Arrests – Aggravated robbery – Wanguri

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Five male youths have been arrested in relation to an aggravated robbery that occurred in Wanguri in the early hours of this morning.

Around 2:30am, it is alleged an adult male was inside his stationary vehicle on Vanderlin Drive, when a group of youths attempted to steal the vehicle. One of the youths was allegedly armed with an edged weapon and tried to drag the victim from the vehicle.

A police vehicle drove past and witnessed the incident in progress, reporting it to police communications. The offenders subsequently fled the scene on foot in possession of the victim’s car keys.

Additional units immediately deployed, including Strike Force Trident, the Territory Response Group and additional general duties members, and five male youths aged 10, 11, 14, 14 and 15-years-old were arrested nearby.

The victim suffered a minor laceration to his hand and was assessed at the scene.

Strike Force Trident has carriage of the investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26113902. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

UPDATE: Arrest – Indecent assault – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

A 42-year-old male has been arrested in relation to an alleged indecent assault that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday.

At 7:55pm last night, following police investigations, the 42-year-old was located in the Todd River by the police drone.

He was arrested without incident and remains in police custody.

Investigations are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26113296. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Call for witnesses – Indecent assault – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an alleged indecent assault that occurred in Alice Springs today.

Around 11:45am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a female aged in her 20s had been indecently assaulted by an adult male not known to her while walking along Gregory Terrace.

It is alleged the victim was approached from behind by the offender, when he indecently assaulted her before fleeing the scene on foot.

The victim did not suffer any physical injuries.

The offender is described as being approximately 40 years old, with a dark complexion, wearing dark clothing, a light-coloured hat, and yellow footwear. He was allegedly carrying a backpack with indigenous print at the time of the incident.

The incident is not believed to be linked to a separate physical assault that occurred a short time earlier in Alice Springs.

The offender remains outstanding and investigations are ongoing to identify and locate him.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact police on 131 444. Please quote reference P26113296. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Arrest – Aggravated Robbery – Jingili

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Strike Force Trident Detectives have arrested a 21-year-old male in relation to an aggravated robbery which occurred at a licensed premises in Jingili.

Around 7:15pm on Thursday, an adult male was attempting to enter the premises whilst wearing a mask. He was confronted by security who refused his entry.

The male allegedly assaulted a staff member rendering him unconscious before assaulting him on the ground. The offender allegedly damaged the store before stealing a quantity of alcohol and fleeing.

Police responded immediately however were unable to locate the offender.

On Friday around 1:30pm Strike Force Trident Detectives identified the offender and later located and arrested him at a residence in Malak.

Strike Force Trident Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Burns said “This was a quick and professional response from the General Duties and on call Crime team that ensured we had access to the evidence to identify the offender quickly. This is exactly the type of offending that the community does not tolerate, and the ability of Trident to quickly identify, locate and arrest this offender should act as a deterrence to others intent on bringing harm to our community”

The male remains in custody with charges expected to follow.

Chigwell shooting incident, call for information

Source: Tasmania Police

Chigwell shooting incident, call for information

Friday, 17 April 2026 – 2:25 pm.

Police investigating a shooting incident at Chigwell earlier this month have issued a renewed call for information.
A 29-year-old man from Bridgewater sustained a serious gunshot wound to the head and neck area during the incident in Taree Street on the night of Sunday, 5 April.
The man received treatment at Royal Hobart Hospital and is recovering.
Detectives are requesting any persons with information, or CCTV relating to the matter, to contact Glenorchy CIB on 131 444 and quote Offence Report 802048.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.

Tree changers give much-needed boost to brigade

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Left to right: Ash & Alanah Cant, Niko & Belinda Jouhki and Marc Dankers

Leonards Hill and District Fire Brigade has received a welcome boost, with several new members joining in recent months after making the move from the city.

Brigade Captain Marc Dankers said the new members had arrived at an important time for the brigade after several years of recruitment challenges.   

“We’ve been struggling over the past few years with people moving out of the area, so welcoming new members recently has been a huge uplift for our brigade,” Marc said.   

The recruits include two couples who recently moved from Melbourne and became neighbours, social worker Alanah Cant and her husband Ash, a train driver, and gardener Belinda Jouhki and her husband Niko, an MMU Operator. Belinda and Niko’s daughter Lara has also joined CFA as a Junior recruit. 

Also joining recently is Sebastian Streat who is following in his grandfather Barry Phypers footsteps, who is still an active member with the brigade.  

 Alanah said joining the brigade felt like a natural step after moving to the area.   

“We wanted to meet people in our new community and get a better understanding of the area and of our land,” Alanah said.   

“After having an incident on our property and seeing how the brigade responded, it really inspired my husband and I to get involved.”   

Belinda Jouhki said joining the brigade was something she and Niko decided to do alongside Alanah and Ash.    

“We got the pamphlet in the mail and thought we might have a look, and then Alanah and Ash came over and said they were interested too, so we all decided to go along,” Belinda said.    

“I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get some training and learn some new skills,” she said.    

Niko Jouhki said volunteering was also about giving something back and becoming part of the local community.    

“We wanted to give something back to the community and meet new people,” Niko said.    

“I’m a mechanic by trade, so I thought maybe my skills could be useful down the track.”    

“Our daughter’s keen to get involved too, so it’s become a bit of a family journey for us,” Niko said.  

Marc said the brigade was excited to welcome the new members and see them begin their CFA journey.   

“These new members have brought great energy to the brigade, and it’s been fantastic to see them wanting to be part of the local community,” Marc said.   

CFA volunteer brigades play a vital role in protecting communities across Victoria, with members responding to fires, road crashes, storms and other emergencies.   

  • Lara Jouhki
Submitted by CFA Media

Press conference – Viva Refinery, Geelong

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

RICHARD MARLES, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: Welcome everyone today to the Viva refinery in Corio. Obviously, we wish we were here under better circumstances, but we are very pleased to have here, today, the Prime Minister, the Minister for Energy, Libby Coker, the Member for Corangamite, Ella George, who is the Member for Lara, and Scott Wyatt, the CEO of Viva, and Bill Patterson as well. We are enormously thankful that in the midst of all that has occurred here, there have been no injuries as a result of the incident. And that is very much a source for gratitude from the perspective of the local community. But with no further ado, let me hand over to the Prime Minister.

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Firearms and ammunition seized at Frankford property

Source: Tasmania Police

Firearms and ammunition seized at Frankford property

Friday, 17 April 2026 – 1:08 pm.

Guns, ammunition and cannabis have been seized from a rural property in Tasmania’s north during a targeted police operation sparked by ongoing drug intelligence.
Two Frankford men – aged 47 and 55 – have been charged with a series of drugs and firearms offences as the result of a Tasmania Police search this week. The accused men have been released on bail and are due to appear in court at a later date.
Officers from the Northern Drugs and Firearms Unit conducted the search of a property at Frankford on Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug activity.
Police allege investigators located 17 firearms, including rifles, shotguns and a .303 carbine during the search.
Large amounts of ammunition were seized, along with assorted firearm components such as barrels, bolts, magazines and trigger assemblies.
Police also uncovered about 2.5kg of dried cannabis and six cannabis plants.
Detective Acting Sergeant Nathan Wheldon said investigators would allege some of the items were concealed in the dense bushland around the property boundary, including on neighbouring land.
“Illegal firearms have the potential to cause significant harm, particularly when they are stored or concealed in a way that bypasses safety and oversight,” Acting Sergeant Wheldon said.
Tasmania Police is committed to disrupting the unlawful use of firearms.
Anyone with information about firearms crime, or the misuse or unsafe storage of firearms, is urged to contact police on 131 444.
You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au

Armoured Bearcat strengthens Tasmania Police specialist capability

Source: Tasmania Police

Armoured Bearcat strengthens Tasmania Police specialist capability

Friday, 17 April 2026 – 11:58 am.

