Source: Tasmania Police
We respectfully acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of the land upon which we work and pay our respect to Elders past and present. We recognise the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the continuing custodians of the rich cultural heritage of lutruwita / Tasmania.
Source: Tasmania Police
Sixth youth in custody following Ashley Youth Detention Centre incident
Friday, 19 December 2025 – 3:45 pm.
A sixth youth has been taken into custody a short time ago following an escape incident at Ashley Youth Detention Centre overnight.
Police responded to the centre just before 7pm last night, after reports of a disturbance within the facility.
Three staff members were physically assaulted by some of the young people during the disturbance with one receiving non life threatening injuries.
Seven young people escaped the facility in a vehicle.
Police were called and quickly deployed significant resources to the area, including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
Just after 10pm, the stolen vehicle was located in the Penguin area, with the young people believed to have fled on foot.
One of the young people was safely taken into custody just before 1am.
A second vehicle was then commandeered by two of the young people near Ulverstone just before 7.30am this morning. The pair were arrested a short time later without incident and safely returned to Ashley Youth Detention Centre.A fourth young person was safely taken into custody on the north west just after midday and a fifth young person presented at Glenorchy Police Station shortly before 1.30pm.The sixth youth was arrested in Hobart just before 4pm.Police are continuing to actively search for the remaining youth.
Members of the public are advised not to approach the young person, and to contact police on 131 444 or triple zero in an emergency.
Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing
19/12/25
The Victorian Government is expanding the state’s pill testing trial to include Victoria’s Pride Street Party on Sunday 8 February 2026.
The service will provide free, legal and confidential drug checking as part of the health, wellbeing and crowd-care supports available at the event.
Patrons can test their drugs to find out what’s really in them, get harm-reduction advice, and make safer, more informed choices.
The Victorian Pill Testing Service is running an 18-month trial across a range of events to reach diverse audiences and understand the most effective ways to deliver pill testing in Victoria.
During the 2025-26 music festival season the mobile pill testing service will be at five major events.
Last summer, the VPTS tested more than 1,400 samples, with 11 per cent of samples not what people expected their drugs to be. This led to two statewide advisories, 10 event notifications and on-the-ground health advice that helped keep party goers safe.
People can also access the Fitzroy fixed-site pill testing service, which has extended summer hours to meet increased demand ahead of major events and public holidays.
Read more on the Victorian Pill Testing Service .
Source: Australian Ministers for Education
Annual Report 2024 – 25
Ben.PetersJones
The HTML version of the Annual Report 2024–25 can be viewed on the Transparency Portal. You can also download a PDF version of the Annual Report 2024-25 below.
The report informs the Parliament and the public about CDPP’s achievements, performance and financial position for the financial year ending 30 June 2025.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Annual Report 2024 – 25 | 2.28 MB |
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) Annual Report 2024–25 | 2.28 MB |
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a domestic violence related assault that occurred in Alice Springs in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Around 11:30am on Thursday 18 December, a hospital-based police officer was notified that an adult female had attended the emergency department with injuries to her face and head, and significant injuries to both arms.
It is alleged the victim had been assaulted by her 26-year-old male partner in the early hours of Thursday morning near the Tom Brown roundabout.
The offender remains outstanding at this time and the Southern Domestic Family Violence has carriage of the investigation.
Police urge anyone with information, including those with dash cam footage between 12:40am and 1am on Thursday 18 December in vicinity of the Gap Road and South Terrace roundabout, to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25342242.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
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: Australian Capital Territory Policing
A Clyde North entrepreneur who took $1.3 million in payments for affordable ‘tiny home kits’ that he never supplied has been convicted and fined $750,000 in the County Court.
Spencer Porter, 27, was the director of MyTinyHomeKit Pty Ltd and Property Magician Pty Ltd. He pleaded guilty in October to 4 charges under the Australian Consumer Law.
Porter took payments for kits from 43 customers between December 2021 to March 2024. Customers never received them, and the businesses subsequently went into liquidation.
