Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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ACCP to lead research into European child abuse responses

Source:

08 May 2025

ACCP researcher Dr James Herbert will lead the project to analyse the Barnahus model .

UniSA’s Australian Centre for Child Protection (ACCP) will lead research into the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary and child friendly response to child sexual abuse in Europe.

ACCP has been awarded a $910,000 Oak Foundation grant to help evaluate the impact of the Barnahus response to child abuse.

The Barnahus model (translates to ‘Children’s House’ in Icelandic) is a multidisciplinary and child friendly response to child sexual abuse in Europe that aims to bring together all relevant professionals under one roof, creating a safe and child-centred environment for investigation and support.

Dr James Herbert will lead the million-dollar research project with partners in the United Kingdom and Germany to better understand the variations in how countries implement Barnahus and how to measure the impact of these different models for children.

“The project will evaluate the impact of Barnahus in Europe and look at the evidence,” says Dr Herbert.

“An Australian being awarded this grant for a project in Europe is a really important recognition of the work that ACCP has done to date in advancing research into multidisciplinary responses like Children’s Advocacy Centres (CAC) and Barnahus.”

Along with research into multi-disciplinary models in Australia, Dr Herbert has a strong track record of international collaboration.

This has included a national survey of CACs in the United States to identify the scale of resources they had to support children, contributing to a review of medical services at the Chicago CAC, supervising a research project in Canada into the alignment of multi-disciplinary teams, and serving on the international evaluation advisory committee for the Scottish ‘Bairns Hoose’.

The research team will work closely with the Barnahus Network and their membership on the project across 28 countries in Europe.

 “The Barnahus approach is an excellent example of what systems change can look like and what’s possible when we put children at the centre of our considerations,” Dr Herbert says. “Long term, I’m hoping that we will be able to bring the learning and experience from this work back to Australia.”

The ACCP has received the Oak Foundation grant under their Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Programme.

The ACCP is Australia’s premier research centre for the prevention of child abuse and neglect; the Director is currently Professor Leah Bromfield (2025 Australian of the Year for SA). It was established by the Commonwealth Government in partnership with the University of South Australia in 2004 to better prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect by helping to not only grow the evidence base but also translate it into practice.

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Contact for interview: Dr James Herbert M: +61 402 298 734 E: james.herbert@unisa.edu.au

Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

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K’gari’s annual planned burning program ignites for 2025

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 7 May 2025

The flames of protection and renewal are lighting up K’gari once again as the island’s annual collaborative planned burning program sparks into action.

From now through July, fire-trained Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers and their firefighting partners will be leading the charge across key areas of the island to safeguard its unique ecosystems and protect vital infrastructure.

After a soggy start to the year, including the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and a bustling Easter holiday season, QPWS has officially launched this year’s planned burn initiative.

In late April, the first planned burns were carefully conducted at the Dundubara camping area.

Over a two-day operation, rangers expertly applied low-intensity fire to reduce fuel loads around the popular campground and nearby dingo exclusion fence.

The result was a safer, more resilient landscape – better prepared for bushfire season and the next phase of aerial planned burns.

Senior Ranger Linda Behrendorff emphasised the importance of timing and ecological balance.

“Now is the prime time for planned burning on K’gari,” Ranger Linda said.

“We take many factors into account – like seasonal wildlife movements, peak visitor periods, and recent weather patterns – to ensure every burn benefits the environment and the community.”

Planned burns play a critical role in QPWS’s long-term fire management strategy.

By creating a diverse mosaic of burnt and unburnt areas, these efforts help reduce bushfire intensity, support biodiversity, and promote healthier ecosystems across the K’gari section of Great Sandy National Park.

Visitors to K’gari over the coming months are encouraged to stay informed, respect Ranger instructions, and look out for signage related to fire operations.

For your safety and the safety of others:

  • Never enter closed areas
  • Only light campfires in designated zones
  • If smoke is present, stay indoors, close windows and doors, and keep respiratory medication handy

For the latest updates, visit the QPWS Fire Management webpage or stay connected via Park Alerts and @QldParkAlerts on X (formerly Twitter).

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Kondalilla National Park temporary closure

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 7 May 2025

Parts of Kondalilla National Park, including the Kondalilla Falls Lower Circuit are temporarily closed due to damage from flash flooding.

Recent heavy rainfall and severe weather in the Blackall Range has resulted in damage to bridges and tracks in the national park.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Rangers are working to assess and repair the damage and will re-open parts of the Kondalilla Falls when it is safe to do so.

These measures have been enforced to ensure the safety of visitors.

Sections of Kondalilla National Park remain open:

  • Picnic Creek Circuit
  • Kondalilla Falls Lookout
  • Kondalilla Falls Rock Pools
  • Access to Flat Rock and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk

Visitors are being urged to check Park Alerts for up-to-date information on protected area closures.

QPWS will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates when the protected areas are safe to reopen.

The public is urged to obey all signs and directions from Rangers to ensure their safety.

Media contact:                 DETSI Media Unit on (07) 3339 5831 or media@des.qld.gov.au

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Free waste disposal options in Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

You can dispose of e-waste at either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centre.

In brief:

  • Many household items cannot go in your kerbside bins.
  • There are ways to dispose of these free of charge – even if they are large.
  • This article outlines how you can do this.

Do you have old household items sitting around that can’t go in your kerbside bins?

You may not know of the free services you can take advantage of, to declutter your home and save money in the process.

Free drop-off at resource management centres

If you’d rather get rid of things yourself, you may be able to drop them to a resource management centre for free.

Canberra has two resource management centres:

Both locations are open 7:30am– 5:00pm, seven days a week. They are closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day.

When dropping your items at the resource management centres, please ensure they are sorted and clearly identifiable.

There will be a charge for mixed loads which are not easily visible.

Batteries and items with built-in batteries

Plenty of household items cannot go in kerbside bins. Batteries, for example, are classed as hazardous waste and can cause fires if disposed of incorrectly.

There are  many options to dispose of them.

You can take your batteries and devices with built-in batteries – including damaged or fire affected batteries – to the hazardous waste collection area at either the Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres.

There are also over 50 B-cycle drop off points for household batteries located around Canberra.

Find out more about where to drop off batteries.

Other hazardous waste

You can also drop off small amounts of other hazardous waste for free. Look out for the hazardous waste collection area at either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres.

You can dispose of:

  • liquid hazardous waste, such as aerosol cans (full), caustic materials, household cleaning agents, cooking oils, household pesticides, photographic chemicals, domestic poisons, domestic pool chemicals
  • helium party balloon cylinders
  • fire extinguishers
  • gas bottles
  • paint (see the paintback website for more information)
  • fluorescent tubes (including compact fluorescent tubes and bulbs)
  • automotive fuels.

Electronic waste (e-waste)

You can dispose of e-waste, such as computers and laptops, televisions, tablets, mobile phones, printers and gaming consoles, at either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres.

There is a limit of 15 items per person (a keyboard, mouse and monitor equals one item).

You can also dispose of electrical appliances such as kettles, microwaves, toasters, hairdryers, coffee machines, irons and fans for free.

White goods

You don’t need to pay to take white goods to either Mugga Lane or Mitchell resource management centres. White goods include items such as fridges, freezers, clothes dryers, washing machines, dishwashers and ovens.

It’s also worth noting ActewAGL offers a fridge buyback program. Working fridges can be collected for recycling and a $30 rebate applied to the account holder’s electricity account.

Green waste

Green waste bin overloaded? You can take your excess green waste to Corkhill Bros for free. This is located at Mugga Lane only.

Fees apply to oversized (branches or trees larger than 20cm in diameter and/or two metres in length) residential and commercial green waste.

Find out more about your green waste disposal options.

Household recycling

Household recycling can be dropped off for free at the Mugga Lane resource management centre or one of the five recycling drop off centres located at Mitchell, Gungahlin, Belconnen, Woden and Tuggeranong. You can take:

  • paper
  • cardboard
  • glass bottles and jars
  • aluminium and steel cans
  • plastic bottles and containers.

Corflute signs

Corflute signs are accepted for free at the corflute collection bins at Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres.

Please remove any paper, glue, plastic ties, stakes and metal from the signs.

Find out more about what is accepted at the resource management centres, and how much you can dispose of.

Give your items a new life

Remember, if your items can be reused, you may be able to drop them off for free at Goodies Junction – located at both Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres.

Find out what can be donated to Goodies Junction.

Still unsure about something? Check out ACT City Services’ A-Z guide to waste and recycling to see what can go where.

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Active travel boost for the ACT

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.

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Arrests – Aggravated assault and aggravated robbery – Jingili

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two males in relation to an aggravated assault and aggravated robbery that occurred in Jingili on Sunday 20 April.

Around 8:15pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a male and female had been assaulted while at a service station on McMillans Road.

It is alleged that as the male victim returned to his vehicle from the service station, an alleged offender approached him aggressively before punching him to the back of the head. The offender then damaged the victim’s vehicle before assaulting him again. 

A second male offender, known to the first, then approached and allegedly threw a rock through the vehicle’s window, striking the female, who was seated inside. The victims then drove away to avoid further assault and contacted police.

During the incident, a female customer at the service station attempted to leave the location; however, one of the offenders opened her vehicle door and took the keys out of the ignition.

The offender demanded money in exchange for the keys before pushing the victim to the ground and returning her keys.

Both alleged offenders subsequently fled the location.

On Tuesday 6 May, Detectives from Strike Force Trident arrested two males, aged 25 and 37-years-old, at a shopping centre on Trower Road.

The 25-year-old male was identified in connection to a separate aggravated assault that occurred in Palmerston and had been actively evading police.

The 25-year-old male has been charged with:

  • Aggravated assault x 2
  • Recklessly endanger serious harm
  • Endanger occupants of vehicle or vessel
  • Theft
  • Engage in violent conduct
  • Going armed in public

And the 37-year-old has been charged with:

  • Recklessly endanger serious harm x 2
  • Endanger occupants of vehicle or vessel
  • Engage in violent conduct
  • Going armed in public

Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Anonymous reports can be made via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Firearm seizure – Moil

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has seized a homemade firearm and other firearm equipment following an incident in Moil on Sunday.

About 4:10am, the Joint Emergency Services Communications Centre (JESCC) received multiple calls in relation to the discharge of a firearm at a residence. As part of these calls, a 43-year-old male called to self-report that he had unintentionally shot himself in the foot.

Police deployed and applied first aid to the male at the residence before he was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital by St John Ambulance in a serious but stable condition. Police seized a privately manufactured firearm following the incident.

Yesterday, members from the Firearms Audit and Enforcement Unit conducted a lawful search at the residence and subsequently seized a partially manufactured firearm, an electronic firing device for explosives and other equipment used in the manufacturing of firearms.

Investigations remain ongoing and the male is expected to be charged at a later date.

Police urge the public to be aware of the serious risks posed by illegal and privately manufactured firearms. These weapons are often unreliable and can cause severe injury or death. The illegal manufacturing of firearms is an offence against the Northern Territory Firearms Act 1997 and carries penalties up to 10 years imprisonment.

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms, their misuse, or individuals involved in manufacturing firearms is strongly encouraged to report it to the police on 131 444. Reports can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via Crime Stoppers NT.

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UPDATE: Charges – Aggravated robbery – Katherine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has charged two male youths in relation to an aggravated robbery last Thursday.

Yesterday, Strike Force Cereberus members located and arrested two youths, both aged 15-years-old. They have both since been charged with Aggravated Robbery, Unlawfully Cause Serious Harm and Theft. One of the youths has also been charged with Breach of Bail.

Both youths will appear in court at a later date.  

The elderly female victim remains in hospital with a broken hip.

Senior Sergeant Warren Scott said “Police will continue to target those who choose to put the community in harms way. These youths have preyed on a vulnerable elderly woman and their actions will not be tolerated.

“Strike Force Cereberus members have done a fantastic job in this investigation to ensure these offenders are put before the courts. I commend their dedication and professionalism to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our Katherine community members.”

Anyone with information, particularly CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500045006. You can anonymously report via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

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Arrest – Siege – Gray

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 55-year-old male after a siege occurred in Gray overnight.

Around 3:50pm on Tuesday 6 May 2025, police attended an address in relation to enquires about a recent aggravated assault report. When the occupant of the residence answered the door, officers asked if a woman he allegedly assaulted was there, at which point he became aggressive and denied that the female victim was present. He then threatened to throw hot water on the attending officers.

A short time later, the offender allowed the victim to exit the residence before locking himself inside.

Police advised he was under arrest and requested he exit the residence.  It is alleged he then threw hot water through the screen door twice, hitting two officers. 

The offender subsequently barricaded himself inside and threatened to self-harm before allegedly throwing hot water on a third officer who attended to assist with the apprehension.

Additional resources were called, and a cordon of the area was set before negotiators attended and began discussions with the male. He continued to present at the door, allegedly displaying an edged weapon in the process.

At approximately 1:55am, the screen door and front window were removed from the residence to provide a clearer view of the offender while negotiations continued.

Later, around 6:05am, police deployed OC canisters into the property allowing officers to enter the residence and safely arrest the 55-year-old male without further incident.

Investigations remain ongoing and the 55-year-old remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

The assaulted officers did not require medical treatment. 

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

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Call for information – Crime series – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a crime series overnight.

About 8pm, police received reports of an alleged aggravated robbery along Stephens Road, where a vehicle pulled up alongside the male and two unknown offenders with machetes threatened him and demanded cash and his backpack. As a result, the male’s backpack and wallet containing $100 were stolen and the youths fled in the vehicle.

Shortly after, police received reports of an alleged aggravated robbery on Larapinta Drive, where two males with machetes confronted a male who was walking. The victim ran from the alleged offenders and dropped his phone. The youths picked up his phone; however, upon the victim asking for it back they demanded money in return. The victim handed over $300 before they gave his phone back and fled the scene in the vehicle.

At 8:17pm, police received reports of an alleged aggravated robbery on Dixon Road, where a female was pushed off her e-scooter and threatened by four unknown offenders who alighted from a vehicle. One was allegedly holding a knife while they threatened the victim for money. The victims e-scooter and purse was stolen and the offenders fled the scene in the vehicle.

Police attended to the three victims and obtained statements. Later in the night, police CCTV operators observed the vehicle travelling along Barrett Drive before it fled South of the Gap. Police were called to the scene; however, the vehicle fled before police arrival.

About 11:20pm, police located the vehicle abandoned on a dirt track near Karnte Camp.

The vehicle has been seized for forensic testing and the Crime command have carriage of the investigation.

Anyone with information in relation to the crime series, particularly anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incidents, is urged to contact police on 131 444. You can anonymously report crime via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or on https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.