbourhood playspaces are designed to cater for a local walkable catchment area.

“They provide seating, shade and play equipment like swings, slides and opportunities to climb, balance, spin and rock.

“The renewal of the Michie Street Playspace will include installation of a new multi-play-combination unit, the replacement of existing, aging shade sails, and the refurbishment of other existing play equipment, park furniture and infrastructure.

“The project will also include installation of a new concrete footpath through the playspace and landscaping works.

“In keeping with the City’s circular economy objectives most play items and park furniture will be retained and refurbished including the drinking fountain, bollards, boulders, soft-fall and mulch.

“In December 2025 the City called for residents from small townships communities to submit their ideas for the City to apply for funding through the Tiny Towns Grant Program.

“The City is very pleased that we have been successful in obtaining this funding through the Tidy Towns Fund to undertake this project.”

Works to renew the playspace are expected to commence in the second half of 2026 for completion in early 2027.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

consider Keir Starmer a friend and I’m thinking of him on what must be a very tough day.

Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business. 

When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour Party that he led back to Government in 2024.

I’m grateful for the opportunities we had to work together to strengthen our AUKUS defence and security partnership, support the brave people of Ukraine and keep children safe from the damage that social media can do.  

I wish Keir, Victoria and their children well with everything the future holds.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police are investigating a road crash involving a pedestrian and a single vehicle.

Police received a report early this morning from a man travelling to work who believed he had struck an object on the road. After turning his vehicle around to investigate, he located an unconscious man.

St John Ambulance attended the scene and conveyed the injured man to Royal Darwin Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver returned negative roadside alcohol and drug test results and is assisting police with their inquiries.

Chibnall Road remains closed while investigators examine the scene.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Major Crash Detectives are investigating a fatal single-vehicle rollover that occurred on Hodgson River Road yesterday.

Around 3pm, police received a report of a road crash, 10kms north of Minyerri, involving a vehicle that had rolled on Hodgson River Road near the Roper Highway.

One occupant was trapped inside the vehicle.

Police members from Mataranka and Ngukurr, along with staff from Minyerri Clinic, attended the scene.

Four people were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the crash. A man was declared deceased at the scene; however, he is yet to be formally identified.

The three remaining occupants suffered minor injuries and were transported to Minyerri Clinic for treatment.

Investigations remain ongoing.

The number of lives lost of Territory roads now stands at 15.

Source: New South Wales Health – State Government

NSW Health is advising people in Potts Point, Darlinghurst, and the Sydney CBD to be alert for signs and symptoms of measles after being notified of a confirmed case.
This case is a returned traveller from Southeast Asia, where there are ongoing outbreaks of measles.
The person visited several locations across Potts Point, Darlinghurst, and the Sydney CBD while unknowingly infectious, including a healthcare facility and backpacker’s hostel.
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 have been 51 cases of measles confirmed in NSW since 1 January 2026.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Physician, Dr Anthea Katelaris, 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,” Dr Katelaris said.
“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..
“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 Katelaris 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 factsheet. 
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: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Doreen Egg Aust Pty Ltd has paid $39,600 in penalties after the ACCC issued two infringement notices for alleged false or misleading claims that its eggs were free-range.

The ACCC alleges, and Doreen Egg admits, that Doreen Egg sold eggs labelled as ‘free range’ despite the hens not having access to an outdoor range, as required under Free Range Egg Labelling Information Standard.

More than 8,600 cartons of the mislabelled eggs were sold in May and June 2025 through two wholesalers, 30 small retailers and direct farm-gate sales.

The ACCC also alleges, and Doreen Egg admits, that the company sold eggs in cartons displaying the Australian Eggs Ltd logo, suggesting the business had sponsorship or approval from the organisation when it did not.

“Consumers often seek out and pay a premium for free-range eggs, so they need to be confident the eggs meet the legal definition of being ‘free range’,” ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said.

“Egg producers must ensure their farming practices match what their labels tell consumers.”

“The ACCC will continue to monitor the market to ensure free-range claims are truthful and accurate, and will take action where necessary,” Mr Keogh said.

In a court enforceable undertaking given to the ACCC, Doreen Egg admitted it engaged in conduct likely to contravene the Australian Consumer Law.

To prevent future mislabelling, Doreen Egg has also committed to:

• inform consumers about its misrepresentations
• independently review its compliance processes
• update packaging and traceability systems
• conduct further staff training.

In November 2024, the ACCC published guidance stating it will not take enforcement action for up to 90 days if a government-mandated housing order requires free-range poultry producers to keep chickens indoors during an avian influenza outbreak.

“Our guidance is intended to give producers certainty during a disease outbreak, but it does not change the requirement to comply with the free-range standard when no housing order applies,” Mr Keogh said.

Doreen Egg’s alleged conduct did not occur during a mandated housing order.

Background

Doreen Egg is a small egg producer based in Doreen, Victoria. It operates a four-shed farm and produces caged, cage-free and free-range eggs, which it sells through wholesalers, small retailers (including local Foodworks and IGA), and at the farm gate.

The Free Range Egg Labelling Information Standard 2017 outlines what producers must do to label eggs as ‘free range’.

Egg producers cannot label eggs as ‘free-range’ unless the eggs were laid by hens that:

• had meaningful and regular access to an outdoor range during the daylight hours of the laying cycle
• were able to roam and forage on the outdoor range
• were kept at a stocking density of 10,000 hens or less per hectare, with that outdoor stocking density prominently displayed on the packaging or signage.

By outlining the requirements for ‘free range’ eggs, the standard determines when free range egg claims can properly be made by producers. This standard operates alongside the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits certain types of false or misleading representations.

Note to editors

The payment of a penalty specified in an infringement notice is not an admission of a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (or the Free Range Egg Labelling Information Standard).

The ACCC can issue an infringement notice when it has reasonable grounds to believe a person or business has contravened certain provisions of the Australian Consumer Law.