Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority

HOST NATALIE BARR: In a major backflip by the Government, we’ve been reporting this all morning on Sunrise, YouTube is now included in Australia’s world first under-16 social media ban, with the laws due to take effect at the end of the year.

HOST MATT SHIRVINGTON: Yeah, the changes will mean platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and X, and now YouTube will have to verify that account users are aged 16 or over with hefty fines of almost $50 million for companies that fail to comply. Joining us now is Communications Minister Anika Wells live in Canberra. Great to have you with us. So many people wouldn’t consider YouTube to be a social media platform, so to speak. Why has it been added to the list?

MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND SPORT – ANIKA WELLS: Because the eSafety Commissioner has new evidence that 37 per cent of under-16s had their most recent or most impactful online harm at the hands of YouTube. And it has the same persuasive algorithms that other social media platforms that are already banned have. So with that new evidence in, I have decided to add them to the ban.

NATALIE BARR: But do you need a login? Can’t you just sort of go onto YouTube yourself?

ANIKA WELLS: Well, that’s exactly right, Nat. This social media ban is about under-16s not having their own accounts on social media. And there are educational videos on YouTube. Teachers use it in the classroom. Teachers will still be able to send home YouTube links for Numberblocks or what have you, and parents can facilitate kids watching that. And YouTube Kids will still exist for kids to use because social media has a place, I accept that, but persuasive and predatory algorithms do not. And this social media ban is about giving kids three more years or 36 months to work out who they are before social media platforms assume who they are.

MATT SHIRVINGTON: Are you concerned Google has threatened to sue the Government if YouTube was included in these laws? Let me just take you through a couple of states in the US at the moment who have passed similar laws to block younger people from using social media. Utah has been blocked in court because of proceedings. Ohio permanently blocked in federal court to enforce the laws. California temporarily blocked in the Ninth Circuit, pending an appeal. Are you concerned that the laws will pass, then Google will sue and you won’t be able to implement them? 

ANIKA WELLS: The laws have passed. They passed last year and we gave a 12-month introductory period for platforms to work with the eSafety Commissioner on what this looks like for them, for parents to prepare, so that we’re ready come 10 December. But YouTube’s legal threat suggested that we were breaching the Australian Constitution and under-16s’ implied right to freedom of political communication because of their right to comment on YouTube videos. But it’s that commenting on YouTube videos, it’s that endless scroll that is actually the very problem and isn’t the educational videos like Number blocks that has utility. So YouTube should be treated like every other social media platform, and therefore it is part of the ban.

NATALIE BARR: So if I’m a 14-year-old in my bedroom, I can go onto YouTube because there’s no restriction at the moment and the algorithm will send me adult stuff, won’t it? Because nothing is telling it that I’m a kid. So isn’t that bad because it’s sending me adult content?

ANIKA WELLS: Well, YouTube says that in a logged-out state, you can’t see age-restricted content, which means that in a logged-out state, you should not be seeing anything that is R18-plus, for example. So if YouTube is making the argument that it isn’t safe in a logged-out state, then that’s YouTube that needs to answer why that’s the case and make it safe.

NATALIE BARR: Or you’ll fine them $50 million?

ANIKA WELLS: For systemic breaches, yes we will.

NATALIE BARR: Okay, interesting.

MATT SHIRVINGTON: Anika, thanks for your time this morning, really appreciate it. And once it is implemented, we’ll get you back on to see how it’s working.

ANIKA WELLS: Looking forward to it.

MATT SHIRVINGTON: Thank you.

NATALIE BARR: Thank you.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has suspended the search for a man missing near Alice Springs.

 NT Police have held serious concerns for the welfare of 26-year-old
Gach since he went missing in the afternoon of Monday July 28.

Extensive search efforts, coordinated by the NT Police Force’s Search
and Rescue Section (SRS) was suspended late this afternoon following a
fifth day of searching an area about 21km west of Alice Springs.

The search as rescue operation at its peak involved more than 50
personnel from NT Police, NT Emergency Services, NT Fire and Rescue
Service, and Parks and Wildlife NT.

The search was conducted by personnel on foot, on ATVs and flying
drones. The NT Police Dog Operations Unit, a Jet Ranger helicopter and
a Challenger jet aircraft, deployed by the Australian Maritime Safety
Authority, have also been involved in the search effort, which covered
more than 500km² of difficult terrain since it started on Tuesday.

Acting Sergeant Chris Grother said police had kept the family updated
throughout the search and that they are aware it has been suspended.