Tasmania Police has accepted the transfer of a gifted armoured Lenco BearCat from Western Australia Police, further strengthening the organisation’s capacity to safely respond to high risk incidents statewide.The 2012 Lenco BearCat, which is the same model as the armoured vehicle already utilised by Tasmania Police, will be allocated to the Special Operations Group (SOG) and will complement existing armoured capability currently deployed across the State.Assistant Commissioner Adrian Bodnar said that the additional vehicle enhanced Tasmania Police’s ability to manage incidents involving long arms, sieges, armed offenders and other high risk situations, while providing a greater level of protection for police, other emergency service workers and members of the community.“The BearCat is bullet and blast resistant and is designed to support the safe deployment of specialist police, as well as the extraction of injured persons or members of the public from high risk environments,” he said.“Tasmania Police SOG currently operates a combination of armoured assets positioned across the State. The inclusion of this gifted BearCat will allow improved coverage in both northern and southern regions, increasing operational flexibility and resilience during critical incidents.”Assistant Commissioner Bodnar said that the vehicle was scheduled to arrive in the state this weekend, before undergoing routine maintenance and preparation prior to operational deployment, including registration and operator training.“Members of the public may see the vehicle on Tasmanian roads from time to time; however, its presence should not cause alarm,” he said.“The BearCat will not be used for general duties or patrols and will only be deployed in circumstances where specialised armoured protection is required.“The acceptance of this vehicle represents a strong example of inter jurisdictional cooperation between Australian policing agencies and ensures Tasmania Police continues to maintain contemporary, effective specialist capabilities.”

Securing more fertiliser for Australian farmers

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

he Albanese Labor Government has worked with industry and the Indonesian Government to facilitate 250,000 tonnes of additional agricultural grade urea for Australian farmers from Indonesia.

This deal, between Incitec Pivot Fertilisers and PT Pupuk Indonesia, supported by the Australian and Indonesian Governments, facilitates around 20 per cent of the remaining fertiliser needed for the current season.

The Government is working closely with Australia’s key international partners and domestic industry to secure critical additional fertiliser supply. 

Having this additional supply locked in will give greater certainty for farmers as they make planting and management decisions for this season.

This is a demonstration of the close partnership and friendship between Australia and Indonesia.

The Government will continue to work with partners across the region to support food and energy security, in the interests of Australia and our neighbours.

Australia plays a critical role supporting food security in Indonesia, and across our region, which this agreement helps strengthen.

This significant new agreement builds on the Government’s work to help get fertiliser to Australian farmers, including:

  • Joint Leaders’ Statement with Brunei Darussalam committing to cooperation on food security and resilient supply chains for food production
  • Establishing a Fertiliser Supply Working Group between Government and industry
  • Amending legislation to underwrite the purchase of fuel and fertiliser by the private sector
  • Streamlined border processes for imported fertiliser.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

 “This is a significant outcome for our farmers. We understand how critical fertiliser is for Australian farmers, for our food production system and the food security of our region.

“This deal also shows why it’s critically important that we have strong relationships with our regional partners.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong

“Australia is working with our international partners, particularly in our region, to strengthen our shared energy and food security.

“Indonesia is one of Australia’s closest neighbours and friends, and we thank the Indonesian Government for their partnership.

“The Albanese Government is focused on ensuring Australia gets the supplies we need – including petrol, diesel and fertiliser – and that those supplies can get where they’re needed.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins

“I have been working day and night with industry to support fertiliser getting to Australian farmers.

“I am very grateful for the cooperation and support of the Indonesian Government in finalising this.

“While this is a commercial deal, the Australian and Indonesian Governments have been working to support this positive outcome. 

“This guarantees supply of fertiliser to Australian farmers at this critical time.

“This will mean Australia can continue to play an important role supporting food security in Indonesia and our region at a time of global uncertainty.”

“I am very grateful for the cooperation and support of the Indonesian Government in finalising this”

Quotes attributable to Scott Bowman, President, Incitec Pivot Limited

“Incitec Pivot’s trading relationship with PT Pupuk Indonesia, supported by the collaboration between the Australian and Indonesian governments, has yielded a positive outcome for Australian for Australian farmers”

“This additional volume for the period May to December, at prevailing market prices, is another critical plank in servicing the needs of Australian farmers.

“Australian farm output is necessary for regional food security, and this is a crucial contribution to securing inputs via Australia’s largest fertiliser distributor, Incitec Pivot”

“Whilst there is more work to do to ensure farmers requirements can be fully met this upcoming season, this additional volume will go a long way to shoring up critical supplies to Australian farmers”