Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to a vehicle that was stolen yesterday evening in Tennant Creek.
Around 7:20pm on Monday 14 April, police received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from a service station in Tennant Creek. The vehicle was confirmed to be a blue 2004 Toyota Avalon sedan.
It is alleged that while the owner of the vehicle was inside the store, he left the vehicle unsecured, and an unknown offender stole the vehicle. The offender drove in a dangerous manner around Tennant Creek, collecting an unknown number of passengers before general duties members successfully deployed tyre deflation devices.
The vehicle was subsequently abandoned in bushland on the outskirts of town.
The offenders fled on foot and currently remain outstanding.
General duties members are investigating and calling for information from members of the public to identify the driver and the other occupants of the vehicle.
Police urge anyone with information to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P25102399. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 37-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery at a massage parlour in Darwin CBD overnight.
About 12:50am this morning, police received reports of two men allegedly entering the business, stealing cash and property, and assaulting the workers within.
A 37-year-old man was arrested nearby and is currently in police custody.
Serious Crime have carriage of the investigation and are making enquiries to locate the outstanding offender.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an aggravated assault occurred in Karama overnight.
Around 10:10pm, police received reports that a 28-year-old male delivery driver was allegedly assaulted by four male youths after delivering food on Lippia Court.
It is alleged the group demanded money and goods from the victim before one of them assaulted him with a rock.
One of the males entered the vehicle and the victim attempted to drive away before he pulled over and called police, causing the offender to flee.
Police attended and provided first aid to the victim who had suffered a laceration to his forehead. He was then transported to Royal Darwin Hospital by a friend.
Occupants from the food delivery address are not believed to be involved in the assault.
Four offenders remain outstanding, and investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information in relation to the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500038848. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force have charged two men in relation to a stolen motor vehicle incident in the West Daly Region last week.
The NSW registered vehicle was allegedly stolen on 4 April 2025 and has been involved in a number of dangerous driving and assault police incidents across Palumpa and Wadeye.
Local officers, along with members from the Fugitive Taskforce, apprehended the vehicle on Saturday 12 April just outside of Wadeye, along Port Keats Road. Two men, aged 19 and 21, were arrested without incident.
The 19-year-old has been charged with:
4 x Driving, using/riding motor vehicle without consent
2 x Endanger occupants of vehicles
2 x Assault member of police force
1 x Going armed in public
1 x Drive motor vehicle while unlicensed
1 x Damage to property
1 x Permit learner – no L plates
1 x Fail to obey direction of police officer
1 x Breach of bail
The 21-year-old has been charged with:
2 x Driving, using/riding motor vehicle without consent
2 x Endanger occupants of vehicles
2 x Assault member of police force
1 x Drive in a manner dangerous
2 x Recklessly endanger serious harm
1 x Drive motor vehicle while unlicensed
1 x Drive motor vehicle while unlicensed (NT Interstate License)
1 x Breach of bail
Both were further remanded to appear in Darwin Local Court on 30/04/25 and 23/06/25 respectively.
An asbestos removal and demolition company and its director have been sentenced for the illegal operations of their waste facility in Eagleby, after previously pleading guilty to similar offences late last year in one of Queensland’s worst-ever illegal asbestos waste matters.
The sentences were handed down on 14 April 2025, by the Beenleigh Magistrates Court. Asbestos Demolition Specialists was sentenced for the following offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1994:
two offences for carrying out an environmentally relevant activity without an environmental authority; and
one offence for wilfully contravening an environmental protection order.
The company was ordered to pay a fine of $150,000.
The company’s director, Mr Anthony Palmer, pleaded guilty to the following offences under the same act:
three executive officer offences for failing to ensure the company complied with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1994;
two offences for carrying out environmentally relevant activities without an environmental authority; and
two offences for knowingly making false statements to the Department.
Mr Palmer was sentenced to six months imprisonment wholly suspended for three years and ordered to pay a further fine of $30,000.
The offences occurred between 6 October 2022 and 12 April 2024 and are largely a continuation of the previous offending related to receiving, storing, and disposing of waste illegally after an extensive investigation by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. While these offences are serious, they did not involve asbestos waste.
In October 2024, Asbestos Demolition Specialists was fined $400,000, and the company’s director copped a $100,000 fine after pleading guilty to multiple offences relating to the illegal operation of a waste facility in Eagleby.
These previous offences occurred between 29 May 2019 and 7 October 2022.
“Our role as Queensland’s environmental regulator means taking strong enforcement action against operators found to be noncompliant with their environmental obligations.
“Unlicensed operations have the potential to undermine and undercut licenced operators who have obtained the correct authorities to operate.