The matter has now been handed to the NT Police Southern Crime
Division for further investigation.

“I want to thank all the search teams who have done an excellent job
covering a huge area over the past 5 days but, unfortunately, it
hasn’t produced the result we hoped for,” Acting Sergeant Grother
said.

“We continue to urge anyone who may have seen Gach in the vicinity of
Larapinta Drive, Standley Chasm, or Simpsons Gap on the evening of
Monday 28 July or if they have any other information to contact police
on 131 444.”

Gach is described as being of Sudanese appearance, with dark skin, a
slim build, short curly hair, and approximately 6 feet tall. He was
last seen wearing cream tracksuit pants, a black t-shirt, a red/orange
puffer jacket, and dark-coloured shoes.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Police seek witnesses to Huonville crash

Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 10:56 am.

Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash involving a white Ford Falcon utility near Huonville on Friday afternoon, which resulted in a young man being hospitalised.
Police and emergency services were called to the crash at the intersection of Huon Highway and Huon Link Road, about 3.55pm on Friday.
Preliminary investigations indicate the driver lost control travelling on Huon Link Road, with his vehicle crossing to the opposite side of the roundabout intersection before coming to rest under Armco railing.
The driver, a 20-year-old man, was extracted from the vehicle by State Emergency Service volunteers before being taken to Royal Hobart Hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police believe the Armco railing in place prevented the vehicle from rolling over and going down the embankment.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash cam footage, is asked to contact Huonville police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Shots fired at Gagebrook house

Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 10:42 am.

Police are calling for information on an incident at Gagebrook overnight in which shots were fired at a house in Briar Crescent.
Initial investigations show a shotgun-style firearm was used to fire two shots at the residence about 2.10am on Saturday, with the shots causing damage to roof guttering and a window.
No one was injured, with the occupant of the house and neighbours calling police.
Police are asking anyone who may have CCTV or dash cam footage, or witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, to contact them on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestopperstas.com.au. Quote OR 781 479.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged with assault on police

Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 9:49 am.

A 32-year-old man will appear in out-of-session court in Launceston today (August 2) charged with multiple offences, including two separate charges of assaulting a police officer.Tasmania Police allege the man punched and bit two officers as he resisted arrest during an incident at a residential property in Kings Meadows on Friday night.The man is facing several charges including common assault, two counts of assaulting a police officer, resisting police and destroying property.The two officers did not receive serious injuries.

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged with arson over Ravenswood house fire

Saturday, 2 August 2025 – 7:50 am.

Police have arrested and charged a 40-year-old man with arson following a fire at a house in Iona Court, Ravenswood, on Friday morning.
The charge stems from a fire about 6.15am on Friday, with Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police attending the emergency call.
A smouldering fire at the rear of the house was extinguished shortly after emergency crews arrived.
There were no injuries reported, although there was some damage to property.
The fire was assessed by the TFS Fire Scene Examiner and police allege the fire was deliberately lit.
Anyone with information, or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously at the property on Friday morning, is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously. Quote OR 781394

Source: New South Wales – News

Just after 8pm on Friday 1 August, police were notified of a blue BMW attending a service station at Croydon Park.  The same car had previously driven off without paying for petrol, so the attendant refused to turn on the pumps and alerted police.
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Inquiries with the registered owner revealed that she was unaware the car had been stolen.  She managed to track the vehicle and provide police with updates on its location.
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About 9.15pm, PolAir spotted the stolen BMW at Enfield and tracked it into the city.  When it came to a stop in Vinrace Street, Adelaide police swooped on the car.
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The driver, a 36-year-old Henley Beach South woman, was arrested and charged with illegal use and driving unlicensed.  She was bailed to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 17 September.
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The stolen vehicle was towed from the scene for forensic examination.
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Source: New South Wales – News

A number of items were located during the search. All recovered evidence will be forwarded to Forensic Science SA for detailed scientific examination over the coming days.

Police extend their gratitude to the many members of the Port Lincoln community who have come forward with information to aid this investigation.

At this stage, there are no further searches planned, and investigators will now await the results of the forensic analysis.

Source: New South Wales – News

Source: New South Wales – News

Just before 1.15pm on Friday 1 August, police were called to the intersection of Victor Harbor Road near Hindmarsh Tiers Road after reports of a two-car crash.

Northbound traffic on Victor Harbor Road is being diverted at Hindmarsh Tiers Road and southbound traffic is diverted at Crows Nest Road.

Please avoid the area.