Released by: Deputy Premier, Minister for Education and Early Learning
The NSW and South Australia state governments are continuing their collaboration on initiatives to help improve the wellbeing of our schoolkids with an agreement to work on measures to combat bullying.
Deputy Premier and NSW Education Minister Prue Car and her South Australian education counterpart Blair Boyer signed a joint agreement to tackle the scourge of bullying.
The joint effort follows the success of last year’s groundbreaking Social Media Summit, organised jointly by the NSW and SA Premiers, to explore and address the impacts of social media on children and young people.
The MOU binds the two states to “undertake a coordinated approach to information sharing and collaboration to minimise the impacts of bullying in schools and support positive school environments”.
Work will commence immediately on the sharing of best practice prevention strategies that are already working in NSW and SA schools, curriculum materials and tools for educators to combat bullying, including cyberbullying, in our schools.
Last year NSW Premier Chris Minns and Deputy Premier Car announced they would lead the development of a statewide bullying framework for all NSW schools.
The regulator of schools, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), has already convened its first meeting with the school sectors to progress the work on the anti-bullying framework.
The MOU is just part of a suite of measures the Minns Labor Government has initiated to deal with challenges facing our schools.
Banned mobile phones in all NSW Public schools, with a recent survey showing that 86% of principals believing socialising has improved since this came into effect.
Implemented a new, stronger behaviour policy which provides teachers and principals with the authority they need to appropriately manage student behaviour.
Introduced a revised school curriculum which includes lessons on bullying, respectful relationships and consent education.
Hosted a Social Media Summit alongside the South Australian Government, and supported the Federal Government’s decision to raise the minimum age for social media to 16.
Recruited 92 new school counsellors and psychologists since the beginning of this year.
Launched the Spotlight on Cyberbullying Website which provides free and easily accessibly cyberbullying resources for parents, carers, teachers and schools.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“Bullying is a scourge that impacts children across all school sectors, states and territories, and we all have a crucial role to play in stamping it out.
“NSW is leading the way nationally to address bullying and cyberbullying so children at all schools feel safe and supported to focus on their learning.
“I am proud to work with South Australia in progressing this issue. There is much that we can share with each other to come up with the best approaches to prevention.
“We all want the same outcome – which is to keep our kids safe and happy so that they can get the best out of their education.
“As we progress this work in NSW, we look forward to working with our state and federal counterparts on a consistent national approach.”
SA Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said:
“Preventing bullying before it starts is the best action we can take to make sure every child can get the education they deserve.
“That’s why we’ve focused our efforts on training teachers to better respond to bullying and bolstering the respectful relationships curriculum.
“Prue Car and I have made tackling bullying a priority and our new partnership will give staff more tools to act and support students.
“This action builds on South Australia’s nation-leading mobile phone ban, the rollout of explicit teaching of behaviour in schools, and 100FTE mental health and learning specialists in schools.
“Bullying impacts all schools in all sectors. That’s why we’re sharing resources and training across all sectors to take action across all schools.”
Released by: The Premier, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations
The Minns Labor Government will bring the management of Parklea Correctional Centre back into public hands in one of the largest de-privatisation moves in NSW history, further delivering on its commitment to publicly-owned assets, and to providing secure jobs and long-term career opportunities for working people.
The decision to return the management of this vital service to the public sector will secure over 400 well-paid public sector jobs for workers in Western Sydney.
The 1,576-bed facility at Parklea is Sydney’s second-largest remand centre and has been managed by MTC Australia (previously MTC Broadspectrum) since 2018, with its existing contract expiring in March 2026.
The contract will be extended by six months, to allow sufficient time for the transition to occur in October 2026.
Parklea will become the second NSW prison to return to public ownership after Corrective Services NSW takes over the management of Junee Correctional Centre on 1 April 2025, following a 16-month transition.
The NSW public sector is currently responsible for around 10,000 inmates across 31 prisons.
Corrective Services NSW and Justice Health will work with MTC, current employees, the Public Service Association of NSW, as well as the local community, as part of the transition.