“An Environmental Authority, issued by the department, provides businesses with conditions they must comply with to manage environmental risks associated with their operations.
“The repeated nature of these offences, and the lack of action from the company and Mr Palmer is extremely disappointing.
“Thanks to the hard work of our compliance officers and investigators, who were critical in holding this company and its director accountable for their actions.”
Brad Wirth, Executive Director, Industry Development and South East Compliance, DETSI
Some liabilities may be enforceable but not provable5 min read
In Forex Capital Trading Pty Ltd (in liq) v Invesus Group Ltd [2025] NSWCA 64, the New South Wales Court of Appeal has confirmed that a parent company agreement under a letter of comfort to pay ‘debts … incurred’ by its subsidiary does not apply to proofs of debt admitted in liquidation.
In this Insight, we look at the decision and what can be learned from it.
Key takeaways
The court’s decision is a useful reminder that the amount for which a proof of debt is admitted by a liquidator does not always correlate with the amount for which a company is liable—eg there are some liabilities that may be enforceable against the company but not provable in the liquidation.
It also highlights the importance of precise drafting. While letters of comfort will not always provide a legally enforceable obligation, liquidators should keenly examine their content before making a decision.
Background
Forex Capital Trading Pty Ltd (FXCT) operated a business providing a platform for the sale of derivatives and foreign currency exchange products. Invesus Group Limited (IGL) was its ultimate parent company. During the course of a proceeding brought by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission against FXCT, IGL executed a letter of comfort in favour of FXCT and its directors. The letter of comfort applied regarding ‘any debts, including judgment debts, incurred by FXCT … prior to or after the date of this letter in respect of FXCT’s customers’. In the aftermath of that proceeding, in which FXCT had agreed to a penalty of $20 million, it was voluntarily wound up. FXCT’s liquidators admitted proofs of debt submitted by former customers in the amount of $43,645,127.26, under a process approved by the Federal Court. The FXCT liquidators then commenced a proceeding against IGL for breach of the letter of comfort, to recover the amount owed to former customers.
The decisions
Supreme Court
At first instance, the primary judge determined that IGL was not liable under the terms of the letter of comfort to former customers for debts admitted by FXCT’s liquidators. The court found that when a liquidator admits a proof of debt, the liquidator ‘is not creating a new liability of the company in substitution for an existing liability’. It explained that the liquidators’ admissions could not meet the definition of ‘debts’ under the letter of comfort, as the admission of a proof of debt could not alter the company’s underlying liabilities, and could not bind IGL.
Court of Appeal
On appeal, Justice Mitchelmore, with whom Justices Kirk and Adamson agreed, upheld the primary judge’s decision that the admissions of proofs of debt by the liquidator did not create a claim under the letter of comfort. Her Honour noted that a liquidator’s role under the Corporations Act2001 (Cth) is to preside over the statutory scheme by which assets are distributed. By virtue of the winding up, creditors obtain a right to participate in the distribution but the process of administration of assets is not one by which rights against the company itself are obtained or enforced.
In coming to this decision, Justice Mitchelmore explained that:
The liquidator’s admission of proofs of debt of former customers did not affect the independent existence of those claims.
There was nothing in the letter of comfort that suggested IGL accepted it would be bound by the liquidator’s determination of claims by former customers.
Useful points
Again, the decision is a strong reminder that the amount for which a liquidator admits a proof of debt does not always correspond with the amount for which a company is liable, and also that precise drafting is crucial.
If you wish to discuss anything raised in this Insight, please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts.
Two men charged as part of investigation into disturbance at Howrah
Tuesday, 15 April 2025 – 5:13 pm.
Police have charged two men as part of an ongoing investigation into a disturbance at Howrah last night where a man sustained minor injuries.
The disturbance allegedly involved people who were known to each other, and began in the carpark near the Woolworths Supermarket and continued to the Shell Service Station nearby.
During the disturbance minor damage was caused to the building at the Shell Service Station.
One person was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital with minor injuries.
The police investigation is ongoing, and at this stage police have charged a 47-year-old man from Clarendon Vale and a 47-year-old man from Sandy Bay with assault.
Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact South East CIB on 131 444 and quote OR 772311 and 772309.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
Wanneroo, Quinns Rocks and Yanchep RSL sub-branches will once again honour Australian and New Zealand service men and women who served in World War I and the conflicts that followed this Anzac Day.
Each sub-branch will host a Friday dawn service, supported by the City’s Flagship Funding.
Mayor Linda Aitken said she was proud to support the services.
“Anzac Day plays a significant role in Wanneroo’s history, and I thank our wonderful RSL Sub-Branches for honouring service men and women, past and present,” she said.
“The Wanneroo district was far from Europe, but this did not shield our tiny community from the horrors of World War I and World War II.
“This year marks 110 years since the ANZAC’s landed at Gallipoli in WWI, with the City losing nine men during the war.
“I encourage our community to come together this ANZAC Day to honour the bravery, sacrifice and service of our veterans.
“Attending a local dawn service is a meaningful way to pay your respects and show your support for those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.”
Those Wanneroo men who paid the ultimate sacrifice were Percy John Ainger, a farmer who enlisted at 17, survived the Western Front but died soon after coming home.
Richard Waltham, a farmer who died aged 22 in France. Ernest John Dudley White, the son of Henry and Mary-Ann White, the first caretakers of the Yanchep Caves and Hunting Lodge.
Richard Smales, a 21-year-old gardener. William Cockman, gardener and son of Wanneroo pioneers James and Emma Cockman.
Charles Knight. The Bennett brothers; Albert, Herbert George, and James Dunn.
The City’s Flagship Funding supports not-for-profit community groups and organisations delivering community initiatives that recognise, celebrate and commemorate the City’s rich history and diverse culture.
2025 Anzac Day Services
Yanchep-Two Rocks RSL Sub-Branch
Yanchep National Park
Dawn Service, 5.30am for a 6am start
Main Service, 10.30am for an 11am start
Wanneroo RSL Sub-Branch
Wanneroo Memorial Park
Dawn Service followed by a march and gunfire breakfast, 5.45am
Quinns Rocks RSL Sub-Branch
Quinns Rocks Sports Club
Dawn Service followed by a gunfire breakfast and two-up, 5.45am for a 6am start
Victorians are being reminded to book in their annual flu vaccination ahead of winter peak season, with free flu vaccines now available for children under five years old and other at-risk groups.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Tarun Weeramanthri is encouraging more Victorians to get their annual flu vaccine, with reported cases of flu and other respiratory viruses already on the rise.
Dr Weeramanthri said babies and toddlers need special protection from the flu, as they are more likely to get severe illness and need treatment in hospital.
“The flu can be serious, especially for children which is why the vaccine is free for children under five,” Dr Weeramanthri said.
“For vulnerable groups in the community the flu can be deadly and for others it can result in severe health effects and long recovery periods.”
“It’s critically important to stay up to date with your vaccines – the influenza virus changes throughout the year and that’s why new vaccines are developed for each season. Vaccination is the best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, friends and people at most risk in the community.”
Flu vaccination is recommended for anyone six months and older and is free for at risk groups including children aged six months to five years, people over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe flu.
People can get their vaccine at general practices, pharmacies, local council immunisation clinics, Aboriginal Health Services and often at their workplace.
There have been more than 11,000 notified influenza cases in Victoria this year already, which is almost twice as many as for the same time last year. It remains early in this year’s flu season and numbers are expected to rise more steeply in the winter months.
Dr Weeramanthri highlighted the flu is highly contagious and while it most often causes mild to moderate illness with symptoms such as fever and cough, severe illness can develop. Babies, children, older people, and people with underlying medical conditions were amongst the most vulnerable.
“Having an annual flu vaccine will not only reduce your chances of catching the flu but also reduce the severity of your illness if you become infected,” he said.
Flu vaccines can be given at the same time as other National Immunisation Program vaccines, such as the new free maternal RSV vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine.
In addition to vaccination, simple steps can help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses such as washing hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow, wearing a mask, and staying home when sick.
With the 2025 Bendigo Easter Festival starting this Friday, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their trip to and from the major event during the busy long weekend.
Road closures and detours will be in place in the city centre to facilitate the staging of Bendigo’s biggest homegrown community festival. Many of the road closures will be in effect from Wednesday April 16 to Monday April 21.
No unauthorised vehicles will be permitted within the Bendigo Easter Festival precinct/road closure areas during event times. These areas have been declared a temporary tow away zone.
Residents and visitors are strongly advised not to park or leave a car overnight in the tow away zone. Any unauthorised vehicle left in the road closure area during the event times will be towed to a location outside of the closure area if Victoria Police is unable to contact the owner to move the vehicle.
City of Greater Bendigo Manager Economy & Experience James Myatt said it was important for people to be aware in advance of the tow away zone and road closures.
“The road closures and the tow away zone across the festival precinct are necessary to meet the needs of staging Bendigo’s biggest community festival and accommodate thousands of people flocking to events and activities on foot,” Mr Myatt said.
“The City would like to take this opportunity to thank residents and local businesses for their understanding and patience while these temporary road closures are in place.
“I strongly encourage residents and visitors to plan your trip to the festival using the detailed information and updates on the Bendigo Easter Festival website and Facebook.
For festival information, including maps for road closures and accessibility, visit: