Equity Fund reaches $3 million milestone

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The funding distributed to date has supported over 5,000 students from 2,500 Canberra families.

The ACT Government has now provided more than $3 million in financial support to Canberra families through the 2025 Future of Education Equity Fund.

Since it opened in December 2024, the Equity Fund has supported over 5,000 students from more than 2,500 Canberra families.

The fund helps ACT students from eligible families access everyday essentials to assist with their education and wellbeing.

This includes as book packs, uniforms and excursions, sport equipment and activities, tuition, and music lessons.

It supports financially disadvantaged families with students who are enrolled in preschool through to Year 12 in any ACT school.

Payments are:

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

Having such items and services, that they otherwise might not have, helps students fully engage with their education.

Applications for the 2025 school year will remain open until 28 November 2025.

Find information about the fund, and a link to apply online.


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Hooning offences – Berrimah

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has impounded a vehicle in relation to hooning offences in Berrimah last week.

On Friday 25 April 2025, a white Holden Commodore utility was witnessed conducting a burnout along McMillans Road.

The vehicle has since been impounded under anti-hooning legislation and the driver has been issued an infringement notice for the following offences:

  • Drive vehicle causing loss of traction
  • Damaging surface of road or public place
  • Drive in a disorderly manner

Superintendent Rick Magree said, “This behaviour is dangerous, reckless and will not be tolerated”

“It risks not only a fine, but serious injury or death either for yourself or for others on the road.”

Arrests – Kava seizure – Galiwinku

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested two males in relation to a large kava seizure in Galiwinku on Tuesday afternoon.

Around 1:35pm, police conducted a lawful search of a premises in Galiwinku Community after receiving intelligence that kava was being distributed in the area.

During the search, police located and seized 235kg of kava and over $15,400 in cash. Two males aged 28 and 35 were arrested at the scene and have been charged with Poses Commercial Amount of Kava and Supply Commercial Amount of Kava.

They have been remanded in custody and will appear at Darwin Local Court on 01May 2025.

Police continue to urge anyone with information about the supply of alcohol or drugs to our communities to make contact on 131 444. Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Arrest – Domestic violence and assault police – Darwin

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 39-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence and assault police incident that occurred overnight in Darwin City.

Around 7:25pm, police received a report of a domestic violence incident at a residence on Tomaris Court. It is alleged that a 39-year-old male was assaulting his female partner with a metal bar.

Police attended the scene where the alleged offender was identified, and subsequently apprehended. During the arrest, the man became violent and attempted to flee, biting one of the officers on the arm and drawing blood. OC spray was then deployed on the offender.

During the apprehension, the victim and other onlookers also became aggressive toward police, with some bystanders allegedly punching an officer in the back of the head. 

While being placed into the police vehicle, the man allegedly kicked out at both officers multiple times.

Both assaulted officers were assessed at the scene. The officer who was bitten was transported to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment and blood testing.

The 39-year-old male remains in custody and currently assisting police with their enquiries.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support services are available, including 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) and Lifeline 13 11 14.

Acting Commander of Police David Moore said, “To think, these officers attended to assist, only to be violently attacked, is deeply concerning.

“Our police do not deserve to be assaulted while protecting and serving the community.

“Biting another person is not only disgusting, but the flow on effects emotionally and potentially to the health of our members is abhorrent.

“This behaviour is despicable, and it will not be tolerated.”

Arrest – Domestic violence – Tennent Creek

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a male in relation to a domestic violence incident in Tennant Creek on over the weekend.

About 8:30pm Saturday 26 April 2025, police received reports of a domestic disturbance at a residence where a female was allegedly kicked to the head multiple times by her male partner, who was wearing steel cap boots at the time.

Police and St John Ambulance attended; however, the alleged offender fled prior to their arrival.

St John Ambulance conveyed the victim to Tennant Creek Regional Hospital for medical assessment, where she was later transported to Alice Springs Hospital for further treatment.

On 30 April 2025, police located and arrested the 46-year-old alleged offender who has been charged with Recklessly endanger serious harm, Threats to kill and Possess offensive weapon at night.

He has been remanded to appear in Tennant Creek Local Court on 1 May 2025.

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.

Melbourne Rooming house operator faces charges

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

A director of a rental accommodation services company is facing court on charges of operating a rooming house without a licence.

A rooming house is a building where one or more rooms is available to rent by four or more people. They are an affordable and comfortable rental option for many people but some of their residents are among the state’s most vulnerable.

It is alleged that Susan Trinh, the sole director of Impactz Pty Ltd, and the company, committed several offences under the Rooming House Operators Act 2016 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Along with operating a rooming house without a licence, it is alleged they also failed to:

  • lodge bonds with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority
  • complete signed bond lodgement forms and provide them to the renter
  • provide renters with two copies of the condition report before they moved in, which an operator must do if they accept a bond from a resident.

Consumer Affairs Victoria Director Nicole Rich said that Trinh and her company dealt largely with international students and workers.

Rich said the renters in these cases were particularly vulnerable, often living in a foreign country away from family and other support networks, and would likely find it more difficult to voice a complaint or pursue their rights.

Operating a rooming house without a licence is a serious criminal offence with significant penalties.

There are currently 1,650 registered rooming houses and 1,294 licensed rooming house operators in Victoria.

If you’re concerned a rooming house does not meet the minimum standards, you can report it. If your concern is about health standards, contact your local council.

This matter is listed for a mention on 23 June 2025 at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

137-2025: Version 3.0 of the Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology is now in force and approved arrangement class conditions have been updated

Source: New South Wales Government 2

1 May 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Import-related biosecurity treatment stakeholders, including all importers, brokerages, onshore approved arrangement holders, overseas government and industry treatment providers, relevant domestic state and territory government agencies, and other shipping, freight, and logistics peak industry bodies.

What has changed?

Methyl Bromide Fumigation Methodology (version 3.0)

Version 3.0 of the  Methyl…

Niger

Source:

We’ve reviewed our advice and continue to advise do not travel to Niger. There’s ongoing political instability following a military takeover in July 2023. Protests and civil unrest could occur and turn violent quickly without notice. Avoid government buildings, demonstrations, large crowds and political gatherings. The overall security situation remains highly volatile, and movement restrictions may be implemented at short notice.

There’s a high risk of terrorism, and terrorists may target places visited by foreigners, government buildings and security facilities. There’s a high risk of kidnapping across Niger and foreigners have been targeted.

Some land borders remain closed, and others may close without warning. Trying to leave Niger by land borders is likely to be dangerous. Authorities have been conducting increased security checks on foreigners arriving in Niger by air. This may result in your passport being held by authorities for several days (see ‘Safety’).

136-2025: Conclusion of the 2024-25 Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) Risk Season

Source: New South Wales Government 2

1 May 2025​ 

Who does this notice affect? 

​​Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including Master Consolidators, vessel masters, freight forwarders, treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers and principal agents— associated with shipping or importing goods that require increased intervention during the 2024-25 BMSB risk season. ​

What has changed? 

The 2024-25 BMSB risk season ended on 1 May…

CFA firefighter remembered at national memorial service

Source:

Garry Mallen’s family received a Memorial Medallion

This morning (1 May) the family of CFA Portland Fire Brigade volunteer Garry Mallen was presented with an AFAC Memorial Medallian.

The AFAC National Memorial Service, held in Canberra, is an annual event to honour fire and emergency services personnel who have died in the line of duty.

During the service, AFAC Memorial Medallions were presented to families of those being commemorated, including Garry. The service also acknowledged those people who have been added to the memorial wall. 

CFA CEO Greg Leach AFSM and CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan attended the service, along with members of Portland Fire brigade and Garry’s family.

  • Garry Mallen’s family with members of Portland brigade and Chief Officer Jason Heffernan
Submitted by News and Media