Source: New South Wales Ministerial News
If you’re deaf, or have a hearing impairment or speech impairment, contact us via the National Relay Service.
Phone 133 677 then ask for 1300 002 642.
Bendigo:
189-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo
Heathcote:
125 High Street, Heathcote
PO Box 733 Bendigo VIC 3552
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force’s Search and Rescue Section (SRS) is currently conducting a search operation for missing 48-year-old man, Davey, who was last sighted at Engawala Community last week.
Davey was last seen walking into bushland east of Engawala Community on Wednesday 24 December.
Community members, alongside members from a nearby cattle station, conducted unsuccessful searches for Davey, and he was reported missing to police yesterday afternoon.
Davey is described as being of Aboriginal in appearance, with a thin build and black/grey hair, and was last seen wearing a grey shirt and dark pants.
Police resources have been deployed from Harts Range and Alice Springs, and a search operation is currently ongoing in the vicinity of Engawala Community. Search taskings are being carried out with aerial and drone assets supporting ground search teams made up of local police resources, including ATVs and motorbikes, alongside community members.
Anyone with information about Davey’s whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference NTP2500128421.
Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
Buying or using fireworks, which are classified as explosives in Victoria, is a crime for anyone other than a licensed pyrotechnician, whether in a public area or on private property.
WorkSafe Acting Chief Health and Safety Officer Adam Watson said fireworks were extremely dangerous in untrained hands and continued to cause serious injuries every year.
“Every summer, we see a spike of serious incidents involving unlawful possession and use of fireworks, as people put property and loved ones at risk for a few moments of entertainment,” Mr Watson said.
“Getting in trouble with the law, facing stiff penalties, and putting yourself or loved ones in danger of death or serious injury is no way to spend the festive season.”
Anyone caught illegally selling, buying or using fireworks in Victoria can face thousands of dollars in fines or even jail time under the Dangerous Goods Act.
While data from Monash University’s Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit shows fireworks-related injuries have declined in recent years – with nine emergency presentations in 2024-25 compared to 41 a decade ago – emergency services continue to respond to serious incidents.
Fire Rescue Victoria Deputy Commissioner Community Safety Joshua Fischer said that included the tragic death of a 19-year-old man killed at Kalkallo on Christmas Day last year.
“Christmas will never be the same for this young person’s family,” Mr Fischer said.
“We cannot stress enough – fireworks are dangerous and should only be handled by professionals.”
In 2024-25, CFA crews responded to 76 incidents involving the unauthorised use of fireworks, firecrackers, flares and similar items across Victoria.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the figures were a stark reminder of the dangers fireworks pose, particularly during a summer of heightened fire risk.
“With the fire activity we’ve already seen across the state, it’s more important than ever for people to remain vigilant and avoid behaviours that could spark fires,” Mr Heffernan said.
“Safety is our number one priority and we want to keep our loved ones and broader communities safe during the New Year celebrations.”
This year, 11,853 individual fireworks were removed from the community, either seized by Victoria Police or surrendered by members of the public, and a total of 16,200 fireworks were destroyed by WorkSafe.
WorkSafe’s specialist dangerous goods inspectors also seized 64,229 authorised display fireworks and other explosives in western Victoria, which had been stored without a licence.
Information about the unlawful sale, storage or use of fireworks can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by submitting a confidential crime report online.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
The government has today declared the Jewish Community Foundation, associated with the Jewish Communal Appeal, as a community charity.
We’re supporting the invaluable work of community organisations that are helping the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack and their families and bringing the community together in such difficult times.
The Jewish Communal Appeal has over 50 years of history raising and allocating funds for and to charities in NSW and ACT.
The establishment of the Jewish Community Foundation as a community charity will further support the Jewish Communal Appeal’s efforts to raise vital money for, and provide direct assistance to, those affected by the attacks.
The community charity framework started in March 2025 to ensure more money flows to charities making a real difference to people’s lives. Declaring the Jewish Community Foundation as a community charity is an important step toward deductible gift recipient status, pending Australian Taxation Office endorsement.
The Government is strengthening Australia’s charity sector, including through the recent legislation of reforms to enable the ACNC to publicly disclose investigations in the public interest, and we will continue to ensure the requirements for deductible gift recipient status are fit for purpose, consistent with the recommendations of the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism.
Our government is proud to work alongside the charitable sector to create a stronger, more generous Australia.
