Month: June 2026

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has raised the bar for online marketplaces to protect consumers from unsafe products bought online, strengthening the Australian Product Safety Pledge in collaboration with major online marketplaces.

Temu and Gumtree have now joined Amazon Australia, eBay Australia and AliExpress in committing to strengthening product safety measures on their platforms beyond current legal requirements. The online marketplaces will also report annually to the ACCC on their performance.

“We have long been concerned about the volume of unsafe consumer products available for sale online, and will continue working with online marketplaces to ensure they proactively reduce product safety risks for consumers.” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

Launched in 2020, the pledge is a voluntary initiative administered by the ACCC that sets a benchmark for online product safety measures to benefit consumers.

By signing up to the pledge, online marketplaces agree to proactively strengthen their product safety policies and initiatives in a framework where expectations are public and results are measurable.

The online marketplace landscape is evolving as online shopping grows, with a diverse range of business models allowing sellers in Australia and overseas to list products for sale.

“With Australian households increasingly shopping online from an evolving range of marketplaces, it is critical that consumers are able to make choices that are safe. The pledge goes beyond the existing law thereby adding protection for consumers now and into the future,” Ms Lowe said.

“We are pleased that online marketplaces have committed to expanding monitoring for unsafe products on their platforms, undertaking regular sweeps to identify and remove unsafe products relisted for sale, and taking certain action when sellers fail to manage product safety issues.”

Signatories have made 15 commitments – up from 12. A number of the commitments enhance transparency of and accountability for actions, which the signatories will report on yearly through enhanced Key Performance Indicators.

These changes were earmarked in the ACCC’s 2025-26 product safety priorities, while targeting unsafe consumer goods in digital markets is an ACCC compliance and enforcement priority for 2026-27.

While the pledge is voluntary, it supplements business obligations under relevant legislation and does not prevent the ACCC or other regulatory authorities from taking enforcement action where appropriate. “All online marketplaces selling into Australia should be taking the kinds of actions set out in the pledge to protect consumers from unsafe products. We look forward to working with signatories and prospective signatories on achieving improved safety outcomes for consumers,” Ms Lowe said.

More information is available at the ACCC Product Safety website, including contact information for prospective signatories.

Background

The Australian Product Safety Pledge was modelled on a similar initiative in the European Union that has helped remove dangerous products from online marketplaces. Several other countries have since established similar pledge initiatives.

The pledge is voluntary and outlines good practice approaches expected of industry.

The ACCC supports businesses in their efforts to comply with the pledge by maintaining and updating the ACCC Product Safety website, facilitating regular meetings with signatories and sharing information on emerging product safety issues.

Adopting the pledge does not replace the need to ensure overall compliance with the Competition and Consumer Act (CCA), including the Australian Consumer Law, or other relevant legislation. It does not prevent the ACCC from taking action against signatories for breaches of the CCA. The ACCC is not endorsing the performance or compliance approach of any online marketplace by virtue of them signing on to the pledge.

Signatories include online businesses that facilitate marketplace services that include business to consumer, or consumer to consumer, transactions via the internet (online marketplaces).

The Product Safety Pledge commenced with four signatories in November 2020.

In 2024–25, the signatories removed over 31,000 unsafe product listings from their online marketplaces as a result of consulting the ACCC Product Safety website, and other relevant information sources about recalled and unsafe products. Additionally, the signatories collectively removed over 2,700 unsafe listings after receiving a take-down notice from the ACCC or other Australian regulatory authority.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 16-year-old male has been arrested by Northern Territory Police after allegedly threatening multiple community members while armed with a knife.

Police were patrolling Karama late last night after receiving reports of a youth chasing a person with a knife.

Shortly after 1am, a second report was received from a residence in Malak, where the youth was allegedly seen in the front yard of a property carrying a knife. The youth fled the scene after being confronted by the homeowner, who provided police with a description.

A third report was then received from a security guard in Karama, who alleged the youth threatened him with a knife and attempted to steal his vehicle.

It is alleged the security guard was attempting to exit the car park of a unit complex when the youth, armed with a knife, blocked his path at the gate and made threats towards him.

Strike Force Trident, Dog Operations and General Duties members quickly responded, establishing a cordon around the unit complex. The youth allegedly fled on foot before being apprehended in Mulla Mulla Park.

The 16-year-old was arrested without further incident.

Senior Sergeant Darren Burns said police recovered a large knife after officers allegedly observed the youth discard it while attempting flee.

“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured during this incident.

“Strike Force Trident continues to investigate, and we can expect charges to be laid. The youth is known to police for previous offences including robbery, possessing a controlled weapon, making threats to kill, property damage, possessing a thing to administer a drug, and breaching bail.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police arrested three male youths on Saturday evening following a reported break-in at a primary school in Wulagi.

At around 5:30pm, police received reports of a break-in at the school, along with the activation of the building’s alarm system. The caller provided police with a description of one of the youths, who was seen running towards Wulagi Park.

General Duties members attended the scene and located three youths nearby. One youth allegedly admitted to gaining entry to the school using a brick.

