Category: MIL-OSI

Source: ACT Police

The deceased in this matter has been identified as a 36-year-old man who resided at the property.

The matter remains under investigation. Police urge anyone in the area of Holt and Latham between 2am and 3am on Wednesday, 22 May with dash-cam footage to contact police.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

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A person has been located deceased following a house fire in Holt early this morning.

About 2.50am this morning (Wednesday, 22 May 2024), police and ACT Fire & Rescue were called to the scene of a house fire at Giltinan Place, Holt.

The fire was extinguished but the body of a person was located inside the home.

The fire is being deemed suspicious at this time and an investigation is underway.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the fire or was in the vicinity of Giltinan Place prior to 3am this morning to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference number P2257160. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a suspected road rage incident last week.

About 4.30pm on Thursday, 16 May 2024, police responded to reports of a collision and an ongoing disturbance involving two men at the corner of Chartsville Avenue and Box Hill Avenue, Conder.

Police attended the location, and observed a silver Hyundai Getz had collided with the rear of a white Ford Ranger utility, while a blue Mazda 3 – which was not involved in the collision – was also nearby.

The drivers of all three vehicles – a woman who was driving the Mazda, and the two men – were subjected to roadside breath screenings for alcohol, with the driver of the Getz, a 19-year-old man from Gilmore, later returning a blood alcohol content of 0.186 – more than three and a half times the legal limit.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the collision, as well as interactions between the Getz and the Mazda travelling southbound on the Monaro Highway from Fyshwick to Gilmore between 4pm and 4.30pm in the lead-up to the collision.

Anyone who witnessed these interactions, or who may have dash-cam footage of the vehicles travelling on the Monaro Highway, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7750439. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses and dash-cam footage of a collision between a vehicle and a cyclist on Cotter Road, Weston.

About 8.05am on Saturday, 18 May 2024, a 50-year-old man was cycling eastbound in the bicycle lane on Cotter Road when he was allegedly struck from behind by a blue Holden Commodore near the intersection with the Tuggeranong Parkway.

Police and emergency services attended, with ACT Ambulance Service paramedics treating the man at the scene before transporting him to hospital in a serious condition.

The driver of the Commodore, a 23-year-old man from Wright, was subjected to a roadside alcohol screening test which returned a positive result. He was taken to Woden Police Station where further testing returned a blood alcohol content of 0.142 – more than two and a half times the legal limit.

The driver was served a Court Attendance Notice for drink driving, and is likely to face further charges.

ACT Policing’s Major Collision Team are investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage of either the collision or the Commodore in the lead-up to the collision, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7751768. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 70-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after allegedly choking their partners in two family violence incidents over the weekend.

About 8.30pm on Saturday (18 May 2024), the 70-year-old man allegedly choked his partner after a verbal argument at their residence in Bruce.

He was arrested that evening by police and was charged with aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm and choking, suffocating or strangling another person.

In a separate incident, about 2.30am on Sunday (19 May 2024), police responded to a report of a 30-year-old woman choking her partner to unconsciousness following a verbal disagreement.

After speaking to the victim, police charged the woman with choking another person and rendering them unconscious.

In both instances the victims were treated by ACT Ambulance Services.

Police understand the significant coercion and control exerted in relationships where family violence exists, and encourage anyone impacted by any type of family violence offending to contact police and seek support.

If you are a victim of family violence or believe someone you know is the victim of family violence, you can contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency, or attend any police station.

The following support services are also available:

ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service 02 6280 0900

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre 02 6247 2525

YWCA Canberra 02 6185 2000

ACT Government family violence services

Source: ACT Police

A 31-year-old Mawson woman will face the ACT Magistrates Court today after a road rage incident where she allegedly assaulted the male driver of another vehicle while travelling with children in her car.

About 10am yesterday (Sunday, 19 May 2024), a man in a silver Mitsubishi Outlander was driving along Horse Park Drive in Amaroo when the driver of a silver Ford Mondeo became agitated when he stopped at a red light.

He was overtaken by the Ford and the female driver then allegedly started driving in an erratic manner, speeding up and slowing down while she was in front of him.

While stopped at another set of traffic lights, the woman got out of her car and allegedly assaulted the man, pulling him out of his vehicle while punching and spitting on him. She then took his car keys and threw them away before leaving the scene.

After speaking with the victim and witnesses, police attended the woman’s residence and spoke to her before charging her with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and driving while suspended.

Police would also ask anyone who witnessed the incident or the vehicle being driven around this time, or may have dash-cam footage, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7752613. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: ACT Police

A 19-year-old man has had his motorbike seized by police and his licence suspended for 90 days after being caught travelling at 174km/h on the Majura Parkway on Wednesday.

