Source: Statement from CCC Chairperson on the Independent Crime and Corruption Commission Reporting Review
Today, at the first meeting of the Standing Council of Attorneys-General (SCAG) of the 48th Parliament, Attorneys-General from across Australia agreed to drive decisive action to deliver a national approach and address systemic gaps in Working with Children Checks (WWCCs) to improve the safety of children across Australia.
Source: Mental Health Australia
Safer journeys are on the way in northern NSW with work starting next week to install Audio Tactile Line Marking (ATLM) on the Pacific Highway from Harwood to Tweed Heads.
Transport for NSW ED Partnerships & Integration North Greg Collins said the NSW Government is investing $3.436 million in this safety upgrade through the Saving Lives Accelerated Program.
“Also known as rumble strips, ATLM reduces the risk of head-on and run-off-road crashes by alerting drivers if their vehicle starts to veer out of their lane, and will be installed on almost 100 kilometres of the dual carriageway,” Mr Collins said.
“If a vehicle leaves its lane where ATLM is installed, whether through fatigue, distraction or inattention, the rumble strips make a noise to immediately alert the driver to take corrective action to avoid a serious accident.
“This makes them particularly effective at night or in bad weather, and can reduce the number of crashes by 15 to 25 per cent, saving lives and preventing injuries.
“This work on the Pacific Highway is just one part of the $46 million Saving Lives Accelerated Program, with work underway and upcoming across the state.”
Upcoming work on the Pacific Highway will be carried out from Harwood to Tweed Heads, where a total of 300 kilometres of rumble strips will be installed over 96 kilometres of road.
Crews will be working on this section of the highway from Monday 18 August from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturdays. Some work may be carried out at night between 8pm and 4am. Work is expected to be completed by 19 December 2025, weather permitting.
Lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will be in place during the work.
Work to install ATLM on section one from Karuah to Frederickton and section two from Colombatti to Maclean started in June and is expected to be completed by early November 2025, weather permitting.
Source: New South Wales – News
A man has been arrested after multiple searches earlier this week.
On Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 August Serious and Organised Crime Branch detectives, with the assistance of the Dog Operations Unit, searched multiple premises at West Croydon, Two Wells and Ferryden Park.
A stolen Mitsubishi Pajero was recovered along with methamphetamine, chemicals, clan lab equipment and three illegal firearms.
Two of the firearms were concealable handguns; one disguised to look like an iPhone.
A 56-year-old West Croydon man was arrested and charged with multiple serious offences including trafficking a controlled drug, possessing firearms without a licence, possessing commercial quantities of precursors and manufacturing a controlled drug.
He appeared in court yesterday (14 August) and was remanded by the Adelaide Magistrates Court until 20 August.
Anyone with information on the sale, supply, manufacture or distribution of illicit drugs is asked to contact Crime Stoppers online at www/crimestoppers.com.au or phone 1800 333 000.
CO2500033588/CO2500033750
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating after a death in Rosebery earlier today during a police operation.
At 7am, police officers attached to the Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team executed a search warrant at an address on Lancewood Street, Rosebery.
A 62-year-old man and his wife were present at the residence while the warrant was being executed.
At approximately 8am, the man obtained a knife from within the residence and stabbed himself multiple times in the chest.
Police deployed a taser in an attempt to prevent the man from further harming himself. An officer also received a laceration to his hand while trying to disarm him.
Officers provided immediate first aid to the 62-year-old. St John Ambulance also arrived at the scene soon after but the man succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased at the scene.
The injured officer is currently receiving treatment for the injury to his hand.
A crime scene has been declared, and Lancewood Street, Rosebery is currently closed.
Major Crime Investigators remain on scene and the incident is being treated as a death in custody.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P25217042. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Australian National Party
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 15/08/2025
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for General Practitioners (GPs) working in the ACT who are interested in managing and prescribing medications and diagnosing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The EOI will help shape the pilot program, which aims to improve affordability and support timely access to assessment and treatment for patients, while supporting GPs to work to an expanded scope of practice.
This announcement builds on the ACT Government’s election commitment to expand the role for GPs in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and will help deliver a more integrated healthcare system for Canberrans.
This program will expand on the ACT’s existing continuation prescribing provisions, which enable a paediatrician, psychiatrist or neurologist to hand over prescribing to a GP for a period of two years for patients over the age of four.
Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said calling for EOIs for the pilot marks an important step in the program and in improving access to care in the ACT.
“The ACT Government acknowledges the pressures and barriers patients and families can sometimes experience when accessing treatments for ADHD. Expanding GP scope of practice in this space is a priority for us,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“This pilot program will help make health care more accessible, timely, and equitable for individuals and families navigating an ADHD diagnosis.
“By expanding the scope of practice for GPs to diagnose and prescribe for ADHD, we’re empowering them to play a more significant role in treatment and care for those with ADHD and making it easier for people to access the support they need sooner.”
In addition to identifying GPs who are interested in the diagnosing or prescribing streams of the pilot program, the EOI process is also seeking information on what care GPs already provide for patients with ADHD and their preferences on specific training delivery to help inform the pilot. Stakeholder engagement and consultation on the pilot program will continue over the coming months and will help shape the pilot framework.
To ensure the safe and effective implementation of this expanded scope of practice, participating GPs will be required to complete specific further training.
The ACT Government is also working closely with the Federal Government and other jurisdictions towards a nationally consistent approach to expanding GP scope of practice for ADHD diagnosis and medication management.
– Statement ends –
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases
Source: Premier of Victoria
With The Life of a Showgirl confirmed and pre-orders now live, NAB is warning Taylor fans to watch out for scammers hoping to cash in on the hype.
From fake pre-order pages and dodgy merch sites to bogus “leaked track” downloads, criminals are looking to turn Taylor-mania into quick cash.
On average, NAB stops and recovers close to $2m in scam payments each month*. NAB Head of Security Culture and Advisory Tessa Bowles said when excitement is high, criminals know fans will rush to make purchases, reminding people to stop, check and protect.
“Before you hand over your payment details, make sure you’re paying for the real thing, not some imitation of a showgirl,” said Ms Bowles.
Common scam red flags to watch out for:
“Stay in your Safe-Ty Era by going official,” said Ms Bowles.
“Only use links from verified pages or trusted retailors. And get there by typing the website address yourself instead of clicking on a link sent to you by someone claiming to a retailor.
“Criminals also thrive on urgency and fear. If you see ‘get in quick’ or ‘last chance offer’ on something that sounds too good to be true, pause and double-check it first.
“Buying items through social media or online marketplaces always comes with a risk. If you decide to proceed with the purchase, do so with caution, checking whether the seller has a legitimate profile, other listings and reviews.
“Using PayID can also help reduce the risk of fraud or payments being sent to the wrong account as you can see the name of the person or business when paying. Be cautious of sellers asking you to pay with gift cards or cryptocurrencies.”
NAB will always do whatever it can to get stolen money back, but once you’ve hit send it can be challenging as scammers often send funds overseas or to cryptocurrency platforms.
Australians should also make sure to update software on all their electronic devices, use strong unique passwords, and turn on multi-factor authentication when it’s available.
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank right away. And always report it to Scamwatch so others don’t get caught out.
If you’re a NAB customer, you can call 13 22 65 and ask for the Fraud team. Stay up to date with the latest scams and fraud advice available on NAB’s Security Hub.
Notes to the Editor:
For all media enquiries, please contact the NAB Media Line on 03 7035 5015
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Police have arrested two 16-year-old male youths in relation to an aggravated robbery in Woodroffe early this morning.
Around 1:10am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that two people with face coverings entered a residence on Troughton Court allegedly armed with edged weapons.
While inside the premises it is alleged that the offenders threatened the 62-year-old male occupant, demanding he hand over his car keys, phone and wallet. The offenders subsequently fled the scene, stealing the victim’s vehicle and other personal items.
The victim was not physically harmed during the incident.
A short time later, Strike Force Trident sighted the stolen motor vehicle travelling on Moulden Terrace. A traffic apprehension was attempted, however the vehicle failed to stop.
A short pursuit was initiated before a tyre deflation device was successfully deployed and the vehicle came to a stop.
Two males aged 16 were arrested at the scene with charges expected to follow.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P25216887. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: New South Wales – News
Southern District police are seeking assistance from the public to locate a mobility scooter that was stolen earlier this week.
On the morning of Wednesday 13 August, a mobility scooter (pictured below) was stolen from the front porch of an Oliphant Avenue, Marion home.
Police are hoping to re-unite the scooter with its elderly owner and ask that anyone with information as to its whereabouts come forward to assist.
You can anonymously provide information to Crime Stoppers online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au or free call 1800 333 000.
Reference #08761
Source:
From 1 July 2025, Phase 2 of the Digital Service Standard has been fully in effect. This milestone is the second and final phase of the Service Standard, meaning the entire standard now applies to all Australian digital government services.
Source: Mental Health Australia
The state’s regional train operator NSW TrainLink is improving access to safety information with updated and inclusive materials designed to inform passengers of all abilities and needs on what to do in an emergency.
The new suite of safety materials gives updated clear, specific guidance on emergency procedures such as locating exits, using help buttons and evacuating safely.
The materials include an animated video, audio announcements both on board and on platforms, revised onboard safety cards and information at stations including posters, digital screens and signs.
For the first time, onboard safety briefing cards on NSW TrainLink trains are available in Braille for those with vision impairment and Easy Read format which is in simplified language for people with intellectual disabilities.
For more information, read full story here (PDF, 133.34 KB).