The three youths, aged 12, 14 and 15, all known to police, were arrested and taken to Palmerston Watch House. Two have been charged with breaching their bail conditions, while investigations are ongoing and further charges may be laid.

Senior Sergeant Darren Burns said this is appalling behaviour by a group of youth offenders.

“Significant damage was caused to the school, including two shattered glass doors, a smashed fire alarm panel, and the activation of the alarm system. Powder fire extinguishers were also discharged throughout the building, causing further damage and disruption.”

Strike Force Trident continues to investigate. Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may assist investigators to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: Tasmania Police

Charges laid following altercation in Hobart

Monday, 22 June 2026 – 9:37 am.

A 41-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman have been charged with wounding following a disturbance in Hobart yesterday afternoon.
Police were called to the scene near the Hobart Citadel on Elizabeth Street shortly after 3pm, following reports of an altercation involving a group of people known to each other.
During the incident, a man sustained two stab wounds to his upper body, and a second man was struck to the head.
Both were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police have confirmed all the parties involved are known to each other, and it is believed the altercation was linked to an ongoing dispute between them.
The man and the woman were both bailed to appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court on 5 October.

Source: Tasmania Police

Police investigating disturbance on Elizabeth Street, Hobart

Sunday, 21 June 2026 – 4:22 pm.

Two people are in custody after a disturbance in Elizabeth Street, Hobart, this afternoon.
Just after 3 pm, police were called to the incident in Elizabeth Street, near Patrick Street.
A group of people who were known to each other had been involved in an altercation.
One man received a stab wound to his upper body, and another man was struck on the head.
They were both taken to hospital, and their injuries are not believed to be life threatening. Two other men were treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Police have asked people to avoid the area while investigations are continuing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam vision is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote OR 808744 or incident number 223-21062026.
Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can also be provided anonymously.

Source: Tasmania Police

Structure Fire – Warring Street, Ravenswood

Sunday, 21 June 2026 – 11:54 am.

Police are investigating a fire at a property in Warring Street, Ravenswood, overnight.
Police were called about 12.10am.  The unit is part of a complex, which is unoccupied.
Initial investigations indicate the fire was deliberately lit.
Police would like to hear from anyone who has information about the incident, or CCTV or dashcam vision in the Warring St area between 11:15pm and 12:15am.
Please contact police on 131 444 and quote OR808701.
Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Tasmania Police

High Range Speeding – Launceston CBD

Sunday, 21 June 2026 – 8:57 am.

On Friday 19 June, Northern Road Policing Services conducted a targeted operation in the Launceston CBD focused on hooning.
Just after 10 pm, they intercepted a white Volkswagon Golf R after it was detected travelling at almost twice the speed limit along George Street.
The driver was clocked at 77 km/h in a signed 40 km/h area while it was still raining.
The 40 year old male driver from Newstead was issued with a fine of $615 and 5 demerit points. He was just 1 km below the automatic 3 month disqualification period.
Police would like to remind motorists to always obey speed limits and drive to the conditions.
Remember that police could be down the road or around the next corner, so always drive responsibly to help look after everyone on our roads.

Source: Tasmania Police

Fatal motor vehicle crash, Hillwood

Saturday, 20 June 2026 – 8:51 am.

A 52-year-old George Town woman has died after a two-vehicle crash at Hillwood yesterday.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Batman Highway near the intersection of Craigburn Road at 2.55pm.
Two vehicles, a Subaru station wagon and a Hyundai hatchback, were involved in the collision.
The 42-year-old male driver of the Subaru was transported to the Launceston General Hospital by ambulance, and is in a stable condition.
The driver of the Hyundai was sadly declared deceased at the scene.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the crash. It appears the Suburu has veered into the lane of the oncoming Hyundai.
Batman Highway was closed for several hours while investigations were conducted.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or may have dash cam footage is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au.
Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two men following a violent disturbance that occurred in Yuendumu on the weekend.

At 1am on Saturday, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received multiple reports of a large group of people fighting, some armed with weapons, as well as multiple vehicles on fire.

Local police attended and the group was dispersed. Two vehicles were observed to be completely burnt and one severely damaged.

No injuries were reported to police and two men aged 19 and 36 were subsequently arrested.

A large group reformed a short time later, however, was dispersed again by police.

Both offenders have since been charged with:

• Arson
• Recklessly Endanger Serious Harm
• Take Part in an Unlawful Assembly
• Going Armed in Public
• Damage Property

They were remanded to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court today.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference P26175437, or attend their local police station. 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 has arrested and charged a 25-year-old male following a domestic violence incident in Palmerston in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Around 12:55am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a vehicle had crashed through a fence and struck a pedestrian in Palmerston.

The driver allegedly fled the scene on foot.

Multiple police units responded including members from the Dog Operations Unit, Strike Force Trident, Road Policing and Palmerston general duties.

An adult female victim was located at the scene and conveyed to the Royal Darwin Hospital by St John Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Patrols of the area were conducted and the 25-year-old driver, who is the partner of the victim, was located and arrested without incident.

He has since been charged with:

• Recklessly Endangering Life
• Aggravated Assault
• Breach DVO
• Damage to Property
• Drive Under Influence of Alcohol

He was remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court today.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.