Law & order

The Clarence Valley Independent’s Grafton Journalist Emma Pritchard had an informal meeting with Clarence Valley Council (CVC) General Manager Laura Black last week on October 7 in relation to leaked internal emails which have been linked to the termination of more than 100 semi-permanent holiday caravans from four Council managed caravan parks and the subsequent community criticism Council is currently facing after many labelled the contents as inappropriate and insensitive.

News the Federal Government will overhaul its proposed superannuation tax has come as a win for farming families in NSW. On Monday Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced his plans to introduce a new super tax would no longer include a tax on unrealised gains.

Australian farmers have claimed a monumental win ... with the Federal Government set to revise its proposed ‘Super Tax’ following strong and united advocacy from the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and its members. NFF President David Jochinke said the Government’s decision to revisit the tax was the right one.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the Federal Government's significant amendments to its proposed superannuation tax, describing the changes as a substantial improvement that will protect thousands of farming families from the worst impacts of the original policy.

...We are boosting the low-income superannuation tax offset (LISTO) and making a number of important changes to better target superannuation concessions for large balances ... We are also making a number of practical changes to the design and implementation of our policy to better target superannuation concessions ...

A member of the Central Desert Regional Council, Clifford Tilmouth has confirmed he is one of three men issued notices to appear in relation to an alleged cattle theft from Alcoota, a property north of Alice Springs, on August 5.

The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, has slammed the Allan Labor Government for failing to address the worsening crime wave across regional Victoria ... Fresh figures ... reveal substantial increases in criminal incidents, offender rates, and family violence ...

Three people have been remanded in custody and are due to appear before the Perth Magistrates Court ... after police found a missing man’s body in bushland north-east of Wanneroo ... WA Police said homicide squad detectives had charged three people with murder following the discovery of the body of 33-year-old Attadale man Jayden Selfe.

Dozens of fire trucks and hundreds of people gathered at Weeroona Oval in Bendigo on Sunday 14 September to protest against the State Government’s recently introduced Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF). Organised by the CFA Volunteers Group, the protest attracted people from across the region...

A major milestone in Victoria’s decade-long Treaty process has been achieved with the Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria reaching in-principle agreement on Australia’s first Treaty. The first negotiated Statewide Treaty Agreement brings together First Peoples, through the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and the Victorian Government, to build a new relationship based on respect, trust and integrity.

Hugh Schuitemaker. Struggling Riverland grape growers would have a better chance of staying in the industry – and sustaining the region's economy – if an indicative pricing Bill being introduced to State Parliament today becomes law, an SA MP says. The Bill would force processors to release indicative prices by September 30 each year, giving growers the choice of opting out of loss-making vintages months in advance, rather than plunging further into debt ... MLC Sarah Game will introduce the Bill to the upper house ...

Liberal Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has urged Treasurer Jaclyn Symes to repeal Labor’s Holiday Tax that is harming Victorian tourism businesses. Recently released data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that international visitors are choosing other states over Victoria, as the Allan Labor Government’s Holiday Tax has made taking a holiday in Victoria more expensive than ever.

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has expressed deep disappointment at the passing of the VicGrid Bill through the Legislative Council, warning it grants sweeping powers to the government while doing little to protect farmers and regional communities.

The Government has been ordered to release an investigation into the Whitsundays helicopter crash that killed four Defence Force airmen. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts secured a Senate order to have the national workplace health and safety regulator (Comcare) brief of evidence and investigation into the Taipan helicopter crash released.

Police say they are investigating a report of an alleged cattle theft north-east of Alice Springs. Sources contacting the Alice Springs News say the stock belongs to the Alcoota Aboriginal Cattle Company from the Engawala community who for 30 years have been able to graze and run a cattle enterprise on Alcoota Station.