AU Engine

Source: Government of Western Australia

A new, easy-to-use printed guide and map invites you to discover the stories of the people, places and natural landscapes that shape the region.

Source: State of Victoria Local Government 2

Council has adopted the Budget 2026-2027 to carefully balance the needs of today with the responsibilities of tomorrow, ensuring the City of Greater Bendigo remains financially sustainable while continuing to invest in the services and infrastructure the community relies on.

Shaped by community feedback and aligned with the Council Plan Mir wimbul 2025-2029, the Budget focuses on managing cost pressures, renewing essential assets and laying the foundations for future growth, liveability and opportunity across Greater Bendigo.

Mayor Cr Thomas Prince said the Budget is focused on continuing to invest in the everyday services residents rely on and value.

“The Budget 2026-2027 reflects what our community has told us is important: affordable services, liveable neighbourhoods, a healthy environment and strong local communities, while also supporting local jobs, business and future growth,” Cr Prince said.

“Maintaining and renewing essential infrastructure remains a clear priority, and we have invested $97M in projects our community needs most, including $47.9M in buildings, $13.3M in roads, $8.5M in pathways and $9.9M in parks and open space.

“The Budget also includes $44M dedicated to renewing and maintaining existing infrastructure people use each day.

“Our planned capital renewal program for 2026-2027 lists projects including the renovation of the Rosalind Park Conservatory, upgrade of the pavilion at Golden Square Recreation Reserve, lighting upgrades at Bendigo Library, renewal of Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve oval and cricket wicket, replacing street furniture and park furniture, a new playspace in Elmore (Michie Street) and more.

“There is funding to continue multi-year projects as well, such as the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment, Bendigo Low Line walking and cycling trail and redevelopment of North Bendigo Recreation Reserve.

“We’re also supporting community ideas in small towns, including investment in community-led projects, giving people in small townships the opportunity to bring local ideas to life.

“Budgeting is a continuous, organisation-wide process. Every day, City staff are actively receiving, assessing and responding to community feedback.

“This includes interactions from the community such as requests, community engagement, listening posts and meetings with Councillors, presenting to Council and our Community Grants program.

“As part of the Budget 2026-2027 development process, a survey was held on the City’s online engagement platform, Let’s Talk Greater Bendigo, between September and October 2025.

“We’d like to thank the 261 community members who took the time to rank what is most important to them across 14 service areas.

“The results showed our community’s top priorities for investment continue to be roads, footpaths, tracks and trails, parks, including playspaces and gardens, waste, recycling and resource recovery, growth through town planning, infrastructure and guiding development, and local sport facilities.

“These results, and feedback throughout the year, have directly informed the services and infrastructure prioritised in the Budget 2026-2027.”

The Budget has been developed in line with the State Government’s rate cap of 2.75 per cent. As with previous years, Council has not applied for a variation to the rate cap as it seeks to absorb increasing costs for supplies, goods and services.

To help keep costs down for households, there will be no increase to waste charges for ratepayers in the new financial year.

The Budget 2026-2027 is valued at $280M, with an operating budget of $186M funding services including waste collection, street cleaning, environmental health, statutory planning, road maintenance, early learning, immunisation, tourism and visitor services, and much more.

It also includes a capital works budget of $97M for both new infrastructure projects and maintaining existing assets across the community.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police have arrested six men following an overnight crime spree that saw four vehicles stolen across Darwin.

The incident began shortly before 8pm when police received reports of two stolen vehicles. The owner of a stolen Toyota Hilux was able to track their vehicle to Dinah Beach Boat Ramp, where it had been abandoned. A second stolen vehicle, a white Nissan Navara, was later located at Holmes Jungle by Strike Force Trident officers.

The offenders had continued their offending after abandoning the first vehicles. At Dinah Beach Boat Ramp, they allegedly stole a red Toyota Troop Carrier after disconnecting and leaving behind the attached boat trailer.

The group then drove to Charles Darwin University, where they allegedly rammed through a gate and stole a Toyota 75 Series Landcruiser.

Both stolen vehicles were reported driving dangerously across Darwin, including doing burnouts and reckless manoeuvres in the Yarrawonga.

