Law & order

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling on the Victorian Parliament to take immediate action and refer the deeply flawed Fire Services Levy Bill to a parliamentary inquiry, as it faces debate in the Upper House this week. VFF President Brett Hosking said the Bill must be referred to a parliamentary inquiry to ensure the community has a voice in the process.

At its Tuesday 18 March meeting, Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC) passed a motion to write to the State Government with objections to the proposed introduction of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund Levy (ESVFL) in its current form.

WA Firearms Act Reform 2024Firearms Act 2024 (WA)Firearms Regulations 2024 (WA) See also: Firearms Bill 2024

The commander of about 200 officers from 17 police stations across 3 Local Government Areas that encompass the Coffs Clarence Police District, Superintendent Joanne Schultz, revealed some informative and interesting insights into crime in the region at Sunday's community meeting.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced nation-leading legislation that would require suppliers to take greater responsibility for the handling and disposal of products including batteries that can cause a risk to human safety and the environment.

he Allan Labor Government has implemented Australia’s first machete ban with the Terrorism (Community Protection) and Control of Weapons Amendment Bill [2024] passing Parliament ... Penalties of 2 years imprisonment or a fine of over $47,000 for being caught in possession of one will apply.

Horsham Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a series of significant copper thefts targeting rail infrastructure in northern Victoria. Unknown offenders have been cutting lengths of copper wire, up to kilometres at a time, and stealing the product with more than 30 reported incidents occurring between Buangor and Serviceton since February 2024.

Andrew Weeks. I write in response to the commentary about the recent Senate Committee hearing, and the impact that a mandatory code for winegrape purchases will have on the Riverland wine sector. It is not surprising there is a strong voice among growers calling for a mandatory code ... However, it is misleading to suggest that installing a mandatory code of conduct will be the answer to all problems, nor is it guaranteed to only have positive impacts.

The debt exceeding $11 billion and growing, costing the taxpayer “a million bucks a day” in interest. The number of people in prison at an all time high. Crime exceeding the courts’ capacity to deal with it … Who would want to be a minister of the current Territory Government?

Opposition Leader Shane Love MLA has called for a Parliamentary Inquiry into the conduct of 2025 State Election, following serious concerns about the performance of the Western Australian Electoral Commission (WAEC). Mr Love said the widespread issues reported during the election demanded a full, independent investigation through a bipartisan Upper House Committee.

Is our usually quiet town turning into a hotspot for trading chop chop - illegal tobacco? Last week, South Australia Police (SAPOL) conducted searches at a home and business in Naracoorte, seizing around $1,000 worth of illicit tobacco. The home and business involved were not publicly identified.

There was plenty of colour and movement in Bendigo last Thursday when protestors gathered outside Premier and Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan’s electoral office. They had assembled to send her a message regarding the proposed ‘social cohesion’ laws which are under State parliamentary consideration.

The town’s focus in 2025 will be on a fight for survival of the travel industry and the nearly 400 members of Tourism Central Australia will need to join forces. That was the unanimous view of the 150 people who attended the organisation’s AGM yesterday evening.

After enduring nearly $15,000 in losses from multiple break-ins and spending around $30,000 on security upgrades, a local businessman is finally feeling a sense of relief. Police have arrested and charged a suspect believed to be responsible for the break-ins at a block of shops in Naracoorte.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has spoken out about the number of inmates languishing in police cells due to jails being full – and the CV Independent can reveal there is a 400-bed facility locally that hasn’t been open since 2022 as it isn’t fit for purpose.

The recent decision in the Tony Maddox case is yet another example of how Western Australia's Aboriginal heritage laws have become a legal minefield for private property owners. What was once a well-defined, albeit imperfect, piece of legislation largely aimed at the mining sector has evolved into a tool for increasingly ambiguous and arbitrary interpretations of cultural heritage.