A Corrective Services NSW transition team will be established to provide timely updates and additional support to current staff throughout the transition period.
Quotes attributable to NSW Premier Chris Minns:
“We began bringing Junee Correctional Centre back into public hands in 2023, and today, we take the first step in making Parklea public again.
“Frontline staff who work at Parklea Correctional Centre today will have a job at Parklea – regardless of the changes.
“We told voters at the last election that we opposed privatisation, and we are again delivering on that promise today.
“This is a win for hundreds of essential workers in Western Sydney as we rebuild essential services for NSW.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong:
“The Minns Labor Government was elected with a clear mandate to ensure publicly owned assets remain in public hands, and returning Parklea to the public sector is a clear response to this mandate.
“Unlike private management, the Corrective Services NSW’s operating model is not based on a profit motive, it’s based on the objective to reduce reoffending following release from prison, which focuses on rehabilitation, education, and safe reintegration into the community.
“Due to the hard work Corrective Services NSW has done to bring the Junee Correctional Centre back into public ownership, we now have a blueprint for success that we’ll follow closely to ensure a smooth transition for Parklea Correctional Centre to transition back into the public sector.
“By bringing Junee and Parklea Correctional Centres back into public hands, we’re delivering better value for NSW taxpayers and improving outcomes for workers, inmates, and the community.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis:
“This decision has been a long time coming and I welcome the Parklea Correctional Centre’s move back into public hands.
“We will work to support a smooth transition of staff employment arrangements into the public operated facility.”
Quotes attributable to Corrective Services NSW Acting Commissioner Leon Taylor:
“Corrective Services NSW will work with MTC and other stakeholders through this period of change with as minimal impact on day-to-day operations as possible.
“We look forward to Parklea Correctional Centre being safely back in public hands, which will provide secure jobs and career opportunities for our hardworking frontline Corrective Services NSW staff.”
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey will host global superannuation leaders in Sydney in the second half of this year, following the success of an inaugural gathering of the Australian sector in the US last week.
The Sydney Superannuation Summit will build on the NSW capital’s steadily growing position as the financial hub of the Asia Pacific.
Last week’s landmark Australian Superannuation International Summit, hosted by US Ambassador Kevin Rudd in Washington and New York, brought together Australia’s biggest funds to showcase their potential on the world stage.
Together the Australian funds invest $631.6 billion into the US economy.
Financial leaders addressing the summit included US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
NSW Treasury Corp chief executive David Deverall told the gathering how Sydney’s status as the financial services hub of the Asia Pacific had evolved.
Mr Deverall said Sydney’s economic strength was underpinned by a strong investment pipeline, a large skilled workforce and advanced digital infrastructure.
He said that Sydney is home to the country’s biggest banks, and that it dominates Australia’s venture capital and private equity activity in Australia.
Nearly 60 per cent of Australian venture capital is in NSW. Mr Deverall told the summit Sydney’s advanced digital infrastructure and willingness to embrace innovation had made it an attractive place for businesses to start and grow.
Sydney produces half of Australia’s business “unicorns”, or those valued above USD$1 billion, and almost three quarters of those on the way to reaching that threshold.
It is a world leader in research output per capita, a strength which plays into its financial and tech workforce and is reflected in a steady supply of qualified graduates from its universities.
It is ranked fourth in the world as the most popular investment destination for foreign investors, after Dubai, London and Singapore, according to Investment Monitor.
Australian superannuation funds manage a total $4 trillion in assets.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:
“The Sydney Superannuation Summit will leverage our strength as the financial hub of the Asia Pacific.
“Half of Australia’s businesses unicorns were born right here in NSW. They’ve been able to grow because of the high value we place on innovation and technological development.
“Sydney ranks in the top five of the most popular investment destinations around the world. Our Summit is an opportunity to harness that momentum.”
Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) constructing the mega Sydney Metro West tunnels have made a smashing entrance 24-metres below the surface at the Clyde Metro junction caverns.
