Source: South Australia County Fire Service
Issued on
24 Jan 2026 08:38
Issued for
Baroota near Port Germein 28km North of Port Pirie in the Flinders Ranges within the Mid North.
Warning level
Advice – Stay Informed
Action
CFS is responding to a fire in Baroota near the Augusta Highway .
If you are in this area, stay informed and monitor local conditions. More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.
Source: ACT Police
Last update: Friday, 23 January 2026 11:12am
Original publication: Friday, 23 January 2026 11:12am
ACT Policing is warning of the dangers of leaving pets in hot vehicles after officers rescued two dogs in Tuggeranong earlier this week.
About 4pm on Wednesday (21 January 2026), police received reports of two dogs locked in a car in a shopping centre carpark.
Police arrived and observed the two dogs in a very distressed state, with the outside of the car very hot to touch and all the windows shut.
Officers gained access to the vehicle and immediately transported the dogs to a nearby vet for life-saving treatment.
With hot temperatures expected this weekend, ACT Policing Sergeant Mick Serbatoio said that it was important to remind people of the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles.
“Leaving a dog in a hot car can turn fatal within minutes, especially this long weekend with the high temperatures being forecast,” Sergeant Serbatoio said.
“Luckily in this instance bystanders contacted police who were able to intervene quickly, but this could have very easily had a tragic outcome.”
“If you do see an animal in a vehicle in distress, contact Domestic Animal Services Rangers on 13 22 81, or if it’s an emergency contact police on Triple Zero (000).”
Source: ACT Police
Last update: Friday, 23 January 2026 9:09am
Original publication: Friday, 23 January 2026 9:09am
A 40-year-old man has been charged after allegedly lighting a fire in the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre yesterday afternoon.
About 5pm (Thursday, 22 January 2026), the man entered the foyer of the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre with a jerry can and allegedly poured petrol onto the floor before throwing the jerry can into the building.
He then allegedly lit the petrol with a lighter before fleeing in a vehicle.
The fire was extinguished by police and ACT Fire and Rescue. No members of the public were in the station at the time and no one was injured during the incident.
A review of CCTV footage identified the man and at about 9:40pm, police located him at a residence in Franklin where he was arrested.
He will face the ACT Magistrates Court today (Friday, 23 January 2026), charged with arson and acts endangering life.
Gungahlin Police Station remains operational however the community in Canberra’s north who need to attend a police station are asked to attend Belconnen or City Police Stations while repair works are underway.
Source: ACT Police
Last update: Thursday, 22 January 2026 9:00am
Original publication: Thursday, 22 January 2026 9:00am
A 51-year-old Campbell man will face court today after allegedly stealing almost $5,000 worth of alcohol from bottle shops 21 times since October.
Police will allege the man stole alcohol from two stores in Dickson and the city between 6 October 2025 and 21 January 2026.
On one occasion, the man entered a store three times in one day, allegedly stealing more than $800 worth of alcohol.
Following enquiries, police attended an address in Campbell where they located the man.
He was arrested and charged with 21 counts of minor theft. He is due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court today (Thursday, 22 January 2026).
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has seized two vehicles in Darwin following separate incidents of hooning behaviour.
On 16 January 2026, police received reports that a black Holden utility was driving on Trower Road near Jape Homemaker Village and conducted two burnouts while travelling along the roadway.
Dash cam footage captured the offending behaviour and was provided to police.
Investigations were conducted and the offending vehicle was subsequently seized.
The 49-year-old driver was issued with infringement notices for:
Today, Road Policing Officers seized a second vehicle after observing a vehicle conduct a burnout at the intersection of Julius Street and the Stuart Highway Northcrest.
A subsequent search of the vehicle located dangerous drugs. Police also observed an unrestrained nine-month-old child inside the vehicle at the time of the incident. The vehicle was seized for hooning.
The 18-year-old driver has been charged with:
The Northern Territory Police Force reminds drivers that hooning behaviour is dangerous and will not be tolerated, with vehicles subject to seizure and further penalties under Territory law.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has charged a man in relation to a serious crash near Stuarts Well earlier this week.
Police will allege that the 22-year-old male employee of a business pursued a grey Mazda after the occupants failed to pay for fuel.
His Toyota Hilux has allegedly collided with the right rear passenger side door of the Mazda, causing it to lose control and crash.
The 37-year-old male driver of the vehicle suffered life-threatening injuries and remains in Royal Adelaide Hospital receiving treatment.
