Equity Fund applications open for 2025

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Fund helps make sure Canberra students have equal opportunities to participate fully in their schooling.

In brief:

  • The Education Equity Fund helps low-income families with the cost of education essentials for their children.
  • Families can apply for a one-off payment from today.
  • The Fund supports students from preschool to year 12 in all ACT schools.

From today, low-income families can access financial help to use on education essentials for their children.

Eligible ACT families can apply for a one-off payment via the ACT Government’s Future of Education Equity Fund.

This will help cover 2025 education expenses as cost-of-living pressures continue.

The Fund helps make sure Canberra students have equal opportunities to participate fully in their schooling.

It supports families to buy education essentials like:

  • book packs
  • uniforms
  • excursions
  • sports equipment and activities
  • tuition
  • music lessons.

The Equity Fund supports students from preschool through to Year 12 in all ACT schools.

Assistance so far

In 2024, the Fund has provided more than $3.3 million to more than 5,700 students from financially disadvantaged families.

Applications for the 2025 school year have opened earlier than for 2024.

This aims to help families manage back-to-school costs. It also ensures children can start the year with everything they need.

Applying is easy

You can apply for the fund if you are a low-income family with a child enrolled in an ACT school from preschool to year 12.

Applications also allow families to apply for all eligible students in their family in a single application.

This is the case even if children attend different schools.

Payments for the 2025 school year are:

  • $400 for preschool students
  • $500 for primary school students
  • $750 for high school and college students.

Applications for the 2025 Equity Fund will remain open until the end of November 2025.

Find more information about the Equity Fund


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Arrest – Domestic violence – Millner

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 37-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred early this morning in Millner.

Around 12:30am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received several reports of a male assaulting a female in the vicinity of Aldridge Place.

Police and St John Ambulance attended, and the 37-year-old male was arrested. The victim was treated at the scene before being conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital.

The male and female are believed to be known to each other.

The offender remains in police custody with charges expected to follow.

Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25103778. 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.

Call for information – Disturbance – Katherine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a large disturbance that occurred in Katherine overnight.

Around 12:55am this morning, police CCTV operators reported a large disturbance involving multiple people occurring at the rear of a service station on Railway Terrace.

A Hilux was sighted driving erratically, ramming into unoccupied vehicles numerous times, and driving at persons in the area. An 18-year-old male was allegedly struck by the vehicle during the incident.

Police, St John Ambulance and Northern Territory Fire and Rescue attended the scene, and the male was transported to Katherine Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The group, including the driver of the vehicle, fled the area upon police arrival. Numerous weapons were located inside the vehicles and seized.

A crime scene was declared, and investigations are ongoing.

Acting Commander Terry Zhang said, “This type of reckless and dangerous behaviour has absolutely no place in our community.

“We understand this incident may be linked to an ongoing feud between community groups. Police will be working closely with community leaders and cultural authorities to help de-escalate tensions and prevent any further violence. Additional resources will be deployed to enhance our presence and ensure community safety.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444.”

Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Arrest – Drink driving and Alcohol seizures – Avon Downs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 44-year-old female for drink driving in Avon Downs last night.

About 8pm, police conducted a traffic apprehension on the Barkly Highway and the driver returned a positive roadside breath test with a subsequent confirmed BAC reading of 0.127%.

The vehicle was lawfully searched, and Avon Downs members seized 24 litres of alcohol that was destined for a remote Aboriginal community. The 44-year-old female was arrested and charged with Drink driving medium range and will appear in Tennant Creek Local Court at a later date.

Anyone with information on the supply of alcohol or drugs into remote communities can call police on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Call for information – Aggravated robbery – Tennant Creek

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred this morning in Tennant Creek.

Around 7:10am, an unknown male offender entered the driver’s seat of a Toyota Hilux, in an attempt to steal it from a driveway in Casey Street.

A 52-year-old female had briefly exited the vehicle to close a gate, when she observed the offender attempting to drive away with the vehicle.

The victim grabbed onto the vehicle’s bull bar and was dragged a short distance while the offender allegedly attempted to drive away with the vehicle. The vehicle subsequently became wedged against a fence.

The offender allegedly broke the driver’s window to exit the vehicle and fled from the scene on foot. He currently remains outstanding.

The victim suffered minor injuries and investigations are ongoing.

Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25103953. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Manjal Jimalji (Devil’s Thumb) trail reopened

Source: Tasmania Police

Issued: 16 Apr 2025

The iconic Manjal Jimalji (Devil’s Thumb) trail has reopened following the realignment of a new access track to the trail head.

The trail was closed in November to allow rangers from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to conduct the necessary works.

Clearance and maintenance works has also been conducted along the trail to improve the visitor experience.

The 10.6-kilometre trail is considered one of the best walks in far north Queensland and attracts national and international visitors.

The challenging trail showcases the unique vegetation of the upland and lowland rainforests and the amazing range of bird life that calls the Daintree home. It also provides an incredible view of the coastline and the surrounding rainforest.

A grade four walking track, the trail takes around ten hours return and should be attempted by experienced hikers with an above average level of fitness.

Manjal Jimalji is a significant cultural site for the Eastern Kuku Yalanji that tells the story of fire creation.

Man charged with multiple offences in relation to evade incident that concluded in Blackmans Bay

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Man charged with multiple offences in relation to evade incident that concluded in Blackmans Bay

Wednesday, 16 April 2025 – 2:57 pm.

Police have charged a 32-year-old man from Blackmans Bay with multiple offences following an evade incident that concluded in Blackmans Bay yesterday.  
The man was charged with offences including evade police (aggravated circumstances) and common assault. 
He was remanded to appear before the Hobart Magistrates Court today. 

125-2025: Expansion of Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) onto import pathways for test kits and purified antibodies

Source: New South Wales Government 2

16 April 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Importers and brokers of:

  • Test kits not testing for disease agents, imported under tariff codes 3822.19, 3002.12 or 3002.15.
  • Purified antibodies raised against inorganic material or antigens from multicellular organisms, imported under tariff codes 3002.12 or 3002.15.

What has changed?

Additional commodity import pathways onto the CBIS

The department is adding two new document-controlled…

Hong Kong

Source:

We’ve reviewed our advice for Hong Kong and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution. Hong Kong has strict laws on national security that can be interpreted broadly. You could be detained without charge and denied access to a lawyer (see ‘Local laws’).

Update – Man arrested over Mawson Lakes house fire

Source: New South Wales – News

A man has been arrested following a house fire at Mawson Lakes early this morning.

Police and fire crews were called to a home on Greenleaf Court about 2.20am on Wednesday 16 April following reports of a fire.

Flames could be seen coming from the roof of the two-storey property.

When police arrived, they found the home fully engulfed by the fire. Thankfully no one was home at the time but unfortunately the property was completely destroyed in the blaze.

Fire Cause Investigators attended the scene and determined the fire to be suspicious.

Northern District Detectives identified a suspect and he was arrested by police at Bordertown late this morning.

A 57-year-old man from Mawson Lakes was arrested and is expected to be charged with arson at Mount Gambier Police Station later today.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssa.com.au/ on 1800 333 000. You can remain anonymous.