In January 2024, Porter agreed to a range of actions to compensate customers who’d paid for and not received his products. He also agreed to improve his business practices for future customers.
Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) took court action against Porter in November 2024 after he breached the agreement.
While noting his early guilty plea, the court found that Porter’s offending was serious, calculated and manipulative, taking a substantial amount of money from people who could least afford to lose it.
It added that the penalties imposed by the court were proportionate to the offending and an important deterrence.
CAV Director Nicole Rich acknowledged the customers who bought kits from Porter’s businesses, 19 of whom shared victim impact statements in court.
“The conviction and fine is significant but will not give back to the people he deceived.”
“The affected customers should be commended for their courage in standing up to this conduct and sharing their stories in court.”
Porter entered bankruptcy in June 2025 but criminal penalties imposed by the court cannot be incorporated into a bankruptcy. They will continue to be enforceable in future years.
Rich emphasised that Consumer Affairs Victoria would continue to use its enforcement powers to crack down on businesses that ripped off Victorians.
“We won’t stop pursuing businesses that deceive consumers, particularly when it’s systemic and harms Victorians.”
Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
Today, I co‑chaired the fifth Australia‑China Strategic Economic Dialogue with Chairman Zheng Shanjie of China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
This is the first time in a decade the Strategic Economic Dialogue has been held in back‑to‑back years and comes the day before the 10‑year anniversary of the China‑Australia Free Trade Agreement coming into force.
This is all about more economic engagement with our biggest trading partner in ways that benefit both countries.
More trade and investment mean more jobs and opportunities for our workers and bigger and better returns for our businesses, and that’s what we’re working towards.
Australia and China have complementary economies that benefit from strong trade and investment ties.
Dialogue and engagement give us the best chance to maintain and grow these important links.
Chairman Zheng and I discussed our respective economic outlooks. I highlighted Australia’s strong economic fundamentals and our resilience in the face of global economic uncertainty.
He briefed me on preparations for China’s 15th Five Year Plan, which is one of the best indicators of China’s economic and social priorities.
During the Strategic Economic Dialogue, Chairman Zheng and I welcomed the recommencement of the Australia‑China officials‑level Investment Working Group, which was last held in February 2016 in Beijing.
This gives us a forum to discuss investment trends and policies in both countries and advance Australia’s national interest.
We’re progressing work on our sustainable finance taxonomies to identify areas of commonality and complementarity.
This will help investors compare and assess green investment opportunities across jurisdictions and facilitate cross‑border green capital flows, consistent with our national interest.
Last year, the Strategic Economic Dialogue resumed after seven years. It is an important forum for promoting pragmatic economic cooperation between Australia and China.
Australia continues to work towards a stable and constructive relationship with China, which is in the interests of both countries.
Today’s dialogue shows that we are well on the path to do just that and we’re looking forward to the next one in 2026.
Source: Tasmania Police
Fifth youth taken into custody following Ashley Youth Detention Centre incident
Friday, 19 December 2025 – 1:18 pm.
A fifth youth has been taken into custody following the Ashley Youth Detention Centre incident overnight.A male youth was taken into custody after presenting at Glenorchy Police Station a short time ago.The police operation continues for the two remaining youths outstanding.Anyone with information should contact Police on 131444.
Source: Government of Western Australia
Wanneroo Council has endorsed a new Long-Term Financial Plan to ensure City infrastructure, services and community facilities keep pace with rapid population growth over the next decade.
The plan sets a clear and sustainable financial pathway as the City prepares for an additional 60,000 residents by 2035 and continued growth beyond that.
One of the fastest-growing local government areas in Australia, the City of Wanneroo has experienced significant population growth in recent years. Between 2036 and 2046, the City’s population is expected to increase by a further 140,000 residents to 440,000, primarily in East Wanneroo, Two Rocks and Yanchep.
This growth places increasing demands on road, community facilities, open spaces and local services.