The 38-year-old female passenger also received injuries and remains in Alice Springs Hospital receiving treatment.
The 22-year-old male remains in police custody and has now been charged with:
He was remanded to appear in Alice Springs local Court today.
Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA
Statement by Steve Knott AM, Chief Executive
Following media reports that Fair Work Commission President Adam Hatcher is seeking legislative change to address surging workloads and deepening funding cuts, it is now clear the system has reached breaking point.
The Fair Work Commission is being swamped by a surge in general protections and unfair dismissal claims while its funding is being cut and no relief is coming.
In December alone, the Commission received 1,780 unfair dismissal applications, up 26 per cent year-on-year, and 967 general protections dismissal claims, up 75 per cent.
Anyone can do the maths: around 44,000 total applications last financial year, overseen by just 53 Commission members. As the President has openly admitted, this is not sustainable.
There is no mystery about what is driving the blow-out.
Rock-bottom filing fees of just $87.20 per application, “no win, no fee” claim harvesting by parts of the IR legal industry, and the growing use of AI to churn out applications have turned the system into a low-risk, high-reward claims factory.
General protections claims in particular, with a reverse onus on employers, uncapped compensation and filing windows stretching up to six years, are being weaponised to force settlements.
Efficiency measures inside the Commission won’t fix this. Legislative reform is unavoidable. General protections must be overhauled by removing the reverse onus, imposing a 21-day filing limit, and capping compensation at six months’ pay.
Unfair dismissal laws must be refocused on genuine fairness and due process, and filing fees lifted to $500 to deter speculative claims.
Without these changes, the system will continue heading toward breaking point.
Click here for a full PDF copy of this release, including media contact details.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 47-year-old male in relation to aggravated assault, firearms and drug offences.
On Monday 5 January 2026, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports that a 47-year-old male attended the residence on Coburg Drive, Leanyer, where he allegedly assaulted a 46-year-old female known to him.
It is alleged the offender attended the residence before physically the victim, causing her to fall to the ground. The victim subsequently locked herself in a bedroom; however, the offender forced his way in while armed with an edged weapon and again assaulted the victim before fleeing the scene.
Police and St John Ambulance attended, and the victim was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital with a broken clavicle and swelling to her face.
Around 4:55pm on Thursday 22 January 2026, the Fugitive Taskforce and the Territory Response Group executed the targeted arrest of the 47-year-old offender at an address on Bernier Court, Karama.
During the arrest, officers conducted a lawful search of the address where members located and seized the following:
The 47-year-old offender was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody to be charged with:
He is due to appear in Darwin Local Court on 27 January 2026
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Healey said, “The actions of this male are horrendous and represent a complete disregard for the safety of others.
“Police will continue to actively pursue offenders who use violence and intimidation against vulnerable people and will also continue to disrupt the flow of illicit substances entering the community.
“If you 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.”
Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture
23 January 2026
Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.
Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have listed Ecolab – Baltimore (AEI: US0015TP) as ‘suspended’ on the …
Source: Australia Government Statements 2
The Albanese Government is providing a further $10 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to help keep lights on, homes heated and essential services operating as Russia continues systematic strikes on civilian areas and critical energy infrastructure.
Across Ukraine, families are enduring prolonged blackouts, freezing temperatures and major disruptions to basic services including hospitals as Russia intensifies attacks during one of Ukraine’s harshest winters.
Australia has stood firmly with Ukraine since Russia’s illegal and full-scale invasion.
Since February 2022, we have provided more than $1.7 billion in important military, humanitarian, economic and energy assistance.
Today’s announcement brings Australia’s total contribution to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to $40 million.
The Ukraine Energy Support Fund enables Ukraine’s energy sector to undertake urgent repairs and replacement of damaged equipment, helping restore electricity supply and maintain critical infrastructure.
Quotes attributable to Foreign Minister Penny Wong:
“Russia is weaponising winter against the people of Ukraine.
“Russia’s continued strikes on homes and critical infrastructure shows it is not serious about ending the war, despite ongoing efforts by the United States and Coalition of the Willing partners to secure a just and lasting peace.
“We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately end its illegal war and adhere to its obligations under international law.”
Quotes attributable to International Development Minister Anne Aly:
“Ukrainian people continue to suffer at the hands of Russia’s illegal invasion.
“Australia’s additional support will provide power for Ukrainian families during the harshest winter since the invasion began – keeping the lights on, houses warm and basic services open.
“We continue to stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty.”