Source: South Australia County Fire Service
Issued on
30 Dec 2025 02:38
SA Country Fire Service (CFS) crews are currently responding to multiple structure fires at a property on South Terrace in Penola, in the Lower South East.
Approximately 50 CFS firefighters, supported by 8 fire trucks and 3 bulk water carriers, are working to contain a house and shed fire.
Firefighters are operating using breathing apparatus, and a significant amount of smoke is present in the area, including along the Penola Bypass (Riddoch Highway) and throughout parts of the township.
The fire also spread to a nearby paddock, resulting in a grass fire. Crews have brought the grass fire under control and continue to extinguish remaining hotspots.
Hazards in the area include reduced visibility due to smoke and emergency vehicles operating on local roads.
People with asthma or other breathing difficulties are advised to remain indoors, close windows and doors, or relocate to an area not affected by smoke.
Message ID 0008878
Source: South Australia County Fire Service
Issued on
29 Dec 2025 18:08
Warning area
Langhorne Creek near Starthalbyn in the Adelaide Hills.
Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke
Action
Smoke from LANGHORNE CREEK is in the Chaunceys Line Road and Kangaroo Road area.
Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.
Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.
If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.
More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force’s Search and Rescue Section (SRS) is currently conducting a search operation in Darwin Harbour.
At around 6:30pm yesterday evening, police were notified a body was sighted in the water near an anchored military vessel. The body was last seen submerging underwater shortly after police arrival to the scene.
SRS resources were deployed, and search efforts are ongoing.
The operation is being conducted using aircraft, marine vessels, rescue watercraft and ground search teams, with support from NT Surf Life Saving.
Police are seeking information from anyone who may hold concerns for a person who has failed to attend appointments or has been uncontactable, particularly in the Darwin Harbour area.
The person is described as being an adult male, Caucasian in appearance, with a slim build and medium-length grey hair and was last seen wearing a light-coloured shirt or T-shirt.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 and quote reference number NTP2500128537.
Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
Despite cooler conditions tomorrow in the Northern Country, strong gusting winds of up to 80km/hour make fire conditions dangerous.
A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of the Total Fire Ban.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB has been declared due to the expected conditions across the Northern Country tomorrow.
“Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to supress a fire should one start,” Jason said.
“Despite the cooler temperatures, the landscape is very dry so it wouldn’t take much for a fire to get out of control.
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.
“Understand the how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
For more information on what you can and can’t do visit the Can I or Can’t I page on the CFA website.
Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information.
They include:
The VicEmergency App
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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Source: Tasmania Police
Firearm used in Bridgewater wounding incident
Monday, 29 December 2025 – 2:01 pm.
Police investigations are continuing into an incident involving a firearm in Bridgewater on Sunday afternoon in which a man sustained a gunshot wound to his foot.
The injury is serious, but non life-threatening, and the 20-year-old man is receiving treatment in Royal Hobart Hospital.
The incident happened about 3.30pm on Sunday at a property in Taylor Crescent, Bridgewater.
Police believe four men arrived at the property in two separate vehicles – a white Ford Ranger and a white Ford Focus XR5 – then an altercation took place inside the house.
One man sustained a serious injury from a single shotgun blast to his foot.
Tasmania Police believe this is an isolated incident involving parties known to one another. Investigations are ongoing.
If anyone has information regarding the incident, including dash-cam or CCTV footage, or noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the Taylor Crescent area on Sunday, they should contact Tasmania Police on 131 444.
You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au. Refer OR 793562
Source: South Australia County Fire Service
Issued on
29 Dec 2025 12:46
The CFS is continuing to respond to a scrub fire 11km south of Blanchetown in the Riverland.
CFS volunteers worked overnight to contain and extinguish hot spots, having successfully halted the spread and preventing it from impacting surrounding scrub and neighboring properties.
Department for Environment and Water personnel are on the fireground today, working to extinguish any hot spots and strengthen control lines. Firefighters will also be supported by aircraft throughout the afternoon on Monday 29 December. Due to increased tourism along the river corridor, river users are urged to stay vigilant if in the area.
Crews will remain on scene until the area is deemed safe and will continue to monitor, with the heightened fire weather predicted over the coming days.
The fire has burnt approximately 4 hectares of native vegetation, including large river red gums.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and will be investigated.
This fire does not currently pose a risk to the community, however smoke may be visible around the area. To ensure your safety and that of firefighters and other emergency personnel who are working in the area, please do not enter the area unless necessary.
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Message ID 0008872