The Long-Term Financial Plan responds to community feedback, changing service demands and the need to balance investment between established suburbs and emerging communities.
It focuses on maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure, while delivering new assets where they are needed most.
Under the plan, the majority of asset-related investments will be directed towards upgrades valued at $562 million and renewal works totaling $402 million. A further $490 million will be invested in the acquisition and construction of new assets to support growing communities.
These investments will be supported by reserve balances, loan borrowings and rates revenue.
The City will continue to pursue grant or contribution funding to help minimise the impact on ratepayers.
The plan also outlines a structured approach to replenishing reserves and managing financial risk in a changing economic environment, including consideration of ageing infrastructure, competing community priorities and interest rates movements.
Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the plan positions the City to meet the needs of both current and future residents.
“We know our community expects infrastructure and services to keep up as our City grows,” she said.
“This allows us to plan ahead, invest responsibly and make sure we are funding what matters most to residents.
“It balances the need to deliver new facilities in rapidly growing areas with the responsibility to maintain and upgrade the assets our community already relies on.”
The Long-Term Financial Plan supports delivery of the recently endorsed Council Plan 2025-35, ensuring the City’s long-term vision and community priorities are backed by sustainable
and responsible financial planning.
The plan will continue to be reviewed annually.
Source: Government of Australia Capital Territory
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 19/12/2025
An experienced Canberra lawyer and advocate has been appointed as the territory’s next Victims of Crime Commissioner.
Juliette Ford, who will take up her appointment on 23 February 2026, succeeds former Commissioner Heidi Yates, whose resignation was effective from 1 August 2025. Acting Commissioner Margie Rowe will continue in the role until 22 February 2026.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne congratulated Ms Ford on her appointment.
“Juliette Ford’s career has been shaped by a deep commitment to human rights and advocacy,” the Attorney-General said.
“She brings a wealth of experience in family law, dispute resolution and victim advocacy, as well as a strong track record in driving systemic reform.
“Her leadership will be critical in helping victims of crime in the ACT receive timely, compassionate and effective support.
“I’d also like to thank Margie Rowe for her tenure as Acting Commissioner, and the compassion and advocacy she brought to the role throughout this year.”
Ms Ford brings more than two decades of experience in family law and advocacy. She joined the law firm Farrar Gesini Dunn in 2001 and became a partner in 2003, specialising in all areas of family law and collaborative practice. She has also worked with community legal centres, including the Aboriginal Legal Service in WA, and previously served as a Registrar of the Family Court of Australia.
Between 2021 and 2024, Ms Ford took time away from her private sector role to work for the ACT Government, leading the Sexual Assault Prevention, Response and Law Reform Program that delivered the groundbreaking Listen. Take Action to Prevent, Believe and Heal Report. The report paved the way for significant reforms in responses to sexual violence in the ACT, including the subsequent Sexual Assault (Police) Review.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. Ms Ford’s appointment follows a robust executive search and recruitment process.
Quotes attributable to ACT Human Rights Commissioner, Dr Penelope Mathew:
“Ms Ford is a leading lawyer whose experience spans private practice, work with community legal centres, government and academia. She is eminently qualified to be the new Victims of Crime Commissioner, and I am looking forward to working with her.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Margie Rowe for her tireless and selfless work as acting Commissioner.”
Quotes attributable to incoming ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner, Juliette Ford:
“I am honoured to be appointed the next ACT Victims of Crime Commissioner and will bring all of my experience working at the intersection of individual advocacy and systemic reform to this role promoting the rights of victim-survivors.
“I have worked in the community, government and private sector as a lawyer promoting the rights of victim-survivors. To have the chance to bring what I have learnt to this role with its dual functions as an independent statutory advocate and providing service delivery is an exciting one.
“As the Victims of Crime Commissioner, I look forward to working with all key stakeholders to lead advocacy for victim-survivors, administer statutory schemes and enhance access to justice for all ACT victim-survivors.”
– Statement ends –
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases