UPDATE: Call for information – Aggravated burglary – Katherine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is continuing to call for information in relation to an aggravated burglary that occurred in Katherine East on Saturday 11 October 2025.

It is alleged that four unknown offenders unlawfully entered a government compound, gaining access to two community service buildings and an armoury.

While inside, the offenders allegedly stole and damaged a significant amount of property, including ammunition.

CCTV footage from one of the buildings shows the four offenders inside the premises at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference number NTP2500101464. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

District 7 women leading the way

Source:

Kicking off first thing on Saturday morning, District 7 women came together at VEMTC Central Highlands for a skills day, setting out in four groups to take part in four hands-on activities.   

The program featured two hot fire training drills, a session on forced entry techniques and the Driving circuit traversing vertical and horizontal slopes, undulating tracks, and water crossings in tankers and 4WDs.   

Designed to be inclusive of operational and non-operational members, the activities selected and the composition of the groups were informed by the members’ preferences gathered during the expression of interest process. This ensured that each activity was engaging and accessible to all. Non-operational members were encouraged  to have a go to gain an appreciation and awareness of what is involved being operational.  

Margaret Millar, a non-operational member shared her reflection of the day.

“All the team leaders and instructors included me. It was great and I really enjoyed it,” Margaret said. 

For Operational members the day provided a hands-on experience to learn and practise fireground skills and some members stretched their skills to leadership and mentoring. 

Group leader Joy Thorup-Anderson said, “It was absolutely amazing to see others grow in confidence through new experiences or even getting over fears.’ 

District 7 Women’s Network Representative and Captain Shannon Robinson shared her thoughts about the event.

“It was incredibly empowering and encouraging. It created a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable to ask questions, take on challenges, and learn without pressure or judgment,” Shannon said.

“The shared experiences and strong sense of connection among the group helped build confidence, making it not just a training day but a truly inspiring experience.”

The District 7 Women’s Network was formed in 2024. Over the past 10 years the percentage of operational women in District 7 has steadily grown from 13.1 per cent to 16.8 per cent. Although numbers are slowly rising, women remain a minority in CFA.   

The Women’s Network supports and encourages women to participate at all levels of CFA in District 7 by creating activities and events that support inclusion. The network provides a platform to celebrate women’s achievements and inspire others, build on skills and confidence, and provide a forum for addressing challenges or barriers faced by women in District 7.   

This was the second all-women hot fire training day event for District 7, and the first hosted by the District 7 Women’s Network.   

Upcoming events include a fire ecology walk in November and a visit to a fire tower in March.

Submitted by Emma Taunt

Young engineers make waves on RSV Nuyina

Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission

Two University of Tasmania engineering students have been making waves on RSV Nuyina, thanks to a unique onboard opportunity offering real-world engineering experience.
Patrick Quinlan and Liam Eadie recently spent two weeks onboard the ship, as scientists, engineers and crew tested the ship’s marine science systems and processes, in preparation for the first Antarctic voyage of the season.
The opportunity was provided through the Centre for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Technology (CAST), a collaboration between the Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO and University of Tasmania.
The aim was to give young engineers a taste of what it could be like working in the Australian Antarctic Program.

Australian Antarctic Division Director of Science Systems Engineering, Lloyd Symons, facilitated the students’ experience, which included observing, and contributing to, the calibration and testing of the ship’s acoustic systems, deployment of acoustic and oceanographic instruments from the trawl deck, and mapping the seafloor.
The students were also required to complete an onboard task.
Liam, a mechanical engineering student, said he used onboard data to support fatigue analysis of the ship’s hull.
“The Nuyina is fitted with an advanced ice-loading system, and I explored the documentation to better understand its capabilities,” he said.
“Using the data collected during our voyage, I developed a program to perform mechanical fatigue analysis on the hull.
“This experience was an exciting opportunity to apply the theoretical principles I have learned throughout my degree and the practical skills from my Honours project in a real-world environment.”
Patrick, a computer science and electronic engineering student, with an interest in robotics and instrument design, coding and data, spent time on the trawl deck, as the scientists and crew deployed a range of instruments.
“I have always been interested in marine and Antarctic science, and this program has helped me experience what it will be like to work in the field as an electronic engineer,” he said.
“I helped mount a redirection cage on a trawl net to funnel items into the net.
“I also collected some data myself by deploying an XBT [expendable bathythermograph] off the back of the ship to measure temperature and depth.”
Patrick also processed chlorophyll data (a green pigment in algae) collected on the ship, mapped out its concentration along the ship’s path, and made the information available on the onboard Data in Real Time (DiRT) web service.
“Whilst I always wanted to go to Antarctica to work one day, this trip onboard the RSV Nuyina made me realise that the operations onboard may be even more exciting,” Patrick said.
This content was last updated 3 days ago on 17 October 2025.

Delivering on our commitments for Canberra

Source: Australian National Party




Delivering on our commitments for Canberra – Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate

















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 19/10/2025

A year ago today, Canberrans voted for Labor’s progressive, long-term vision for our city.

Since then, we have been focussed on delivering what we promised Canberrans in health, education, housing and community infrastructure.

We are also undertaking the biggest transformation of our city centre since self-government.

It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape the heart of our city, positioning the ACT to remain one of the world’s most liveable and future-ready places in the decades to come.

This transformation is well underway, with large-scale projects revitalising the way Canberrans can experience and enjoy our city, including:

  • Extending the light rail network to Commonwealth Park.
  • Raising London Circuit, improving connectivity and enhancing amenities between the city and lake.
  • Constructing a new lyric theatre, enabling world-class performances to be held in our city.
  • A more connected Acton Waterfront – creating a new lakeside destination.
  • A new UNSW campus – bring around 6000 students and employees to our city centre.
  • A new Canberra Aquatic Centre, which will also support future Convention Centre and Entertainment Precinct.

Canberra’s population has grown by nearly 50 per cent over the past 25 years and is now approaching 500,000. 

These projects are central to ensuring Canberra continues to grow as a thriving, inclusive and sustainable capital city.

Alongside the transformation of our city centre, we are also delivering improvements right across Canberra’s suburbs and regions – ensuring every part of our growing city benefits from investment and renewal.

This includes new health centres, more parks and playgrounds, upgraded community facilities, better active travel infrastructure, and improved roads and public transport connections.

This is an ambitious plan for Canberra’s future. One that reflects our values and meets the growing needs of our city.

– Statement ends –

Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

Let’s change the conversation around gambling harm

Source: Australian National Party

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 20/10/2025

This Gambling Harm Action Week (20-26 October), the ACT Government is encouraging change in the way we talk and think about gambling harm, moving away from blame and stigma, and toward support and shared responsibility as a community.

Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson, said this year’s Gambling Harm Action Week theme ‘Let’s change the conversation’ invites us to rethink how we talk about gambling harm, to remove the stigma associated with gambling harm and to support those who experience harm to get the help they need.

This week, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission has released a new Guide for Talking About Gambling and Related Harms, providing practical guiding principles to support balanced, respectful, and informed conversations. The guide is the basis of a new Let’s change the conversation campaign, starting this week.

“In the ACT, one in six people are impacted by gambling harm. This means most of us will know someone in our community who is experiencing gambling harm,” Minister Paterson said.

“We want to encourage open conversation and help-seeking. This requires shift in how we view gambling harm, and how we support people who experience it,” she said.

The ACT Government continues to deliver on its election commitment to reduce gambling harm. Practical and long-term initiatives to addressing gambling-related harm, include:

  • the Independent Inquiry into the future of the ACT Clubs industry will develop an industry transition plan to ensure a thriving and sustainable future for community clubs without reliance on gambling revenue.
  • tackling harmful features of gaming machines by introducing mandatory, account-based gaming in all ACT venues, supported by a suite of evidence-based harm reduction measures.
  • reducing access to poker machines by legislating a long-term target of no more than 1,000 machines by 2045.
  • exploring opportunities to reduce the exposure of children and young people to gambling advertising.
  • expanding the gambling harm prevention and mitigation fund to ensure the eligibility for a wider range of research and expert advocacy groups.

If you or someone you know is experiencing gambling harm, help is available both for the person gambling as well as their family and friends. Visit gambling harm on act.gov.au to find support that suits you.

For immediate free 24/7 anonymous support, call the Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 or visit Gambling Help Online.

If you have concerns about gambling services in the ACT, you can raise the issue with the venue or provider directly. If unresolved, you can lodge a complaint online with the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.

Quotes attributable to Laura Beacroft, Chair of ACT Gambling and Racing Commission:

“The words we use shape how we understand gambling, how we respond to those affected by it, and whether people feel safe enough to seek support. Language can either reinforce stigma or promote empathy, understanding and hope.

The Guide for talking about gambling and related harms recognises that gambling is a risky activity that can harm anyone, and that responsibility for reducing harm is shared across individuals, communities, industry and government.

It offers practical tips for using person-first language, avoiding stereotypes, and including support options in communications. It also provides guidance on recognising the scope and scale of harms – from financial stress and relationship breakdowns to broader impacts on families and communities.

Read the guide and learn more about talking about gambling harm on act.gov.au.”

Quotes attributable to Markus Fischer, Lived Experience Coordinator & Community Engagement, ACT Gambling Support Service:

“This language guide has been co-designed with people who’ve experienced gambling harm firsthand. That matters – because when you’ve lived it, you know how words can either help or hurt.

Language shapes how we see ourselves and how others see us. It can carry stigma, or it can carry hope. This guide encourages respectful, person-first language that doesn’t define people by their struggles, but instead opens the door to empathy, understanding – and real change.

Changing the conversation starts with changing the words we use. When we speak with care, we create space for recovery, support and dignity.”

– Statement ends –

Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

Celebrating Canberra’s heritage into 2026

Source: Australian National Party

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 20/10/2025

The ACT Government has today announced the newest recipients of the ACT Heritage Grants Program, with 13 recipients sharing total funding of $213,103.

Funding is awarded to ACT-based projects that help Canberrans conserve, educate, interpret and engage with places and objects on the ACT Heritage Register and Aboriginal heritage protected through the Heritage Act 2004.

Minister for Heritage Chris Steel said the recipients of this year’s grants showcase a wide range of stories from Canberra’s past, reinforcing our shared history.

“As a relatively young city in Australia’s history, Canberra is a melting pot for different cultures,” Minister Steel said.

“We must also acknowledge that long before its official establishment, this region was also home to the rich Aboriginal history stretching back tens of thousands of years.

“The ACT Government is supporting projects that can protect and share these stories for future generations, helping to remind us that Canberrans come from all walks of life and have contributed to our city in amazing ways.”

Some of this year’s funded projects include the restoration and protection of Aboriginal rock art sites in Namadgi thanks to the National Parks Association, as well as centenary celebrations of iconic Canberra landmarks like the Causeway Hall in Kingston organised by ACT Hub, and the Northbourne Oval in Braddon led by the Canberra Raiders through community stories and histories.

“We’re also exploring women writers with support for the ACT Writers Centre ‘She Writes History’ project – in partnership with She Shapes History – profiling literary and cultural contributions of women in Canberra’s history through tours and online stories,” Minister Steel said.

“Heritage is even being combined with cutting edge technology through the University of Canberra’s pilot of AI-based storytelling at ACT heritage places.

“Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients. These projects will be featured in the 2026 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.”

The Canberra and Region Heritage Festival will run for four weeks from Saturday 11 April to Sunday 10 May 2026. The theme of ‘Mid-Century – innovation, change and optimism’ will explore the visionary planning and mid-century heritage that helped define the architectural, cultural and social transformations that shaped Canberra.

While the theme provides a focus on mid-century heritage, all events related to the cultural, First Nations, natural and historic heritage of our region are welcome in the program.

Registrations for the festival are open now and close at midnight on 28 November 2025.

For more information on the ACT Heritage Grants Program and read more about this year’s recipients, visit the ACT Government grants webpage.

To register for the 2026 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival, visit the ACT Environment website.

uotes attributable to The Hon. Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor, University of Canberra

“Heritage is so much more than historical artefacts and cultural collections, it is the essence of community and reflects our identity, values and the traditions that influence our lives today.

“The University of Canberra is deeply embedded in Canberra’s heritage, and it is an absolute privilege to host today’s announcement of the 2025 ACT Heritage Grants Program recipients, including one of our own projects from our Faculty of Business Government and Law – Exploring community awareness and engagement activities with ACT cultural heritage places using an AI-based storytelling approach.

“Each of these projects contributes to Canberra’s community and story.”

– Statement ends –

Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases

«ACT Government Media Releases | «Minister Media Releases

Interview with Karen Tso, CNBC

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Jim Chalmers:

Australia’s interests are best served by more trade, not more trade barriers. And that’s the approach that we take to this. Yes, we have the lowest tariffs from the US around the world, and that’s good for Australia in comparative terms. And most of our trade goes elsewhere.

But we are concerned, we have raised our concern over the course of recent months about the impact on the global economy. The global economy is obviously going through a period of great uncertainty. The tariffs are part of that, but not the only source of that uncertainty. The job for Australia is to make sure that we continue to be the beneficiary of well‑functioning, open global markets for our amazing goods and services.

Karen Tso:

Are you worried that the United States and China are looking to escalate again before any negotiation?

Chalmers:

Obviously, the whole global economy is watching very closely what’s happening between the US and China. And again, it’s our view that nobody wins from a trade war, that tariffs are ultimately self‑defeating. But clearly we’re monitoring what’s happening. And I think it’s noteworthy that in a week where we saw a very substantial de‑escalation in the Middle East, we saw an escalation of trade tensions between the US and China. And that’s obviously of great concern to everyone gathered here in D.C.

Tso:

Australia is a commodities heavyweight. Recently, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that China risked becoming an unreliable partner by throttling rare earths and critical minerals to the rest of the world. Is that a reality when most of the world has been looking at the United States as an unreliable partner now, after Liberation Day trade tariffs?

Chalmers:

I think our American friends have been making a similar point for some time now. From an Australian point of view, we see critical minerals as an extraordinary opportunity for Australia. We’ve got so much to offer the world when it comes to critical minerals. And in order for us to make the most of it, we need to make sure that those markets for critical minerals are robust and reliable and diverse. And that hasn’t always been the case.

And so we will work closely with our partners to make sure we build those more reliable, more robust markets for our critical minerals. That has been a subject of conversations between us and the Americans for some time. And I suspect it will be a matter of conversation when Prime Minister Albanese meets President Trump next week here in Washington D.C..

Tso:

The global economy is being rewired because of trade routes. Does Australia need fresh partnerships? Fresh alliances?

Chalmers:

As we’ve seen these escalating trade tensions, Australia has gone for resilience and relationships, not retaliation. And that’s been a deliberate strategy. Because, as a middle‑sized, trade‑exposed economy, we’ve got a lot to gain from free and open markets; we’ve got a lot to lose from escalating trade tensions. And that has driven our approach throughout.

We’ve got great trading relationships throughout our region and around the world and that has been such an important part of our economic growth to here. It’ll be an important part of our economic growth from here as well. And that’s why all of us, Treasurer, Prime Minister, Trade Minister, Foreign Minister and others put so much effort into nourishing, nurturing those relationships. Because at the end of the day, having those great relationships with trading partners around the world is good for our workers, our businesses and our investors back home.

Press conference, New York City

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

Jim Chalmers:

I’m here today in New York City to talk about Australia as an attractive investment destination.

This is a time of great global economic uncertainty and Australia has a big opportunity to be a beneficiary of all of this churn and change. So today I’ve been speaking with some of the world’s biggest investors, representing around $25 trillion of funds under management and I have a very simple message for the investors of the world and the investors here in New York City.

Australia is an island of reliability and opportunity in a sea of global economic uncertainty. And we have so much of what the world needs. We are a very attractive destination as investors around the world consider the best place to invest their capital. Australia has a huge opportunity and we want to make the most of that opportunity. And that’s why we’re here in New York City. That’s why we’re engaging with counterparts in Washington D.C. yesterday, engaging with counterparts at APEC next week.

We’re in New York City because we want more of the world’s investors to get a slice of the action when it comes to Australia. And that’s what these engagements are all about – $25 trillion in capital under management, telling the investors of the world, the investors of New York City, that Australia is a place of great opportunity and great reliability. And our pitch is that Australia can be a hub, a digital hub in Asia, that we can be an indispensable part of the net zero transformation, that our geography, the stability of our institutions, our solid macroeconomic foundations and fundamentals, these are all things that we have going for us.

So there’s a lot coming at us from around the world, but we have a lot going for us here in Australia and that’s been my message to investors representing tens of trillions of dollars here in New York City.

Journalist:

What’s your reaction to the Coalition’s reform plans in The Australian today?

Chalmers:

Oh look, my focus has been on meeting with investors here in New York City. I’m broadly aware that Angus Taylor is out there trailing his coat and I’m told that Barnaby Joyce is considering leaving the Coalition.

You know the Coalition is bad if not even Barnaby Joyce wants to be part of it. And I think what all of this internal disunity shows is that the Coalition hasn’t changed a bit, they haven’t learned a thing, they are more divisive and more divided than ever and you see that reflected in those stories.

Thanks very much.

Assault at Seaford

Source: New South Wales – News

A man is in hospital after an altercation at Seaford overnight.

About 2.20am on Monday 20 October, police and ambulance crews were called to a business on The Parade, Seaford after reports that a man had attempted to force his way into the workshop.

A fight then occurred between two men at the property.

A 46-year-old Aldinga Beach man was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

A 45-year-old Seaford man was not injured.  He was arrested and charged with assault cause serious harm.  He is expected to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court tomorrow, Tuesday 20 October.

Police believe this was not a random incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any dashcam or CCTV that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

270081

Victoria’s Virtual Hospital Pilot

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Victorians can soon trial a new way of accessing specialist healthcare, through the state’s first virtual hospital – designed to deliver care remotely and improve access to specialist care across the state.

Following a competitive tender process, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Austin Health are the successful applicants to pilot the new service.

The service, when operational, will be capable of providing acute and subacute virtual care services for more than 250 patients, and is part of the Victorian Government’s plan to connect people to the right care, free up hospital beds and support patients to receive high-quality care at home.

The pilot will include virtual wards, with an initial focus on heart failure and post cardiac patients across both metropolitan and regional Victoria, to support patients to recover at home faster.

The service will also provide virtual ward rounds and monitoring, partnering with rural and regional health services to provide regional and rural patients access to tertiary specialist expertise.

A virtual foetal monitoring service to remotely monitor the health of babies is also included, with scans then sent to the Royal Women’s Hospital for a virtual consultation, saving regional mothers a trip into Melbourne.

The scope will also include ambulance and health service capacity and demand coordination, to make meaningful use of data and help ambulances get back on the road faster.

Both hospitals are currently designing how care will be delivered and finalising which services will be offered. Patients will begin accessing care through a phased rollout commencing in December, with the pilot set to be evaluated in June 2026.

Importantly, the success of the pilot will be evaluated with consideration to a range of outcomes, including positive patient experience and outcomes, the usability of virtual technology, and equitable access to care.

The design and delivery of the virtual hospital pilot is supported by a $3 million investment through the Victorian Budget 25/26.

This builds on existing virtual care options like the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, which saw an investment of $437 million in this year’s budget to massively expand and make the service permanent.