Strike Force Trident deployed tyre deflation devices at exit points on Batten Road and Amy Johnson Drive. The operation was successful, with both stolen vehicles struck by the devices as they exited the area, without the offenders initially realising.

The stolen Land Cruiser was later abandoned on Boulter Road, with its occupants fleeing on foot. 

The second vehicle, the red Troop Carrier, travelled towards Crocodylus Park before also being abandoned. Strike Force Trident and Dog Operations, established a cordon and a search of the area.

Patrol Dog Cheeko successfully tracked and located three men, aged 20, 27 and 27, who were arrested without incident. One of the men had fallen into the water.

Earlier today, Dog Operations Unit assisted with the arrest of the remaining offenders, two 17-year-old males and one 19-year-old male.

Senior Sergeant Darren Burns praised the coordinated police response.

“This was an outstanding effort by Strike Force Trident, Dog Operations and responding members who worked together to quickly track and arrest those responsible.

“The offenders involved are known to police and have a history of offending. They have no regard for the impact these crimes have on innocent Territorians.

“Stealing people’s vehicles and using them to drive recklessly through our city puts lives at risk, and police will relentlessly pursue you and bring you before the courts.”

Media note: body worn footage is available upon request. 

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has charged a 39-year-old male in relation to a domestic and family violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs on the weekend.

It is alleged sometime between 6pm and 7pm on Saturday 14 June, the 39-year-old physically assaulted two adult family members at an address in Gillen. Two of the victims left the premises and police were called.

The offender allegedly armed himself with a firearm and prevented a third occupant from leaving the residence. Upon police arrival, he allegedly confronted attending police officers and pointed the firearm at them before retreating inside.

Officers withdrew to a safe distance and secured the safety of those outside while additional resources, including police negotiators, were deployed to safely resolve the incident.

After four hours, the 39-year-old surrendered and was arrested without further incident. A subsequent search of the residence located a firearm and multiple prohibited weapons. Two adult victims were conveyed to hospital for assessment, while a third suffered minor injuries.

The offender was charged with multiple serious offences, including aggravated assault, deprivation of liberty, choking in a domestic violence context, firearms offences, and assault police.

He was remanded to appear in the Alice Springs Local Court today.

The Southern Domestic Violence Unit has carriage of the investigation and enquires are ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference NTP2600057257. 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 family or domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

The ACCC has commenced proceedings in the Federal Court against Grill’d for allegedly making false or misleading representations to customers about the circumstances in which it would make donations to an environmental cause, in breach of the Australian Consumer Law.

Between January 2021 and April 2024, Grill’d ran a promotional campaign called Tree Day Tuesday, in which the ACCC alleges Grill’d made various representations, including that it would donate $1 from every burger purchased on a Tuesday towards the planting of trees.

“We allege Grill’d misled customers by overstating the extent of the donations it would make and the environmental contributions from its Tree Day Tuesday promotion. We consider this to be a form of greenwashing,” ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

“In fact, only a small percentage of purchases on Tuesdays qualified for a donation by Grill’d because of the detailed conditions of the promotion, which we say were not disclosed or not adequately disclosed to customers.”

For a purchase to qualify for a donation under Grill’d’s Tree Day Tuesday promotion, it had to satisfy the following conditions:

• the purchase had to be made on a Tuesday,
• the purchase had to be of a ‘main item’ (being a burger or a salad),
• the buyer had to be a member of Grill’d’s Relish loyalty program,
• the purchase had to be dine-in only and not takeaway, online order, or delivery,
• dine-in orders had to be placed at the front counter (orders made via QR code at a table did not qualify),
• the buyer had to scan their loyalty program bar code at the counter when ordering, and
• the purchase could not be made in conjunction with any other offer.

Over five million burgers were bought on a Tuesday during the period between January 2021 and April 2024, but only around four per cent of those purchases qualified for a donation by Grill’d under its Tree Day Tuesday promotion.

Of those five million burgers, more than one million burgers were bought by Relish members, but only about 17 per cent of those purchases qualified for a donation under the promotion.

The ACCC’s case includes 26 separate Grill’d advertisements on social media, online and in store. While the extent to which these conditions were disclosed to consumers varied between these ads, the ACCC alleges that the ads all overstated the circumstances in which donations or contributions would be made.