He was one of 20 people issued with traffic infringement notices by ACT Road Policing officers on the day (Wednesday, 15 May 2024).

About 6.50am on Wednesday morning, police observed a motorbike travelling at excessive speeds in the northbound lanes of the Majura Parkway.

The rider was pulled over, his motorbike was seized and he was served with a court attendance notice to face charges of dangerous driving, high range speeding, not display L plate and learner riding a motorcycle greater than 150 kilowatt/tonne power to weight ratio.

That same day, a blue Mazda CX5 was detected travelling at 142km/h in a 100km/h zone, also on the Majura Parkway.

The 46-year-old driver allegedly provided an explanation for his speeding that he was ‘travelling to Fyshwick to collect a vehicle part’ to the officer after he was pulled over.

He was issued with a $700 traffic infringement notice and incurred four demerit points.

Source: ACT Police

A 23-year-old man and a 41-year-old man, both from Greenacre, NSW will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 17 May 2024) following their arrest and extradition in relation to an arson in Giralang in October last year.

Between 12am and 1.15am on Friday 13 October 2023, police believe a person – the primary offender – arrived at a property on Gidjili Place in a green Ford Mondeo with NSW registration EUB 48T.

This person is alleged to have walked down the driveway of the residence carrying a red jerry can before setting fire to the property and fleeing the scene on foot.

Two women who were asleep in the house at the time of the arson attack were unharmed.

Police allege that on the day before the incident, Thursday, 12 October 2023, the 23-year-old man assisted the primary offender in purchasing the green Ford Mondeo from a car yard in Belmore, NSW, and also by providing them with a mobile phone which was used during the arson.

It is further alleged the 41-year-old man accompanied the primary offender to the ACT in another vehicle and provided support to them before, during, and after the offence.

About 6:30am yesterday (Thursday, 16 May 2024), ACT Policing’s Major Crime Squad executed a search warrant at an address in Greenacre, NSW and recovered several evidentiary items, including mobile phones.

Both men were arrested at the scene and are due to face court today.

They have been charged with one count each of aid and abet arson with an intent to endanger life.

Investigations into the primary offender and other suspects are ongoing.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or on the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote reference 7563568. Information can be provided anonymously

Source: ACT Police

A 22-year-old Chifley man will face the ACT Magistrates Court today charged with multiple offences following a dangerous driving incident yesterday.

On Monday, 13 May 2024, a white Santa Fe, jewellery, and a wallet were stolen from a residence in Chapman.

About 12.15pm yesterday (Wednesday, 15 May 2024), the white Santa Fe was observed driving erratically at speed, and mounting gutters along Cotter Road.

A short time later, police observed the vehicle on Bindubi Street, Aranda, allegedly bearing stolen numberplates, travelling at speed, weaving in and out of traffic, and ignoring red lights.

About 1.20pm, police received information that the vehicle was parked at Belconnen mall. The man was located inside the mall, where he was allegedly found in possession of a knife and illicit substances.

He was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while licence was suspended, driving with a prescribed drug in oral fluid, possessing a knife without a reasonable excuse, dangerous driving, driving a motor vehicle without consent, and driving a vehicle with number plate issued for another vehicle. The man was subject to an Intensive Corrections Order at the time of his arrest.

Further charges in relation to this matter are expected.

Police would also ask anyone who witnessed the vehicle being driven around this time, or may have dash-cam footage of the vehicle being driven dangerously to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Please quote 7749423. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Graham Symons receives Life Membership from DCO Cook

Omeo Fire Brigade honoured its dedicated volunteers on Saturday 18 October during a special awards night held at the Hilltop Hotel in Omeo.

The celebration brought together members, families and supporters for a night of appreciation, recognising the vital role that volunteers play in keeping Omeo safe.

The event recognised 28 members for their outstanding commitment, with a combined total of more than 1,100 years of service. Awards were presented by Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook assisted by Commander Tony Ford from District 11.

DCO Cook praised the brigade, remarking that the number of service hours represented “an exceptional amount of volunteer time for a small country town,” and extended his thanks to all members for their dedication to protecting the community.

The night’s final and most significant award was presented to Ex-Captain Graham Symons, who was recognised for 35 years of service. Captain Ben Lawson presented Graham with Life Membership to the Omeo Fire Brigade, followed by the presentation of a CFA Life Membership from DCO Cook.

Submitted by	Kylie Findley

Source: Minister of Infrastructure

KARL STEFANOVIC: Well, Rex Airlines has been saved from the brink after being snapped up by a US company. But the battle over essential service routes has only just begun. For more, we’re joined by Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King in Sydney. Hey, Catherine. Good to see you this morning. Look, the government has signed off on the deal. It started as a $50 million bailout, then I think it went to 80. Just how much have we have we given them?

