Law & order

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.

The Queensland Police Service is reminding road users of their shared responsibility in helping to reduce the number of lives lost on local roads as part of this year's Queensland Road Safety Week. This year has been one of the worst in living memory for the local area, with crashes at Greenmount, Cambooya, Vale View and Wyreema tragically claiming lives.

The Riverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (REROC) hosted an informative presentation in Lockhart last week, focusing on the impacts of the new FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) waste mandates for businesses.

Liverpool City Highway Patrol officers deployed to Murrumbidgee Police District detected a Holden Rodeo exceeding the posted speed limit at Narrandera ...

NSW Farmers is calling for archaic, century-old water rules to be overhauled after the state government released a tone deaf ‘what we heard’ report on a review into stock and domestic water use. The report found most water users rejected the need for more red tape, and there was an opportunity to update permitted uses under the basic landholder right.

An Australian grape-export company was fined more than a million dollars last week for deliberately trying to bypass controls to export table grapes to New Zealand. The Grape House Pty Ltd pleaded guilty on 3 June to 6 counts of making false representations with the intention of dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth Official.

Angourie residents came together on Sunday as they traditionally have a family to discuss serious concerns about the escalation of crime in the village. The meeting at the Blue Pools carpark was convened by resident of 30 years, Lindsay Hunter, who said the situation escalated last month when carloads containing 12 people came to the town and threatened residents.