This latest milestone means that over 80 per cent of the 24-kilometre twin metro railway tunnels for this city-shaping project that the Minns Labor Government is using to drive housing uplift has been completed.
TBM Dorothy broke through the solid rock walls to arrive at the giant junction caverns last month, after spending three months tunnelling 1.1 kilometres from Clyde.
TBM Betty was tracking slightly ahead, arriving at Clyde junction caverns in December last year. TBM Betty spent seven weeks traversing the cavern is now tunnelling towards Parramatta.
This junction cavern at Clyde will play a critical role in the Sydney Metro network as it connects the metro tunnels with the above ground stabling and maintenance facility, where the network’s new fleet of trains will be housed when not in service.
Since starting their westward tunnelling journey in September 2024, TBMs Betty and Dorothy have been working around the clock to excavate about 200 metres of tunnel each week.
So far, the TBMs have carved out 5.7-kilometres of twin tunnels between Sydney Olympic Park and Clyde, removing more than 1.1 million tonnes of material, equivalent to about 180 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Along the way, the TBMs have installed more than 41,000 precast concrete segments to line the new tunnel walls. Each precast segment weighs about 3.8 tonnes, with six segments pieced together to form one ring around the tunnel.
Both TBMs will now build a further 1.1-kilometre section of tunnels to reach the site of the future Parramatta Metro Station by mid-year.
This project will double rail capacity between the Sydney CBD and Parramatta CBD which is why the Minns Labor Government has modified planning controls around a number of these new stations to turbocharge the delivery of new housing.
Housing is the largest cost most people are facing and the NSW Government is getting more homes built near public transport, improving affordability, reducing building and infrastructure costs and building a better NSW.
For more information, visit sydneymetro.info/west/project-overview.
Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:
“This is another huge step forward as we deliver the largest new public transport project Western Sydney has seen in generations while also turbocharging the delivery of new homes.
“These fast and reliable new metro services will double rail capacity between the Sydney CBD and Parramatta and will be a gamechanger, getting more people around our city faster.
“I want to thank the thousands of workers who have gotten this project to this point and will be working around the clock until Australia’s largest public transport project is opened.”
Minister for Transport John Graham said:
“Like their standout namesakes, these huge tunnelling machines are breaking new ground, which will have a lasting impact and transform the way Sydney’s west moves for generations to come.
“The TBMs are headed for Parramatta, Sydney’s second biggest business district, as they continue to carve out this game-changing new railway line that is expected to move 30,000 passengers every hour during the morning peak when it opens in 2032.
It’s the multi-million-dollar sports complex, 15 years in the planning and two years to build, but today the UniSA Sport Science Hub opens its doors to its first cohort of university students ready to engage in its world-class teaching and research facilities at South Australia’s new sports precinct.
The Hub is designed to deliver industry-embedded specialist sports science education, greater research opportunities, and cutting-edge solutions for industry, so that all students have authentic learning experiences, scope to engage with leading industry staff and elite athletes, and a career-ready education.
Its state-of-the-art facilities feature:
A biomechanics lab with a VICON motion capture system and force plates that measure movement patterns and show how changes in force production can benefit athletic performance.
An environmental chamber that can simulate humidity, altitude (0 – 5000m above sea level) and temperatures extremes (from -11 to 45°C) to track how body the responds to different environments.
Exercise physiology teaching laboratories housing exercise testing equipment for physiology classes and work integrated learning (plus a BodPod for safely measuring body composition).
An exercise research lab for high performance, intensive exercise research.
An exercise teaching space, housing exercise and resistance training equipment, a 20-metre running track, and an impact wall to train students how to prescribe and deliver exercise training and testing.
Collaborative, flexible teaching spaces to accommodate large and small student groups.
UniSA students test the new training facilities in the UniSA Sports Science Hub.
“UniSA and SASI have had a long-standing relationship for more than 20 years,” Prof Buckley says.
