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Source: Tasmania Police

Police calling for information following serious crash at Kyena

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 – 2:35 pm.

Police are calling for information in relation to a serious incident at Kayena in the state’s North East this morning.
Police and emergency services were called to Rowella Road shortly before 8am after reports a man had been hit by a vehicle following an altercation with the driver.
The driver of the vehicle, who contacted police, was not physically injured.
The injured man was taken to the Launceston General Hospital by ambulance where he remains in a critical, but stable condition.
The driver was taken into custody for the purpose of mandatory blood testing and is continuing to assist police with their inquiries.
Crash investigators remain at the scene.
Anyone with information or dash cam footage is asked to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au

Source: Australia Government Statements 2

The Australian Government is increasing support to tennis in the Pacific under a renewed partnership with Tennis Australia.

This will help women and girls play more tennis and excel as athletes, coaches, officials and administrators.

The $1.2 million partnership will be delivered over four years through PacificAus Sports and help strengthen the governance of Pacific tennis organisations, give access to high-performance training and coaching and increase opportunities to compete throughout the region.

This builds on the success of existing initiatives, including the Pacific Women Leaders in Tennis program with an alumni of 40 women who have progressed into senior roles in tennis federations and boards.

The partnership will continue to strengthen connections between Australian and Pacific tennis organisations, bring communities together and support women to take up leadership roles on and off the court.

Quote attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Australia and the Pacific come together through a shared love of sport.

“The Australian Government is proud to build on our successful partnership with Tennis Australia, through PacificAus Sports, to support women’s tennis across the Pacific.”

Quote attributable to Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs, Assistant Minister for Tourism and Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Senator the Hon Nita Green:

“Increasing the representation of women in leadership roles makes organisations more resilient and inspires other women and girls to pursue their dreams.

“The Australian Government is committed to backing Pacific women to take on leadership positions – not only within sporting bodies, but across all areas of public life.”

Quote attributable to Tennis Australia Director of Government, Social Impact and Stakeholders Relations Vicki Reid:

“We are proud of our strong connection with the Pacific and our collaboration with national federations to empower and develop women and girls in tennis.”

“This partnership with proven results, enables women and girls across the Pacific with the opportunity to play, coach and lead. Attracting and retaining more women and girls at all levels of the game helps to create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for all.”

About PacificAus Sports

PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative creating opportunities for Pacific athletes, coaches, officials and administrators to access high performance training and elite competition. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket, tennis, basketball, and Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sports. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show‘ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field‘. The high performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports follow on Facebook.

 

Source: South Australia County Fire Service

Issued on
28 Jan 2026 12:37

Warning area
Goolwa South and Goolwa in the Southern Fleurieu.

Warning level
Advice – Avoid Smoke

Action
Smoke from Goolwa South house fire is in the Goolwa South and Goolwa area.

Smoke can affect your health. You should stay informed and be aware of the health impacts of smoke on yourself and others.

Symptoms of exposure includes shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing, burning eyes, running nose, chest tightness, chest pain and dizziness or light-headedness.

If you or anyone in your care are having difficulty breathing, seek medical attention from your local GP. If your symptoms become severe, call 000.

More information will be provided by the CFS when it is available.

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

New figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show inflation has increased but remains much lower than its peak and much lower than we inherited.

This increase was unwelcome but unsurprising.

Temporary factors drove some of the tick up, with inflation still expected to decline over time.

Inflation has eased substantially since we came to office but is still higher than we’d like.

Headline inflation was 3.8 per cent through the year to the month of December. This compares to 3.4 per cent through the year to November.

The monthly measure of underlying inflation was 0.2 per cent in the month, down from 0.3 per cent in the previous month. In annual terms, it was 3.3 per cent.

The quarterly measure of underlying inflation was 0.9 per cent in the December quarter, down from 1.0 per cent in the September quarter. This measure of underlying inflation was 3.4 per cent through the year to the December quarter 2025, up from 3.0 per cent in the year to the September quarter.

