AU Engine

Source: South Australia Police

Overnight on Thursday 6 November, a Yamaha motorbike was stolen from outside an Adelaide home. Fortunately, the motorcycle was fitted with GPS tracking which led Northern District patrols to an address in Elizabeth Grove.

Just after 5.30am Thursday morning, officers entered the property where they located the stolen Yamaha, in addition to three other stolen motorcycles.

During a further search, a stolen BMW and Chrysler sedan were also uncovered.

Police further located what is alleged to be a large commercial quantity of GHB (fantasy) inside the home.

A 46-year-old man and 26-year-old woman from Elizabeth Grove were arrested and charged with trafficking a large commercial quantity of a controlled drug. The man was further charged with multiple counts of theft and unlawful possession.

The duo were both refused police bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court in the coming days.

The motorbikes and vehicles were all seized for forensic examination.

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Source: South Australia Police

Margaret Burnie, who was 34 when she disappeared, was last seen at her home address in Mount Gambier on 23 January 1988.

Her family became concerned for her safety and welfare when she could not be found and failed to contact them for several weeks. Margaret was reported missing by her sister on 10 February 1988.

Police believe Margaret has been murdered.

The search, with the assistance of local police, STAR Group and State Emergency Service volunteers will focus on a property on Burnda Road, Compton.

The property, located several kilometres west of Mt Gambier, is about one sqkm in size. The search is expected to last for two days.

Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said today’s search for the remains of Margaret follows an ongoing review of the cold case and assessment of all available evidence.

“Detectives have maintained close contact with members of Margaret’s family and they are supportive of the efforts of police to locate Margaret,’’ he said.

“It is a tragedy that Margaret’s family have spent the last 37 years without answers.

“Major Crime Detectives continue to actively investigate all cold case crimes to provide families with the answers they are seeking and bring those responsible to justice.”

Detective Superintendent Fielke said it is likely there are individuals in the Mount Gambier and South-East community who have knowledge of what happened to Margaret.

“We would encourage those people to come forward and speak with police,’’ he said.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at https://crimestopperssa.com.au/

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force has now charged a 21-year-old male following a fatal pedestrian strike in Timber Creek on Monday, 3 November 2025.

The male has been charged with one count of murder and has been remanded in custody to face Katherine Local Court 7 November 2025.

Investigations remain ongoing into the circumstances of the related stabbings during the incident. The two victims remain in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police continue to urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444 quoting reference number NTP2500109691. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

6 November 2025

Who does this notice affect?

Biosecurity industry participants and accredited persons operating under approved arrangement Class 19, who are interested in attending an information session on the upcoming Release 3 (other email users) of industry reporting via the Biosecurity Portal.

What has changed?

The department is pleased to announce that Release 3 of Biosecurity Industry Reporting will be rolled out via the Biosecurity Portal.

Release 3…

Source: Australian Capital Territory Policing

Consumer Affairs Victoria has released new guidelines that real estate agents must follow when selecting the most comparable properties to help determine a home’s selling price.

Under Victoria’s underquoting laws, estate agents must select 3 recently sold properties in the local area to compare against when setting a reasonable estimate of a home’s selling price. These comparable properties are also listed in the published Statement of Information.

Our underquoting taskforce has found some agents were ignoring the most similar properties recently sold in the local area, instead choosing properties that differ in one or more important features, and sold for a lower price. This can mislead potential buyers.

When selecting comparable properties, agents must already consider the standard, condition, location, and sale date of recent properties. The refreshed guidelines add new factors that agents must consider, including:

• whether the properties are renovated or unrenovated
• build status, such as fully built homes versus vacant lots
• if near-identical properties in the same estate or apartment complex have recently sold, and
• similarities or differences in school zones, proximity to shops and other neighbourhood features.

These updates will ensure agents follow clearer requirements to set prices using the most relevant and accurate property comparisons. This will help homebuyers make more informed decisions about a property’s likely selling price.

Consumer Affairs Victoria can request information and documents from agents to assess whether their chosen comparable properties were reasonable. Agents who fail to comply may face penalties.

These changes build on the ongoing work of the underquoting taskforce to crack down on unfair and unlawful underquoting in Victoria’s property market.

Since its launch, the taskforce has received more than 5000 complaints through its dedicated underquoting webform. More than a quarter of these complaints allege that agents used unreasonable comparable properties.

More than a third of complaints have come from other agents, showing that many in the industry are committed to fair and lawful practices.

The taskforce monitors the property market through tracking sales campaigns, inspecting estate agencies and attending auctions.

Over the Cup Day weekend, officers attended over 40 auctions in the City of Whitehorse, City of Wyndham and neighbouring local government areas to ensure compliance with the law.

So far, the taskforce has:

• issued over 200 infringements totalling over $2.3 million in fines
• delivered over 290 official warnings to agents in breach of their obligations
• taken legal action against several agents for serious alleged breaches.

Agents who underquote risk penalties of over $40,000 and potential loss of sales commissions under Victoria’s estate agent laws, and penalties of up to $50 million for companies and $2.5 million for individuals under Australian Consumer Law.

If you suspect underquoting, report it to us.

Find more information about underquoting.

Source: South Australia Police

About 7pm Wednesday 5 November, police searched a man at a licensed premises on Victoria Terrace, Taperoo. A 3D printed firearm was found in his backpack along with a flick knife and a quantity of methamphetamine.

The 27-year-old Ethelton man was arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, having no firearms licence, possessing a knife in a public place and two counts of breaching an intervention order.

He was refused police bail and will appear in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court later today.

The man was issued a three-month licensed premises barring order and a drug diversion for possession of the methamphetamine.

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Source: Tasmania Police

Speeding drivers caught during Ridgley Highway operation

Thursday, 6 November 2025 – 9:38 am.

Western Road Policing Services intercepted 22 speeding drivers during a targeted operation on the Ridgley Highway yesterday afternoon.
Acting Inspector Martin Parker said three of the drivers were travelling at speeds of more than 30 kilometres above the limit.
“It is incredibly disappointing that these drivers chose to put not only their own life at risk, but the lives of other road users by speeding,” he said.
“They were also travelling on wet roads, making the situation even more dangerous.
“We are urging all road users to please make good choices and help us keep everyone safe.”
During the five-hour operation, police also issued infringements for two drivers with unregistered vehicles, and issued two defect notices.
Incidents of dangerous driving can be reported to police on 131 444 or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Reports can also be made via Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

Source: Tasmania Police

Fatal crash – Morty’s Food Court, Launceston

Thursday, 6 November 2025 – 8:53 am.

Sadly, a woman has died following a serious crash at Morty’s Food Court in Launceston yesterday. 
Police and emergency services were called to the scene just before 12.30pm Wednesday after a car crashed into the building and seriously injured a pedestrian.
The 67 year old woman was taken to hospital by ambulance in a critical condition, but sadly died overnight.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing. 
The driver, a 65 year old Lilydale man, was treated for minor injuries and is assisting police with their inquiries. 
A report will be prepared for the coroner. 
Our thoughts are with the woman’s family and loved ones at this difficult time. 
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information should contact police on 131 444 and quote OR789383

Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

Most furniture suppliers are failing to comply with new mandatory information rules that warn customers of the dangers of furniture tipping over, a sweep of businesses has revealed.

The ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies examined over 3000 furniture products at more than 160 businesses.

Of those businesses, 90 per cent were non-compliant with the mandatory toppling furniture information standard in relation to one or more of their products and more than half were non-compliant in relation to all products examined.

Toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000 and causes nearly 20 injuries every week. The mandatory information standard, which came into effect on 4 May 2025, aims to reduce accidents and deaths due to furniture tipping over.

It requires toppling furniture safety warnings to be provided to consumers online and in-store at point of sale, on products purchased by consumers, and in instructions that accompany products.

“Unsecured furniture items like bookcases and cabinets can unexpectedly tip over causing severe injury or death,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

“It can happen when a child climbs or pulls on open drawers or when an elderly person uses furniture for support. Young children and older Australians are at greatest risk of injury.”

“We undertook surveillance, in partnership with state and territory consumer protection agencies, which included visiting stores around the country and online, to raise awareness of the importance of compliance with the new mandatory information standard,” Ms Lowe said.

“We are concerned about the low levels of compliance. It is critical that businesses include warnings and safety information on toppling furniture.”

The sweep found 90 per cent of furniture suppliers had one or more products which failed to include mandatory warnings.

About 52 per cent were fully non-compliant, meaning all toppling furniture products inspected had either no warning information displayed or had incorrect or incomplete information.

Only 10 per cent of businesses were assessed as fully compliant with the mandatory information standard requirements.

“The ACCC expects suppliers to take all reasonable steps to comply with the standard, to reduce the risk of death and injury associated with toppling furniture,” Ms Lowe said.

“We will be continuing to monitor businesses to ensure they are displaying the mandatory safety warnings so that consumers have the information they need to stay safe. 

“We expect to see significant improvement in compliance and will consider enforcement action if this does not occur,” Ms Lowe said.

The ACCC and state and territory consumer protection agencies have informed furniture suppliers who were assessed as non-compliant and requested rectification. Suppliers who fail to comply with the standard may face enforcement action including fines and penalties.

Suppliers had a 12-month transition period from May 2024 to May 2025 to comply with the new information and labelling requirements.

Information for suppliers

Supplying a product that fails to comply with the information standard is a contravention of the Australian Consumer Law and may expose a business or individual to potential enforcement action by the ACCC.

The maximum financial penalties for businesses are the greatest of:

1. $50,000,000;

2. three times the value of the “reasonably attributable” benefit obtained from the conduct, if the court can determine this; or

3. if a court cannot determine the benefit, 30 per cent of adjusted turnover during the breach period.

The maximum financial penalty for individuals is $2,500,000.

The ACCC published supplier guidance to assist suppliers to comply with the mandatory standard.

The information standard requires suppliers to:

• attach permanent safety warning labels to furniture,
• display safety warnings at the point of sale in-store and online, and
• provide safety information and warnings in instruction manuals.

All suppliers in the supply chain, including retailers, wholesalers and distributers, are required to comply with the mandatory information standard.

ACCC consumer guidance

The ACCC published consumer guidance to inform consumers about the risks associated with toppling furniture, including how to pick safer furniture when shopping and how to properly anchor furniture to prevent tip over.

Consumers are encouraged to report concerns about unsafe or non-compliant furniture items to the supplier and the ACCC using the Product Safety Australia website.

Source: ACT Police

Last update: Wednesday, 5 November 2025 4:15pm

Original publication: Wednesday, 5 November 2025 4:11pm