Law & order

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Kirrilee Warr MLA, has labelled the implementation of the Cook Labor Government’s Stop Puppy Farming laws a "dog’s breakfast" after the Government abandoned a $9.8 million contract just days after the new laws had taken effect.

Clarence Valley Council has been directed by the Northern Regional Planning Panel to agree to an amended proposal for a Yamba manufactured home estate which is subject to an appeal in the Land and Environment Court.

Kumanjayi White, who died in custody in Alice Springs this week, had his own house in Yuendumu but in recent times his family and the community had found it impossible to make satisfactory arrangements for his care. Ned Jampjinpa Hargraves, a respected elder who in a statement on Thursday called White “my jaja” (grandson), said this in an exclusive interview with the Alice Springs News.

Allora recently hosted a session at the Allora P-10 State School with an aim to create more awareness and empower members of the community about the early warning signs of coercive control.

Police allege a teenage boy was threatened with a gun during an attempted break-in at Ramsay property last Saturday. Police have charged three men in relation to the incident ... It is then alleged one of the offenders with a firearm threatened a teenage boy, who was a neighbour, before the three offenders left the scene in a red 2008 Holden Commodore utility ...

Local police intelligence personnel track known regional grievances, according to a spokesman, replying to questions from the Alice Springs News whether initiatives are in place to prevent criminal payback after alleged events such as last Thursday’s in Gregory Terrace ... “As part of preparedness and prevention, Alice Springs police [act] to ensure possible flare ups are managed, for example [by considering] court appearances or community source information."

Two men – one from Butler and the other from Narrogin – have been fined for fishing for marron out of season. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) said 22-year-old Butler man was ordered to pay $7000 and a 39-year-old Narrogin man $6500 for their involvement in marron fishing offences committed at Harris Dam in December 2023.

Domestic violence perpetrators in Queensland who repeatedly use violence or abuse to control others in relationships can now be charged with the new offence of coercive control. The new criminal offence applies to acts of violence or abuse forming a course of conduct committed from today (26 May) and carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.

Gannawarra Shire Council has formalised its opposition to the State Government’s implementation of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund. Councillors approved an urgent item motion at last week’s Council meeting opposing the fund, which will come into effect in July to support VICSES, Triple Zero Victoria, the State Control Centre, Forest Fire Management Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria, as well as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV).

The proposed State Government levy at the centre of a recent community meeting in Baringhup has been passed by the Victorian Parliament ... During her visit to Castlemaine Station, Premier Jacinta Allan responded to a TT query about the timing of the new levy.

Blake Lee. Thousands of firefighters, farmers and regional Victorians rallied on the steps of State Parliament ... Producing a cacophony of sirens through Melbourne streets during peak hour, fire trucks and volunteer firefighters made the journey from all corners of the state, bringing an estimated 300 fire trucks into the city.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has made changes to its local laws to assist those struggling to secure housing by allowing short-term residential use of caravans … Council resolved last month to amend its Subordinate Local Law No. 1.3 to allow temporary residential use of caravans, subject to conditions that manage public safety and amenity.

With his head lowered and a diary in hand, independent member for MacKillop Nick McBride appeared before the Naracoorte Magistrates Court on May 7 ... faced resident magistrate Koula Kossiavelos for the first time, confronting three charges related to the alleged assault of his estranged wife of three decades, Katherine McBride, on April 10 at a property in the south east.

Carey Brennan. Angry farmers and CFA members from all over Victoria gathered on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Tuesday to protest the proposed new tax by the State Government.

Allora Police are unimpressed with a spate of graffiti across the Allora district. "Over recent months, there has been an increase in the instances of graffiti occurring about the area; not so much in town, but on the outskirts and around Hendon, Deuchar and Mount Marshall," … By-and-large the "tags" are being made on the roadway, but also over road signs.

The Albanese government, fresh from electoral victory and emboldened by a tighter alliance with the Greens, has wasted no time signalling its intentions: the nation’s nest eggs are in its sights with their plans to tax unrealised gains on super accounts over $3m ... It’s a dangerous shift in the philosophy of taxation, and one that poses deep constitutional and legal questions.

Despite strong opposition from the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF), the Country Fire Authority (CFA), and farmers from all corners of Victoria, the Allan Labor Government’s proposed Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund has today passed a vote in Parliament. The VFF is deeply disappointed by this outcome and remains gravely concerned about the impact this levy will have on farmers...

Sergeant Jim Richardson has taken up his new role in Nhill with a clear focus: community connection, education, and proactive engagement. With over four decades of experience in policing, including 31 years based at Goroke, Jim is no stranger to the needs and strengths of rural communities.

We put out the call, and you answered – hidden abuse is happening right now in our town. "The nice neighbour you have next door - and have known your whole life - isn't always who you think they are behind closed doors," one person told us. "It happens in 'good' families too," said another.