“Grill’d is a large fast-food chain and operates across Australia, meaning that its conduct had the potential to mislead many consumers nationwide about the environmental benefits of their purchase,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“We allege that Grill’d deprived consumers of the ability to make an informed decision by overstating the circumstances in which it would make a donation to an environmental cause, which may also have given Grill’d an unfair competitive advantage.”

“Any business that seeks to appeal to consumers’ environmental concerns must make sure that its claims are accurate and that any conditions or qualifications are adequately disclosed,” Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.

“When we see a business seeking to exploit a consumer’s environmental concerns through misleading or deceptive conduct, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.”

The ACCC is seeking declarations, penalties, costs and other orders.

Examples of Grill’d social media advertisements for the Tree Day Tuesday promotion

Screenshot of a post from the Grill’d Instagram page:

Screenshot of a post on the Grill’d Facebook page:

Grill’d advertising statements

The 26 Tree Day Tuesday advertisements contained allegedly misleading statements including:

• GROW-A-GRILL’D FOREST. For every Tuesday Grill’d burg purchase, $1 goes towards planting a tree (a statement on the Grill’d Facebook page and Instagram Page);
• You can help us grow our 100-year protected forest by buying a burger today. A burger for you, a baby tree for the planet (a statement on the Grill’d Facebook page);
• If you don’t have time in that busy schedule of yours to plant a tree today, swing by for a burger instead and we’ll plant one for you. Every burger purchased by our Relish members today helps grow our Grill’d Forests. That’s something for you and something for the planet. (a statement on the Grill’d Facebook page); and
• Thanks to you our Relish members, we’ve raised enough to plant 4 of our 10 forests with Greenfleet. Together we’re donating $1 from every burger ordered by Relish Members on Tuesdays to team with the Traditional Custodians of the land and plant trees that will be protected to grow from root to branch to leaf for a century. (a statement on the Grill’d Instagram page).

Background

Grill’d is a large, well-known fast-food restaurant business with a significant annual turnover.  Grill’d has around 173 stores operating throughout Australia, the majority of which are owned and operated by Grill’d, with a small minority operated by franchisees.

Grill’d markets itself as a business which has a focus on sustainability, the environment and contribution to the community. It has a loyalty membership program called “Relish”, which consumers can join for free. 

The Tree Day Tuesday promotion was a partnership between Grill’d and Greenfleet Trust which describes itself as an environmental not-for-profit organisation.

This issue was brought to the ACCC’s attention by an anonymous report.

Other recent actions in relation to alleged greenwashing include the ACCC’s proceedings against Edgewell and Australian Gas Networks, and the proceedings brought by the ACCC  against Clorox Australia which resulted in an $8.25 million penalty being imposed by the Federal Court.

Concise statement

This document contains the ACCC’s initiating court document in relation to this matter. We will not be uploading further documents in the event this initial document is subsequently amended.

ACCC v Grill’d Concise Statement ( PDF 439.69 KB )

Source: Tasmania Police

12‑Month Memorial – Remembering Constable Keith Smith

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 – 8:49 am.

Today Tasmania Police will honour the memory of fallen officer, Constable Keith Smith.
On the 12-month anniversary of Keith’s tragic death, members of Tasmania Police, his family and loved ones, and the broader community will gather in Ulverstone – his home – for a memorial event.
Tasmania Police Commissioner Donna Adams said today’s memorial would bring together Keith’s family, friends and colleagues and give them a safe and supportive space to remember a man who gave so much to his community.
“Today marks one year since we lost Constable Keith Smith. And while a year has passed, for many of us, time has not softened the loss,” Commissioner Adams said.
“Over the past 12 months, I have heard countless stories about Keith – from colleagues who worked beside him, from members of the community he supported, and from families who remember a police officer who didn’t just do his job, but who took the extra time to listen, to reassure, and to make people feel seen.
“Over the past year, what has stood out most is something quieter, but deeply significant – the way Keith’s influence continues to shape how we serve, and how we care for our community every day.
“As Commissioner, I am committed to building a lasting legacy that reflects who Keith was and how he served – and one that will make his family proud.”
Commissioner Adams said that the Tasmania Police Keith Smith Community Policing Award is one such example.
“This award recognises an officer who demonstrates the same values Keith embodied – someone who polices with compassion, connection, and care,” she said.
“Recipients of this award, and the purpose behind it, will be proudly displayed at the Tasmania Police Academy – a daily reminder to our officers, including our recruits, of Keith’s service and the sacrifice he made for his community.”
Commissioner Adams said that the Tasmanian community has also come together to support the blood donation initiative – Team 2390 – a simple but powerful way to give back.
“Under Keith’s badge number, emergency services have united with the goal of helping save 2,390 lives – a reminder that even in loss, we can continue to make a difference,” she said.
“Today is not only a time to remember how we lost Keith. It is a time to remember how he lived… a 25-year career built not on recognition, but on reliability, on doing the job properly, and on treating people with dignity, even in the most difficult circumstances.
“For all of us here today, this anniversary is a difficult milestone, but it is also an important one.
“Because remembrance is not only about looking back – it is about what we carry forward.
“His legacy is for all of us to actively make a difference to those around us, and to demonstrate our shared values – of accountability, integrity, respect and support – every day, and in everything that we do.
“Our thoughts remain with Keith’s family and loved ones. With honour he served, and with honour his legacy will live on.”

Source: Tasmania Police

Arrest after Evade Incident in Launceston

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 – 8:39 am.

A man has been arrested and charged with numerous offences after a crash in Launceston overnight, 16 June 2026.
At 1.20am, police observed a green Ford Festiva driving along Bathurst Street and speed through the traffic lights towards Launceston. Due to the driving behaviour, police activated lights and sirens to pull the vehicle over.
The vehicle had immediately turned into Frederick Street, drove through a red light, then hit a roundabout and rolled multiple times. The 29-year-old ran from the scene and was arrested nearby.
He was taken to the Launceston General Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries.
He was later charged with:

Evade Police (Aggravated Circumstances)
Reckless driving
Use vehicle whilst registration suspended
Unlawful possession of property
Possess controlled plant or its products.

As part of this investigation police would like to speak to anyone who saw the green Ford Fiesta in the area at the time, including any dash cam footage. Please call 131 444 or Crimestoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 and quote: OR808255. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

About the reforms

In February 2026, the Victorian Government announced reforms that aim to improve access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) care for Victorians.

From September 2026, an initial 150 General Practitioners (GPs) will undertake a training program to enable them to safely diagnose and treat ADHD in both adults and children aged 6 years and over.

In addition, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) will provide short-term access to ADHD prescriptions for people with an existing ADHD diagnosis who require urgent access to medication and cannot access their usual treating clinician. The service is designed to act as a safety net, not a replacement for routine or ongoing ADHD care.

Adults will be able to access the service from September 2026. It is currently available for children under 18 years. Further information about the children’s service is available at the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED).

Training program

The GP training program is being developed and delivered by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

GPs interested in submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) to undertake this training program are encouraged to visit the RACGP website.

EOI applications will open on Monday 15 June at 10 am and close on Sunday 5 July at 11:59 pm. EOI selections will be confirmed by the end of July.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force no longer holds concern for the welfare of a 65-year-old man after he presented to the Alice Springs Police Station earlier today.

Police can confirm he is safe and well and would like to thank the public for their assistance.

Source: Prime Minister of Australia

ANDREW LEIGH, MEMBER FOR FENNER: Good afternoon, everyone. My name’s Andrew Leigh, the Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, and for the purposes of today, the Federal Member for Fenner. It’s a real delight to be here on Ngunnawal land with the Prime Minister and Housing Minister to inspect this great social and affordable housing development. We’re here in the suburb of Jacka, named after Albert Jacka, who won Australia’s first VC. But before he went off to fight in World War One, Albert Jacka was a forester. One of the things I wonder today is whether someone on a forester’s wage would be able to afford a home the way things were left to us under the Liberals. That’s why we’ve invested so strongly in housing, including right here in my electorate. It’s a real pleasure to see these apartments that will be available as social and affordable homes in less than a year from now. My pleasure now to hand over to the Prime Minister.

< ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: T

Secondly, on another event on the other side of the world, just a shout out to the Socceroos. An amazing game yesterday afternoon. I’m sure that people throughout Australia were watching and cheering on our team, that were underestimated before the game against Türkiye. But the goals by Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe were both extraordinary goals against, on the break, after what were extensive and effective defensive strategies put in place by the team and led of course by the coach. So, to Patrick Beach, who saved so many shots on goal, and to the entire team, they worked as a unit and to everyone there in Vancouver celebrating – including some members of the press gallery, it must be said, there on holidays – good on you. And it’s fantastic that so many Australians have travelled to North America to cheer on the Australian Socceroos team and we look forward to the games against the United States and Paraguay, and then to the next round where things are looking pretty hopeful that we’ll reach there as well.

Look, it’s fantastic to be here. We’re amidst this construction of 57 new social and affordable homes. This is a part of the Housing Australia Future Fund. This is a fund that was blocked by the No-alition of the Liberals, the Nationals and the Greens and One Nation for a long period of time in the Senate. They said that it didn’t matter. Well, it does matter. These homes will be homes to Australians who need that increase in social housing. This will make an enormous difference. This is $50 million of Commonwealth expenditure on this site. It’s one of the sites where we’re building 55,000 public housing units and homes right around Australia. That compares with 373 homes, which is the total number of social housing dwellings that were built during the former government in their almost decade in office. What we have done is thrown everything at supply, whether it be public housing through the Housing Australia Future Fund, the private rentals through Build To Rent, or whether it be Help to Buy our shared equity scheme or other schemes as well, including the 5 per cent deposits that have helped 250,000 Australians buy their first home. All of these programs have been critical in increasing housing supply but also increasing access to housing.

But we need to do more, which is why we’ve changed some of the property arrangements to make sure that if you are someone who’s invested in negative gearing, you’ll continue to keep that investment. But if you’re a new person who wants to invest in negatively geared properties, then you’ll have to invest in new builds, building assets not just for yourself but assets for the nation as well. And that’s why these changes are so important so that young people who want to own their own home can go along to an auction and not have to compete unfairly with an investor who gets tax breaks that you simply don’t have access to going forward. These measures are really important. There’s nothing more important than having the security of a roof over your head. And that is primarily the purpose of housing, exactly that, to put a roof over the heads of Australian families and so that they can have the good life that we want every Australian to be entitled to. I’ll turn to Clare and then we’re happy to take questions.

< CLARE O'NEIL, MINISTER FOR HOUSING: 

Today we’re here to look at our homebuilding activities. The PM’s just mentioned there we’re on a path here to build 55,000 social and affordable homes right around the country. Remember that we are doing this effectively from a standing start. When we came to government in 2022, that was after a period of almost a decade where the Commonwealth barely built a home. 373 homes over nine years. We’re building 55,000 homes over five years. We’re really proud of these efforts. Now I said my favourite thing is meeting the tenants who will one day live in these homes and I want all of you to come back and look at this when it’s finished and meet the people whose lives will be changed by this housing. Every home we build changes the life of an Australian and their family.

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: L

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< CLARE O'NEIL: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

Think about the global fuel crisis that has just occurred and think about whether everyone in public life would be in a position to go to our Asian friends in Singapore, in Brunei, in Malaysia, in China, in South Korea and Japan and say we have a relationship that is important of mutual interest in our region. We need to make sure that we continue to have fuel supply. You look at what we have managed to, we hope that the conflict has ended, but you look at what we’ve managed to achieve. Prior to Easter, when I did the address to the nation, the Coalition were asking questions in the Parliament and saying that there would need to be restrictions on access to fuel after Easter. Immediately afterwards they dismissed the visits and the work that we did with our partners in the region and said that was a waste of time. And what we have achieved here, unlike many countries in our region, is to deliver that security of supply so that today we have more jet fuel, petrol and diesel in Australia than we had on February 28th when this conflict began. That hasn’t happened by accident. That’s happened due to relationships and by good policy through the use of Export Finance Australia to purchase fuel on the spot market. That’s what serious political parties of government are able to achieve when they’re focused on the needs of the Australian people. That’s what we’re focused on.

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: 

< JOURNALIST: 

< PRIME MINISTER: