Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Government continues to invest in Victoria’s future with a new investment of $3.8 billion towards the transformational Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East project. 

Delivered as part of the 2026 Federal Budget, this investment brings the total Albanese Government spend for the project to $6 billion. 

SRL East will deliver a 26-kilometre underground orbital rail line through Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern suburbs.

It will create interchanges with four of Melbourne’s established radial rail lines at Cheltenham, Glen Waverley, Box Hill and Clayton, while connecting rail lines in four directions, including regional V/Line services on the Gippsland Line. 

The project will support economic productivity by improving public transport connectivity between major employment, education and health precincts including Monash, Box Hill, Clayton and Burwood. 

Businesses in Melbourne’s eastern and south-eastern middle corridor will benefit from more visitors coming by public transport and by having their staff able to cross suburbs quicker and more easily. 

Precincts to be connected by SRL East will support the delivery of 70,000 additional homes and more housing choice, as well as reducing urban sprawl.

The project will support 3,000 jobs through construction, and will create up to 8,000 local jobs in the long term.

This latest investment builds on the Albanese Government’s previous $2.2 billion toward land acquisition and early works for the project.

Tunnelling for the project will commence by the end of this year, with Tunnel Boring Machines currently being assembled on site. This project is expected to be completed in 2035.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“This project is a game changer for the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria. 

“Ensuring Victorians can get into Greater Melbourne and across suburbs, rather than having to go into the CBD then back out, helps speed up travel times, get cars off the road and increases opportunities for businesses in Melbourne’s east. 

“My Government is proud to partner with the Allan Government in delivering a better future for commuters across Victoria.”

Quotes attributable to Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan

“In the Albanese Labor Government we have a partner in Canberra who gets what our growing state needs.

“The Suburban Rail Loop will slash travel times and cut congestion for busy families.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King

“This investment by the Albanese Government in nationally significant infrastructure such as SRL boosts productivity and accessibility for Victoria. This is why we are getting on with delivering vital projects such as SRL East, Melbourne Airport Rail and the North East Link.

“SRL East will better integrate different transport modes, delivering a seamless and future-ready transit network for the fastest-growing areas of Melbourne.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop Nick Staikos

“By the 2050s, Melbourne will be the size of London – Melbourne needs an orbital rail connection that will cater for this growth and better connect people to jobs, education and healthcare.

“Only Labor will deliver the Suburban Rail Loop. Jess Wilson’s Liberals will cut it – sacking thousands of workers and leaving tunnel boring machines sunk in the ground.” 

Source: Tasmania Police

Two men charged with drug, firearms offences

Friday, 8 May 2026 – 12:08 pm.

Drugs, stolen property and an illegal homemade firearm were seized by police during a targeted search of a Kings Meadows property on Thursday.
Two men, aged 34 and 33, from Kings Meadows, were arrested and detained for court.
The search on Thursday afternoon was conducted by officers from Taskforce Raven and Launceston CIB, with drugs (cannabis, liquid GHB, liquid MDMA, methamphetamine), ammunition and a loaded, homemade .22 calibre firearm seized at the property.
The 34-year-old man faces charges including firearms offences, drugs possession, possession of stolen property and unlawful possession of property.
The 33-year-old man faces firearms offences and drugs possession charges.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

HOST: I’ve organised today’s mystery guest.

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER:

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

< HOST: 

 

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Four people have been taken to hospital following a serious crash near Acacia Hills overnight.

Around 12:55am this morning, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a crash between a road train and a Toyota Prado on the Stuart Highway. 

The crash was reported to have occurred about 2km north of a service station in Acacia Hills.

The vehicle is believed to have been travelling south when it collided with the rear trailer of a road train turning north out of Acacia Quarry.

Four adults, two men and two women were found injured at the scene.

All four were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital via St John Ambulance with one female passenger in a critical condition.

The road train initially stopped before continuing to a truck yard in Humpty Doo.

Police located the road train at a business in Humpty Doo where the driver returned a positive drug test and was arrested.

Emergency service workers are still at the scene of the crash. There are diversions around the crash scene. The Stuart Hwy is expected to be open by 11:00am.

The Major Crash Unit is investigating and anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 and reference P26132382.

Source: Tasmania Police

Call for information on Bridgewater firearms incident

Friday, 8 May 2026 – 10:35 am.

Police are investigating a firearms incident in Bridgewater last night in which multiple shots were fired into a house and a parked car.
The incident happened just before 8.30pm in McShane Road, Bridgewater, with police calling for information about the actions of two people seen on a motorcycle in the areas of McShane Road, Eddington Street, and Gunn Street, around that time.
Two people were inside the house when the shots were fired and no one was injured.
Initial investigations indicate two people, believed to be men, arrived near the property on a motorcycle.
One person, wearing a motorcycle helmet, then approached the house on foot and fired at least three shots with a small calibre rifle at the front of the building.
A further two shots were fired into the rear window of a vehicle parked in the driveway.
The person then ran from the scene and got on the rear of the waiting motorcycle, with the two people riding away towards Gunn Street.
Police investigations are continuing.
Anyone with information, or who has CCTV or dashcam footage from McShane Road last night, is asked to contact police on 131 444.
You can report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: Tasmania Police

75-year-old Norwood man charged with possession of child exploitation material

Friday, 8 May 2026 – 10:08 am.

*** Content Warning ***A 75-year-old Norwood man has been charged with possession of child exploitation material.
Tasmania Police commenced an investigation after child exploitation material was detected being uploaded to the internet, and the man was identified as a suspect.
The Tasmanian Joint Anti-Child Exploitation Team (JACET), comprised of Tasmania Police’s High-Risk Child Exploitation Unit and the Australian Federal Police, executed a search warrant at Norwood on Wednesday.
During the search, police located and examined numerous digital devices, and the man was arrested and charged with possession of child exploitation material.
He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear in court later this month.
Online child abuse is a serious crime type. Tasmania Police, with the support of its partners, is committed to stopping these crimes and keeping our children safe. If you have seen inappropriate behaviour online that you suspect is child abuse, report it:
• If the child is in immediate danger, call 000.
• Call 131 444
• Report online to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) https://www.accce.gov.au/report

Source: Government of Victoria 3

The Melbourne – Mansfield – Mt Buller Snow Coach service will run from Friday 5 June until Sunday 4 October.

V/Line has once again teamed up with multiple partners to provide a seamless Snow Coach service for customers to enjoy the ski season.

The Snow Coach consists of three connecting coach services including: 

• V/Line Melbourne – Mansfield coach service
• Mansfield Mt Buller Bus Lines (MMBL) service Mansfield – Mt Buller Village
• Mt Buller ‘Ride Share’ service between Mt Buller Village and the customer’s accommodation  

Each coach service is timed to ensure all customers travelling will experience a smooth journey and connection from the city to the slopes. 

Due to the popularity of the Snow Coach service, tickets must be reserved for both directions.

Tickets can be purchased:

• by calling 1800 800 007 (6am-midnight)
• at staffed V/Line stations
• at metropolitan premium stations
• or at V/Line ticket agents. See where to buy tickets for more information.

If you wish to travel only between Mansfield – Mt Buller please call MMBL directly on (03) 5775 2606 to reserve your seats.

Customers travelling with a mobility aid should contact MMBL 24 hours in advance to arrange travel from Mansfield to Mt Buller Village. 

Please refer to the MMBL website to view timetables.

Fares

Please note, customers buying tickets to Mt Buller Village must transfer between the coach drop-off point at Mt Buller Village and the customer’s accommodation using their own alternative transport.

Melbourne to Mt Buller (single and return) including the coach services between Melbourne and Mt Buller (includes gate entry fee). 

Youth myki holders are entitled to free travel between Melbourne and Mansfield. 

 

	Return		Single
	To accommodation	To Mt Buller Village	To accommodation	To Mt Buller Village
Adult	$138.00	$114.90	$87.25	$75.70
Concession	$112.05	$88.95	$72.40	$60.85
Child (5 – 18)	$90.90	$74.70	$56.45	$48.35
Youth Myki	$85.20	$69.00	$53.60	$45.50

 

*Gate entry fee – all visitors to Mt Buller are required to pay a gate fee onto the mountain

Luggage

Total luggage limit is 32 kilograms per customer. Luggage is restricted to a maximum of two items per person, with no one item weighing more than 16 kilograms. One set of ski gear (boots, stocks, & skis) is considered as one luggage item. One carry-on item is also permitted.
 
Website
www.mmbl.com.au/winterservice

More Information

• Concession fares are available to Seniors Card holders, pensioners, students, and Victorian Health Care card holders. A valid concession card must be presented upon request.
• No further discounts (including voucher or group travel tickets) apply to these fares.
• Return travel can be completed anytime until the end of the snow season, Sunday 04 October 2026. As reservations are required on all services, it is recommended that both outbound and return travel are booked at the same time.
• Normal refund conditions apply.
• Pensioner and Seniors Free Travel Vouchers are not available on the Mansfield – Mt Buller coach. These vouchers can only be redeemed on the journey between Melbourne and Mansfield. Tickets for travel between Mansfield and Mt Buller should be booked in advance by calling MMBL on (03) 5775 2606.
• myki cannot be used on the Melbourne – Mansfield and Mansfield – Mt Buller coach services. Only V/Line tickets are available for these services. 

About V/Line

Trademarks

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 14-year-old male in relation to an aggravated burglary that occurred yesterday in Alice Springs.

Around 6:05pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that an unknown male offender had unlawfully entered a residence on Johannsen Street in Gillen.

It is alleged the offender confronted the sole occupant, a female aged in her 30s, and physically assaulted her. The victim fought the offender off and ran from the location.

She did not suffer any injuries.

The offender allegedly stole a black electric scooter from the residence and fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Police commenced investigations and around 12pm today the 14-year-old was arrested in Gillen. He remains in police custody to be charged with Aggravated Robbery and Burglary. The scooter remains outstanding.

Anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26131034. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Tasmania Police

Youth charged over significant damage to UTAS campus

Thursday, 7 May 2026 – 2:56 pm.

Police have charged a 13-year-old boy following significant damage to the University of Tasmania Cradle Coast Campus in Burnie.
On Monday 4 May 2026, university staff reported several windows at the campus had been smashed over the weekend.
Detectives from the Western Criminal Investigation Branch commenced an investigation and, following enquiries, identified a 13-year-old as the alleged offender.
The estimated replacement cost for the damaged windows is approximately $300,000.
Police continue to work closely with the University of Tasmania and Burnie City Council as part of the investigation.
The youth has been charged and bailed to appear before the Burnie Magistrates Court (Youth Justice Division) at a later date.
Anyone with information in relation to the matter is asked to contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Source: Government of Victoria 3

What is the issue?

Since 2022, Japanese encephalitis (JE) continues to be detected in Victoria and other south-eastern Australian states. There is an ongoing risk of Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases in high-risk areas of regional Victoria. This year’s mosquito season has been prolonged with episodes of heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of northern Victoria.

Eligibility criteria for the free JE vaccine have been simplified. All people aged 2 months or older who live or work in eligible high-risk local governments areas in Victoria are eligible for the free JE vaccine.

In addition, to keep Victorians protected over the coming months, the Japanese encephalitis vaccination program has been temporarily expanded.

Until 31 July 2026, people aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any of the eligible high-risk local government areas in Victoria, or any interstate high-risk areas, for any outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting are now also eligible for a free vaccine.

People at increased risk of Japanese encephalitis regardless of local government area criteria, continue to remain eligible for a free JE vaccine.

There are 24 local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria that are currently eligible for a free vaccine. Medicare eligibility to receive a free JE vaccine is not required. More information on Japanese encephalitis and the complete vaccine eligibility criteria, including information on eligible high-risk local government areas in Victoria and interstate, is available at Japanese encephalitis.

Who is at risk?

People at risk of mosquito bites while in high-risk areas where human cases and virus detections have been reported are at greatest risk of Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases.

There is no specific treatment for Japanese encephalitis. Therefore, it is important to stay protected by getting vaccinated if eligible and following mosquito-bite prevention advice.

Symptoms and transmission

Japanese encephalitis virus can spread to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

Most people experience no or mild symptoms. In some rare cases, Japanese encephalitis can cause serious infection with fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches or pains, neck or back stiffness, sensitivity to light, confusion, seizures, coma and other neurological illness and may lead to permanent disability or even death.

Anyone who has spent time in high-risk areas of regional Victoria and develop these symptoms should seek urgent medical care and testing.

Recommendations

For the general public:

• Any person aged 2 months or older who lives or works in eligible high-risk local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria is eligible for a free JE vaccine.
• Until 31 July 2026, people who plan to visit any of the high-risk local government areas in Victoria, or any interstate high-risk areas, for any outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting are now also eligible for a free JE vaccine.
• Priority groups at increased risk of Japanese encephalitis regardless of local government area criteria remain eligible for a free JE vaccine.
• For more information on Japanese encephalitis and vaccine eligibility, including information on eligible local government areas in Victoria and interstate, visit Japanese encephalitis.
• Speak to your doctor (GP) or local immunisation provider to check if you are eligible for a free vaccine ahead of any planned travel during the coming months.
• Stay protected against Japanese encephalitis and other mosquito-borne diseases by taking steps to prevent mosquito bites. For more advice, visit Protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases on Better Health Channel.

For health professionals:

• Any person aged 2 months or older who lives or works in eligible high-risk local government areas in Victoria is eligible for a free JE vaccine.
• The Japanese encephalitis vaccination program has been temporarily expanded until 31 July 2026. Eligibility now includes people aged 2 months or older who plan to visit any of the high-risk local government areas (LGAs) in Victoria, or any interstate high-risk area, for any outdoor recreation such as hiking, camping, caravaning, fishing, boating and hunting.
• Priority groups who are at increased risk of Japanese encephalitis regardless of local government area criteria, continue to remain eligible for a free Japanese encephalitis vaccine.
• Immunisation providers are encouraged to recommend the Japanese encephalitis vaccine to all eligible people, including those planning travel for outdoor recreation in the coming months. Medicare eligibility is not required to receive a free vaccine.
• Complete vaccine eligibility criteria, including information on eligible high-risk local government areas in Victoria and interstate, are available at Japanese encephalitis.
• Japanese encephalitis is an urgent notifiable condition which requires notification to the Department of Health upon initial diagnosis or clinical suspicion as soon as practicable and within 24 hours.