Opinion piece – Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group to target serious online harms: Krissy Barrett
Krissy Barrett. When I became AFP Commissioner last year, I said I would have candid conversations with Australians to inform them about the threats they face ... But parents and caregivers now need to be aware of entrenched and emerging criminal threats because of rapidly-evolving technology.
Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group to target serious online harms: AFP, ACIC
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Krissy Barrett and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) CEO Heather Cook will help spearhead new tech partnerships and AI solutions at a meeting with Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group (FELEG) agencies in London this week, amid growing online threats seriously impacting youth and vulnerable communities.
Fuel crisis forces Little Wings to cut flights for sick country kids
Soaring aviation fuel costs are forcing the children's charity flight service Little Wings to cut back, with consequences for some of the most vulnerable families in the far west. The organisation has had to reduce its number of flights, limiting access to vital developmental assessments and therapy for children in Broken Hill and other remote communities.
New licence supports SeaStock to scale up seaweed production: Jarvis
The Cook Labor Government has granted an aquaculture licence to Fremantle-based company SeaStock Pty Ltd for Western Australia's first commercial scale, land-based seaweed production facility, now under construction in Oakford. In recent years, algae aquaculture markets have developed significantly both locally and abroad for a type of red algae known as Asparagopsis.
Puppy farm withdrawn after online campaign
An application was lodged on Tuesday 14 April to Mount Alexander Shire Council (MASC), for the establishment of a ‘Domestic dog breeding centre and rural worker’s accommodation’ in Elphinstone. The MASC’s online Public Planning Register shows that a determination was made relating to the matter on Wednesday 3 June and the decision shows as: ‘Withdrawn’.
Dogs to the rescue
Some of us, in the aftermath of the Covid crisis, were subjected to a deep dive into the music tastes of preteens, which included a song about the lockdown experience called 'I'm Good?' by the Hilltop Hoods ... It's a neat echo of the experience of many people whose canine family member joined them through an adoption program or from the pound, shelter or foster system.
Thousands embrace Clarence Harvest Celebration
Thousands of people from around the region descended on Maclean for three-day Clarence Harvest Celebration embracing the beef, sugar cane, and seafood industries of the valley. The premier weekend of the 2026 celebration followed the Clarence Kids Colour Run and Crowning Carnival and the Cane Harvest Ball, held in the preceding weeks.
Pies pinched!
Shari and Wes Hughes have been shocked by the brazen robbery, saying it's unprecedented for the small community of Greenmount. The offender was clad in a cardigan and beanie, with a torch and an accomplice in the form of a very well behaved dog.
Community champion recognised
At most emergencies in the Upper Murray in the past 40 years you would find Mary Hoodless, pitching in to help wherever it was needed. The Jingellic resident's lifelong commitment to the wellbeing of her community has now been recognised with an award in the King's Birthday Honours List.
Development approval for Barham Lakes
The highly anticipated Barham Lakes lifestyle resort has officially received Development Approval from Murray River Council and is now one step closer to becoming a reality. The CluBarham Riverina project, a 236-home over-55s land lease community in collaboration with Villawood Properties, will offer resort living unmatched for its pristine lake systems, proximity to the Murray River and range of facilities on offer.
Call for calm
Michelle Daw. Member for Grey Tom Venning has called for a truce in the dispute between the National Trust of South Australia and members of the suspended Moonta branch committee, who are backed by more than 100 locked-out volunteers and many concerned locals. "In the background, certainly we’ve been talking to all parties involved to show support in terms of de-escalating the situation," Mr Venning said yesterday (Tuesday, June 9).
Fragile buildings, precious items locked away
For 12 years, Marie Heesemans has cleaned and cared for the buildings housing some of Moonta's much-loved heritage attractions - the Moonta Mines Museum, Miner's Cottage and Family History and Resource Centre in the former School of Mines. Now all she can do is hope the buildings - and the precious items they house - are not falling into disrepair.
$60m announcement
Minister for Climate Change and Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe will be in Hay this morning to announce $60 million in community benefits unlocked by the South West Renewable Energy Zone. The Office of Minister Sharpe said the initial $60 million will soon begin flowing to communities in the South West Renewable Energy Zone to deliver local infrastructure, services and employment opportunities that will support long-term regional prosperity.
Budget relief, big projects missing
The Limestone Coast is set to benefit from a range of cost-of-living, education, and health measures announced in the state government’s first budget since the March election - but member for MacKillop Jason Virgo says the region continues to miss out on the major investment it deserves.
Researchers explain the complexity of a plant enzyme at the atomic levels: Adelaide University
Adelaide University research into the complexity of plant exo-hydrolytic enzyme could have multiple benefits for medical, pharmaceutical, chemical and biotechnology industries. For more than a decade, Professor Maria Hrmova, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, and a team of around 30 experts have been exploring the fundamental catalytic properties of plant exo-hydrolytic enzymes.
National Farmers Federation responds on paraquat
National Farmers Federation President, Hamish McIntyre, responds to questions from Australian Rural & Regional News asked in the light of the pending decision on paraquat by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and recent media drawing a connection between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease.
Young people lead the way as volunteer value hits $45 billion: Hildyard
South Australian volunteers delivered $45 billion in value to the local economy last year with younger South Australians leading the way and volunteer numbers surpassing one million for the first time. According to the 2025 State of Volunteering report, released today by Volunteering SA&NT, volunteers created $45 billion in gross social and economic value across 294.8 million hours.
Compost invention
It seems that compost is a subject that is exercising the minds of many across the shire, and Maldon resident Oliver Messenger is one of them. He has invented a composting system that has been granted an Australian patent with an international patent in the works.
Bishop Venables visits St David’s Allora
A special confirmation service was held at St David’s Anglican Church on Sunday with Bishop Cam Venables attending. Fifteen people were confirmed with the Bishop believing this may be very close to a record in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland Diocese!
The use of paraquat use in Australian agriculture – industry responses
In light of the pending decision on paraquat by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority and recent media drawing a connection between paraquat and Parkinson's disease, Australian Rural & Regional News has sought responses from industry bodies.
NSW Government’s new brumby estimates don’t pass the pub test
Colleen Krestensen. New estimates of brumby numbers in Kosciuszko National Park imply a dramatic and biologically impossible increase of up to 315 per cent over a 12 month period ... The concern for the community is the government is accepting this alleged increase without question as a basis to resume aerial culling of brumbies, commencing in the coming days.
Testing Australia’s national disaster response and resilience capabilities: McBain
Key government and private sector organisations have come together to test how they respond to crisis scenarios, such as natural disasters, health and biosecurity incidents, supply chain shortages and disruptions to critical infrastructure.