CATHERINE KING: So we haven’t given Rex Airlines anything. What the government has done isi three things. One is funded the continuation of Rex as an airline through the administration period to allow those important regional routes and regional services to keep going. We then provided a customer guarantee, so to make sure people kept booking with Rex to say if you couldn’t fly, then you’d get your money immediately refunded. I’m so grateful to the hundreds of regional Australians who’ve continued to operate on Rex. You’ve kept the airline in the sky and you’ve kept jobs. And then the other thing is we bought the debt of the major creditor so that it wouldn’t suddenly force it into a sale, because we knew from the administrators, we needed time, time to actually really get a handle, for the administrators to get a on what was happening with this business, and then actually then find a buyer for the business. And that’s really what the government has stepped in to do. Some of that money, as we’re creditors, we would expect to get some of that back. And then obviously, that’s sort of the commitment we made as a government, because we knew Rex was too important to fall over, and we wanted to try and make sure we had those services for regional Australia.

KARL STEFANOVIC: You didn’t give them any money. Effectively you bailed them out. How much did you bail them out to the tune of?

CATHERINE KING: Basically, so all of that’s on the public record, I think, as I said, the 50 million in debt, I think it was 130. But as I said, not all of that is none of that’s actually gone to the airline itself. It’s gone to the administration to keep them actually going. So, the previous operators of the airline haven’t received any of It’s actually gone to the administration to keep it going, so we could save an important regional service.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Is Air T the right buyer considering they’ve never operated a regional airline?

CATHERINE KING: Well, that’s a matter for the administrators. The government hasn’t undertaken the sale process. Obviously, the administrators are looking for the best outcome for creditors. That is their job. The government has stepped in because we want to get the best outcome for regional Australians, and that’s why we’ve been working so hard to get this outcome. And as I said, against some Opposition from the Liberal Party and National Party, I was surprised by who said our intervention was “a bridge too far”, frankly. So, you know, we’re very, very pleased that the administrators have now come out and said they have a buyer. It’ll now be up to the second creditors meeting to determine whether they accept that.

KARL STEFANOVIC: My only concern is that, I mean, these guys trade in parts that there’s no chance they’ll just shut it down and break up the planes.

CATHERINE KING: We’ve done a lot of due diligence as a government on company as has the administrators, these are long term aviation operators, they buy businesses to grow their business. And that’s one of the good things about that, because Rex obviously owns and operates Saab aircrafts. They are coming you know they’re not making them anymore. So really having access to parts means that they can extend the life of that aircraft while they look at recapitalising, the actual airline itself. So that again, you know, I don’t want to bias any of the creditors’ process, but the administrators have got to. And the due diligence that we’ve done on this company, they’re long term investors in aviation. They’re not, you know, a venture capital company coming in and trying to strip the company and get out. They’re an aviation business.

KARL STEFANOVIC: The point is you’ve got to know what you’re doing, especially in Australia. There’s some really interesting little companies like East Air operating out of Cairns that I note with interest has started up. Maybe they’ll be able to fill the gap if Rex falls over again. But overall, I think it’s a good thing just to make sure that this company does the right thing.

Look, also looking at Western Sydney Airport, it’s almost ready for takeoff. It’s getting pretty exciting now out there.

CATHERINE KING: Yeah, it sure is. So we’ve got a Cessna testing the flight paths. We’ve got Civil Aviation Safety Agency CASA is supervising those tests. We’ve got the baggage handling system being tested. And next week you’ll see a 737 also testing the flight paths. And there’ll be an emergency operation, a test up there as well of all the fire services and other emergency procedures. So a lot of testing is happening to get this airport operational; first freight middle next year, first passengers at the end of next year. So she’s nearly there.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Do you mind if the today show does a broadcast on the runway before it opens up?

CATHERINE KING: You’ll have to ask the airport itself.

KARL STEFANOVIC: Come on, Minister.

CATHERINE KING: I reckon you should. I reckon it would be unbelievable. Well, they’re the operators, so, you know, you know, safety, safety, safety first when it comes to aviation. But I’d love you to. I want so many people to go out there. It is absolutely, it’s a magnificent airport. She’s going to start slow. You know it’s not going to have the same number of flights as Kingsford Smith on day one, but it’s such a huge opportunity for those, you know, millions of people who live out in Western Sydney to actually have jobs, but also to access an airport themselves around the country and to the world.

KARL STEFANOVIC: That’s terrific. Western Sydney absolutely booming. Well done. Nice to have you on. Appreciate it. And we’ll see you at the broadcast.

CATHERINE KING: Great, great.

SARAH ABO: Also no curfew at that airport, very handy indeed for NSW.