Today’s data shows our inflation challenge reflects a mix of temporary factors and some more persistent pressures.

Temporary factors, like the end of energy rebates and a rise in travel prices, contributed to the result, and there are some more persistent pressures in areas like housing.

The data also reflects the recovery we’ve seen in the private sector.

We’ve seen around the world that inflation doesn’t always moderate in a straight line – having increased recently in some advanced economies.

When we came to office, headline inflation was 6.1 per cent and rapidly rising, it’s now much lower than that.

Underlying inflation was around five per cent but it is now much lower.

Under Labor, inflation is much lower than we inherited, economic growth is picking up, business investment is strengthening, unemployment is low, participation is at near record highs, real wages are growing, debt is down, and the budget is in better nick.

We’ve made a lot of progress together on the economy but the job’s not done because people are still under pressure and that’s why we continue to roll out responsible cost‑of‑living relief at the same time as we modernise Australia’s economy.

The three big economic priorities for the Albanese Government this year are addressing inflation, productivity and global uncertainty, and these figures show why that’s the right approach.

Source: Tasmania Police

High range drink driver caught in Queenstown

Wednesday, 28 January 2026 – 12:46 pm.

Police have charged a 55-year-old woman from Queenstown with drink driving offences after she returned a breath analysis reading of 0.212, yesterday afternoon.
The woman has been disqualified from driving for twelve months and will face court at a later date.
Sergeant Stephen Barrow from Queenstown Police said it is very disappointing that this driver chose to put other road users at risk by driving with a reading over four times the legal limit.
“Driving under the influence is one of the fatal five causes of fatal and serious injury crashes on our roads.
“Don’t put yourself or other members of the community at risk.
“Police will continue to target dangerous driving behaviours such as drink driving in an effort to keep our roads safe.”
Anyone who suspects someone may be driving under the influence is urged to contact police on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

Source: NSW Government puts trust in NAB to transform banking and payments

28 01 2026 – Media release

Screen Australia has today expanded on the agency’s Market & Audience plans, strengthening support for the sector to reach audiences and creating new opportunities for project discoverability and engagement. 
Responding to evolving market conditions and audience behaviours, the approach aligns with the Engage pillar of the agency’s new Corporate Plan and includes three new Narrative Content Market & Audience Programs – Assets, Audience Testing and Channel Management – with the appointment of Rakel Tansley as Head of Market & Audience and a newly-created Investment Manager role for this area of focus. 
Narrative Content Market & Audience – Assets: targeted support for the theatrical sector, providing feature film producers and distributors up to $45,000 to create assets for projects during production and/or asset completion pre-release.
Narrative Content Market & Audience – Audience Testing: provides feature films with distributors up to $15,000 for testing Australian projects. The program supports audience testing domestically and/or globally during post-production and before picture-lock, as well as pre-release and after picture lock. This program aims to better inform creative strategies to increase impact and engagement.
Narrative Content Market & Audience – Channel Management: supports online/direct-to-audience producers and creatives with up to $15,000 to drive platform visibility and audience impact.
Created in consultation with industry, all three programs will open 28 January and close 26 March, with recipients announced June 2026. The first application rounds are open to projects that have previously received Screen Australia Narrative Content or First Nations narrative production funding.
To oversee the renewed programs and services, Rakel Tansley has been appointed Head of Market & Audience, ensuring all elements of the value chain effectively position local titles for success. Under the direction of the Director of Narrative Content, her expanded role includes the delivery of the new programs and continued consultation with the sector.
Tansley said, “The sector has told us that connecting Australian stories to audiences locally and globally has never been more complex. These programs have been designed to address some of these challenges and are an important first step in our plans to empower producers and distributors working together.” 
CEO of Madman Entertainment Paul Wiegard consulted on the programs’ design and said, “Screen Australia’s commitment to empowering filmmakers and distributors in connecting Australian content with audiences is critical for our industry. At Madman, we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the evolution of this support. We believe that the new market and audience programs will enhance efficiency and focus, ensuring that resources are directed effectively, thereby providing filmmakers with the best possible chance to engage and expand their audiences.”
To manage the rollout of the programs, Michelle Melky has been appointed to the newly created Investment Manager, Market & Audience position. Formerly the Global Creative Director at creator and content agency Amplify, Melky brings critical experience of audiences and community building, with a passion for Australian content and a future-focused understanding of discoverability. 
Read more about the Narrative Content Market & Audience programs, including Guidelines and FAQs here. 
Download PDF
Media enquiries
Alyssa Lim | Publicist (Mon-Fri)
+ 61 2 8113 5915  | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries
Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

28 January 2026

Who does this notice affect?

Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

What has changed?

Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have listed Agronet (AEI: FR4002SB) as ‘suspended’ on the…

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

13/01/26

Source: Government of Queensland

Issued: 8 Jan 2026

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is working to contain a bushfire burning in Pine Ridge Conservation Park on the Gold Coast.

The bushfire has impacted around six hectares of the conservation park. There is no threat to property, and the cause of the bushfire is not known.

Five QPWS crews are on site and working with the Queensland Fire Department. Smoke may be seen in nearby areas including Southport, Biggera Waters, Coombabah and Runaway Bay.

Access to the area is restricted until further notice. People are advised to follow directions from QPWS Rangers and never enter closed areas. Avoid driving through smoke where possible and be aware of firefighters working in the area.

Smoke from bushfires can reduce air quality, so people with respiratory or other health problems should seek medical advice on mitigating the effects of smoke inhalation.

If smoke affects you:

• stay indoors and close windows and doors; and
• keep respiratory medication close by.

Keep up to date on current conditions and closures by visiting Park Alerts or by following Qld Park Alerts on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Public safety is the highest consideration in all QPWS fire management activities. To find out more visit the Fire management webpage.

Live air quality data, and information on smoke and dust health actions, can be found on the Queensland Government’s website: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/monitoring/air.

Source: Government of Queensland

Issued: 7 Jan 2026

In a historic moment for land and culture, a further 167,400 hectares of the existing Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park has been handed back to the Traditional Owners, the Waanyi People.

The Waanyi Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC have agreed to lease the land back to the Queensland Government, building on the state’s first successful lease-back arrangement for national park land which was formalised in 2023.

This hand back represents the second phase of a staged approach to return the entirety of Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park to its rightful custodians.

More than 247-thousand hectares has now been handed back as part of the ongoing partnership between the Queensland Government and the Waanyi People, which will ensure the sustainable management and preservation of this iconic landscape.

The park will be rededicated as Boodjamulla National Park (Aboriginal land) following the transfer of the Aboriginal land title deed.

The hand back event took place in Cairns on 19 November, where Waanyi representatives of the RNTBC formally signed the national park lease and accepted the Aboriginal land title deed.

Executive Director Partnerships Karrell Ross said the hand back is a significant step in recognising the cultural and historical importance of Boodjamulla to the Waanyi People.

“This historic hand back is a testament to the Queensland Government’s commitment to reconciliation and the recognition of our Traditional Owners,” Ms Ross said.

“Boodjamulla National Park is a place of spiritual connection, and we are proud to work alongside the Waanyi People to ensure its preservation for future generations.

“This partnership demonstrates how we can work together to protect our natural and cultural heritage while ensuring ongoing public access to this remarkable part of Queensland.

“With harsh, breathtaking sandstone gorges, jewel-toned green waters of the Lawn Hill Gorge and stunning walking tracks, Boodjamulla National Park is one of Queensland’s most popular locations.

“It attracts thousands of visitors annually, and is on the bucket list of national and international tourists seeking natural and cultural experiences.”

The Queensland Government and the Waanyi RNTBC entered into an Indigenous Land Use Agreement in 2023, which formally acknowledges the rights of the Waanyi People.

The agreement also ensures ongoing public access to the national park and establishes a lease and Cooperative Management Agreement, enabling the Waanyi People and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to collaboratively manage the park.