“The new UniSA Sports Science Hub solidifies this, bringing together our world-leading teaching and research capabilities in exercise and sports science, with SASI’s expertise in preparing high-performance athletes, to highlight a partnership that is truly unique.
“For our students, the new facilities will provide a genuine and authentic learning experience, where they’ll be able to interact with SASI staff and athletes as part of their learning, even undertaking analysis and training with data that’s being used by staff at SASI. So, they’ll get very industry-relevant training and exposure to the exercise and sports science sector before they graduate.
“For our researchers, the first-class technology and equipment will both further their research capabilities, and research opportunities with SASI and the broader business sector.
Testing underway in the biomechanics lab.
“Our world-class research equipment and facilities – which include a biomechanics lab, an environmental chamber and a range of specialised research spaces – means that our researchers can deliver exercise and sports science knowledge that can be fed back to SASI to help them better prepare their high-performance athletes to perform at their best.
“Ultimately, our collaboration highlights the integral role that sport plays in Australian society and culture.
“We’re supporting South Australia’s premier athletes, educating the next generation of sports and exercise experts, and generating new research opportunities, which together loop back to create significant social and economic benefits for the State.”
Notes for editors:
Community Open Day: On Sunday 30 March, UniSA’s new Sports Science Hub will be open and on display with the SASI facilities. The event will feature live demonstrations of the SASI building in use, panel discussions, athlete ‘meet and greets’, self-guided tours, sport and recreation activities, food trucks, music, and giveaways. See: https://www.sasi.sa.gov.au
This month, as the weather stays high and you’re likely to want to stay under the air-conditioning, our experts have a cornucopia of shows and films they’re watching to suit every mood.
There is Robert de Niro’s romp through politics which “stretches the bounds of credibility”, new seasons of The Traitors from both the United Kingdom and the United States, three new Aussie productions and a new comedy from Aotearoa New Zealand. There is a documentary about Cyclone Tracy for the history buffs – and to round it all out, the intriguingly titled Nightbitch.
Zero Day
Netflix
It seems appropriate that Netflix’s attempt to create a show that captures the state of US politics should be as absurd and troubling as the first months of the Trump administration. Zero Day stretches the bounds of credibility, but, like Trump, it is hypnotic viewing.
A former president, George Mullen (Robert de Niro) is called upon to track down the source of a cyber-attack which turns off all power for one minute, leading to multiple deaths.
Mullen’s own family story becomes central to the plot, involving both his wife (Joan Allen) and daughter (Lizzy Caplan) – who conveniently happens to be a congresswoman, clearly inspired by left-wing congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Zero Day is full of such references, from the current president (Angela Bassett), a nod to Kamala Harris, to a populist radio host and a sinister tech tycoon.
American reviews have complained the series tries too hard to appeal across partisan lines, to suggest woke calls from the left is equivalent to extremism on the right. Yes, there’s a fuzziness to the politics of Zero Day. But I saw it as a cry of despair at the state of American public life which is also highly entertaining television.
– Dennis Altman
Optics
ABC iView
What does it mean to tell the truth? And how do we, as consumers of media, differentiate truth from fabrication? Optics, a new comedy series from the ABC, asks these questions through the setting of a public relations firm.
The show expertly balances humour with quick-wit, social media vernacular, and a level of marketing wordsmithing that makes you question if the news has ever told you a true story.
The show is based in the PR firm Fritz & Randell and opens with the death of its aging CEO Frank Fritz (Peter Carroll), in a men-only board meeting no less.
After Frank’s death, the son of the cofounder, Ian Randell (Charles Firth) makes a bid for top spot. But the owner of the firm, Bobby Bahl (Claude Jabbour) is concerned with “optics”, so he puts two young women in charge instead.
Their young, spunky attitude and social media prowess is seen as a massive advantage. And it is. But it soon becomes apparent this move is much more than a feminist fresh-take for the firm – and is rather a bid to push some skeletons further back in the closet.
With outrageous lines such as “is there an emoji for miscarriage”, you are guaranteed an entertaining watch. The show will have you questioning the stories you yourself are presented through news outlets. Further still, it will make you wonder how many hands those stories passed through before they hit the papers and screens.
N00b is a coming-of-age story set in small town Gore, New Zealand, a proverbial “arse-end” of the world. Under show creator Victoria Boult, the series bristles with a vibrancy and edginess.
It’s a familiar story of rugby jocks (“boys”) and popular kids, geeks, misfits, and their witless teachers. It’s something of a modest, reality snapshot of the teen dramas it so confidently riffs on, shows like Laguna Beach and The O.C.
But what makes this a courageous entry in the genre is N00b’s willingness to be both uproariously funny and caustically cynical. This is a very funny teen comedy, and yet it is also dark and provocative in ways I found refreshing and quite surprising.
Boult cut her teeth on film studies at the University of Sydney and then went on to work with Jane Campion on The Power of the Dog. The sureness of vision and the deftness of the way in which Boult understands genre is so impressive. The production is based on Boult’s viral TikTok series of the same name (which I can highly recommend).
I sincerely hope that N00b finds a major audience and perhaps even garners a cult following. Highly recommend.
– Bruce Isaacs
The Traitors US and UK, seasons three
TenPlay (Australia), ThreeNow (New Zealand)
The third seasons from The Traitors UK and US are fantastic companion pieces, with respective hosts Claudia Winkleman and Alan Cumming guiding the plucky contestants with their camp prowess.
With their third seasons, the creative teams behind each version have realised that the more theatrical the better, with Winkleman and Cumming leading the charge with their sass and eccentric fashion choices. The setting of Ardross Castle (for both series) in the Scottish Highlands helps.
The premise is simple: a cast of contestants must complete challenges to earn money for the kitty. Hidden among the faithful contestants are traitors. If a traitor makes it to the end, they keep the money for themselves.
Each episode, the faithfuls must banish a contestant who they think is a traitor. That evening, the traitors also meet in their turret, wearing mysterious cloaks of course, to “murder” a contestant in their sleep.
The British season has a diverse cast of everyday contestants, with standouts being one person who gives herself away as a traitor within seconds of being chosen, and another faking a Welsh accent to appear more down to earth.
The US season is vastly different with a cast of former reality television show icons. Here, it’s fascinating to see how contestants from different franchises, such as RuPaul’s Drag Race, Real Housewives, Survivor and Big Brother all approach the game differently.
Both the American and British versions of The Traitors are fantastic viewing and it’s a genuine shame that the Australian version was let down with substandard casting choices and an aesthetic that was the antithesis of camp.
– Stuart Richards
Cyclone Tracy
9 Now
On Christmas Eve 2024, Australia remembered the 50th anniversary of the destruction of Darwin wrought by Cyclone Tracy. Fittingly, the 9 Now streaming service marked this anniversary by featuring the 1986 miniseries Cyclone Tracy, a vivid depiction of 1970s Darwin and the terrible impact of the cyclone.
Cyclone Tracy stars Tracy Mann as Connie, a widow and mother of two who has just paid off the mortgage of her hotel, which serves as the central stage for the drama.
The series captures the cultural diversity of Darwin (though some portrayals veer towards caricature at times), and the city itself is beautifully evoked through archival footage and great production design. The cyclone itself is frightening, and its destructive power is powerfully evoked (the series’ director of photography, Andrew Lesnie, would later win an Oscar for cinematography).
In the mid-1980s, when this series first went to air, many viewers would have still been coming to terms with this terrible disaster: it was an act of storytelling for the nation. Watching it in 2025, Cyclone Tracy reminds us of the importance of these nation-making television programs that were once such an important part of Australian culture.
– Michelle Arrow
Apple Cider Vinegar
Netflix
Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson.
For anyone who followed Gibson during her rise to fame in the 2010s – or her spectacular fall – the show feels eerily familiar.
From the clothing, to the makeup, to the food, Apple Cider Vinegar excels in set design and staging. Every effort has been made to ensure this true story, based on a lie, looks like it did when it was unfolding on our phone screens in the 2010s.
As someone who followed Gibson closely and spent months hunting down the recalled cookbook to see if the health claims were as outlandish as I’d heard (they were), this show was a treat to watch.
The scenes are cut with recreations of Belle’s stylised Instagram pictures of green juices, beaches and food with “no nasties”. Belle’s account was removed from Instagram after the massive public ousting of her hoax.
Apple Cider Vinegar has done an incredible job recreating this account and breathing life back into the deleted content.
Whether or not you are already familiar with Gibson’s story, Apple Cider Vinegar is a compelling watch. You’ll especially love it if you enjoy non-fiction productions that play with ideas of truth such as iTonya, the Tinder Swindler and Inventing Anna.
Stan’s new series Invisible Boys follows four young gay men as they understand and explore their identities while living in Geraldton, a regional town in Western Australia.
Charlie Roth (Joseph Zada), Zeke Calogero (Aydan Calafiore), Kade “Hammer” Hammersmith (Zach Blampied) and Matt Jones (Joe Klocek) represent four very different young men. Yet they share the experience of feeling invisible because of their sexuality.
An adaptation of Holden Sheppard’s novel of the same name, the story challenges linear narratives of progress and typical ideals of queer life. It also shows how such mentalities can lead gay and bisexual men growing up in regional Australia to feel invisible, as they often don’t fit the neat narratives associated with “progress”.
No previous teen drama has been quite as truthful in its representation of some young gay and bisexual men’s experiences.
As someone who grew up gay in regional Australia, it feels like an authentic representation of my own experience. There’s something universal about Charlie, Zeke, Kade and Matt’s stories of not fitting in, and of being invisible to be safe.
Most striking is the way the series captures the complicated mix of joy and fear – the clash of opportunity and consequence – that accompanies becoming visibly gay in these environments.
“Motherhood,” the beleaguered stay-at-home mother of Nightbitch tells us in contemplative voice-over, “is probably the most violent experience a human can have aside from death itself”.
The film sets out to show motherhood is also far more savage and feral than the anodyne images posted on social media by retrograde tradwives or mumfluencers would have us believe.
As Nightbitch puts it, it’s “fucking brutal”.
Mother (Amy Adams) is an unnamed installation artist who places her career on hold to raise her young son. Wrung out by the demands of motherhood and increasingly furious with the lack of support she receives from her incompetent and often absent Husband (Scoot McNairy), Mother starts to spiral out of control, morphing into a dog complete with tail, sharpened canines, extra nipples and a ravenous desire for raw meat.
Nightbitch takes the fear of the reproductive woman literally, drawing on magic realism and horror tropes to show the visceral and psychological metamorphosis women undergo on becoming mothers. Unfortunately director Marielle Heller’s refusal to lean into the body horror results in a neutered narrative with more bark than bite.
Michelle Arrow receives funding from the Australian Research Council.
Bruce Isaacs, Damien O’Meara, Dennis Altman, Edith Jennifer Hill, Rachel Williamson, and Stuart Richards do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Some come to university to pursue a passion, others to discover one, and some aren’t quite sure why they’re here. Whatever their reason, it can take time to adjust and feel comfortable at uni, and some students decide studying is not for them. In their first year, around 14% of Australian students will choose to leave.
What do you do if you get to uni and it isn’t quite what you expect?
Expectations versus reality
The transition from high school to university can be a big adjustment, especially for Year 12 students who are used to structured learning and clear guidance. Suddenly, you’re managing a new timetable, deadlines, and navigating new places and possibly new subjects on your own.
While university social clubs and campus activities can help you settle in, your first year at university can be a lonely time. You are away from familiar school friends and in classes full of people you don’t know.
Mature-aged students (anyone over 21) face their own challenges when life experience does not always translate to confidence in academic skills.
Juggling study, work and personal commitments isn’t easy. Fitting university in around other life pressures can feel overwhelming.
University is often more independent than high school, which can be a big change for students. Neon Wang/Unsplash
If you’re not enjoying yourself, try to work out exactly what it is you don’t like: is it university itself? Is it your course? Or just a particular subject?
If your current degree isn’t working, you could consider switching degrees or the mix of subjects you are studying. Switching to another degree or discipline may come with credit for prior study. Remember, no learning is ever wasted, and many skills are transferable. You can talk to your university admissions team to see what’s possible.
Or perhaps part-time study would be a better option for you. This is very common among uni students. Only 40% complete their degree within four years.
Universities often allow up to ten years for a bachelors’ degree, so you have time to rethink and adjust. Chat with an academic advisor or student services to understand your options.
If university isn’t working at all, remember there are many other options post-school. This includes vocational education and training courses (some of which are free) that provide practical skills, geared towards a job. It is OK to change your mind.
Key dates to know
Timing is important. You need to be aware of the “census date” for your particular uni. This is the deadline when your fees are locked in.
Before then, you can drop courses without financial or academic penalties.
Think of the time before the census date as a “try-before-you-buy” period. While dates vary between universities, the first few weeks give you a chance to experience course content and decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Remember you are going through a big change – so go easy on yourself. And speak to academic, career, and wellbeing supports at your university if you think you need to make a change.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The government recently announced a framework to regulate carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) by New Zealand companies.
Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts outlined new rules that would allow emitters to capture their carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and inject them underground for permanent disposal. They would then avoid having to pay for those emissions under the Emissions Trading Scheme.
Globally, CCUS is currently used mostly by coal or gas-fired power stations, liquefied natural gas plants and petroleum refineries. There are 41 commercial operations around the world, and they capture about 40 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.
Our peers (Australia, the United States and the European Union) already have CCUS frameworks and storage projects. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change acknowledges CCUS’s role in curbing emissions, but highlights challenges in scaling and technology readiness.
New Zealand faces the challenge of reducing emissions from strategic industries such as steel, concrete, fossil fuels and their derivatives (methanol, ammonia). CCUS has been tabled as an interim solution, strongly supported by the fossil fuel industry. However, critics warn it could reduce incentives to phase out fossil fuels.
The government argues its CCUS framework aligns New Zealand with international standards. This claim has merit insofar as successful climate action is likely to require international collaboration and technology transfer.
CCUS in New Zealand could enable reinjection of CO₂ produced from the Kapuni gas field in Taranaki, with “utilisation” involving diverting some of the gas for use in the food and beverage or horticulture industries.
However, leakage of CO₂ from long-term disposal sites is a major technical risk and New Zealand’s framework must be clear on how it would deal with this liability.
Rules for CCUS projects generally require operators to monitor, report and remedy any leakage of CO₂. But because the industry is young, it is useful to take a broader look at geological leakage in the past to reveal how future challenges play out.
Lake Boehmer, in the the Permian Basin of West Texas, wasn’t always there. But 20 years ago an old irrigation well started leaking saltwater and hasn’t stopped since.
The well was drilled in 1951 by an oil and gas company. No oil was discovered so the well was handed over to the landowner for irrigation. The well produced water, but also poisonous hydrogen sulphide, enough to kill a farmhand in 1953.
In the 1990s, the well started leaking. Water from a deep aquifer had pushed its way up alongside the well through geological layers of salt. The water dissolved the salt, worsening the leak, and emerged from underground three times saltier than seawater.
The Railroad Commission, which regulates the oil and gas industry in Texas, says they are not liable to plug the well because they only have jurisdiction over oil wells. The original operator, which is claimed to have promised to plug the well “any time it becomes polluted with mineral water”, is no longer in business. No one can find the landowner.
After 20 years, Lake Boehmer has grown to 60 acres. Its shore is rimmed in salt crystals and the odd dead bird from hydrogen sulphide exposure. No one can agree who should fix it.
Could something similar happen with CCUS? Exacerbating factors in the Boehmer case include deterioration of an aged well – it’s almost 50 years since leakage started – and the absence of a backstop party as the final holder of liability. Both could happen with CCUS under the wrong circumstances.
Better ways of dealing with leakage
The Decatur CCUS project in the US state of Illinois has been injecting CO₂ produced from corn ethanol two kilometres deep into sandstone. Over about a decade, 4.5 million tonnes of CO₂ has been injected – emissions diverted from the atmosphere.
The US government imposes strict monitoring rules on CCUS projects. Special monitoring wells are drilled into the disposal aquifer to measure pressure changes and how far the CO₂ has travelled.
Unfortunately, one of these wells started to leak, possibly due to corrosion. It allowed about 8,000 tonnes of CO₂ to escape into overlying geological layers.
This is rightly concerning, but to put it into perspective, the size of the leak is 0.2% of the injected CO₂ volume and none of it has escaped to the atmosphere or shallow groundwater. The leak was detected, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intervened, issuing a notice that the leak be remediated, and the company plugged the well.
This illustrates a functioning CCUS framework. Monitoring requirements ensured the leak was discovered and the regulator was empowered to dictate remedial action.
However, critics have questioned the timeliness of the operator’s disclosure. The site remains on hold but may resume operations if the EPA is satisfied with the fix.
Lessons for New Zealand
A proposal circulated last year suggests the government will model its legislation on Australia and the EU, with CCUS operators being responsible for leaks during disposal operations and for a time after site closure.
This is like the Decatur situation. It makes sense for operators to fix leaks because they have the technical expertise and are the direct financial beneficiaries of emissions disposal.
It gets trickier on generational time frames. Companies can go out of business or might leave the country. In these cases, the government is liable for long-term leakage and may seek financial security from the operator to cover future costs.
A leak arising decades after closure could be more difficult to detect and costly to fix, especially if held up by a protracted fight around liability. This is the Lake Boehmer example.
Some CCUS seems inevitable if the world is to meet climate targets. It is therefore important to prepare for the possibility of a leak by having robust practices and clear responsibility.
Although it may seem unfair to burden future generations with looking after CO₂ disposal sites, we argue it is preferable to a legacy that has those same climate-warming gases in the atmosphere.
David Dempsey receives funding from MBIE for research into carbon dioxide removal.
Andrew La Croix receives funding from MBIE for research into carbon dioxide removal.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jennifer Lacy-Nichols, Senior Research Fellow in Commercial Determinants of Health, The University of Melbourne
Good quality information about when and how alcohol and gambling industries try to influence government decision making should be easily accessible. But in Australia, it’s not.
When we mapped the network of alcohol and gambling interests in Australia in our recent study, we revealed a complex web of memberships and partnerships.
We then used the latest data on political donations from the Australian Electoral Commission to show how these companies can “double donate”, or potentially donate more than twice. That’s once directly and via their often-multiple associations.
We’re concerned about the lack of transparency in these associations and political donations, and the potential for influencing public health policy on everything from gambling reform to alcohol labelling.
Understanding which companies are connected with alcohol and gambling associations can be challenging. This was immediately apparent when we mapped alcohol and gambling industry associations (such as Clubs Australia, which represents both community clubs and large pokies venues, or Alcohol Beverages Australia, which represents drinks manufacturers, distributors and retailers).
Just 75 (59.5%) of the 126 industry associations we identified disclosed their members or corporate partners.
When we documented the members and corporate sponsors of those 75 associations, we found a large and well-connected network.
Unsurprisingly, major alcohol and gambling companies were among the members and corporate sponsors. But these were in the minority. More than three-quarters (78.3%) were from other industries such as health, finance, construction, law, entertainment and telecommunications. Some of these were among the most well-connected organisations in the network.
The figure below shows the links between the most connected associations and corporate partners, using data from 2022.
The larger circles indicate more connections in the network (for example, associations with more partners). Circles of alcohol interests are blue, gambling is pink, industry associations are orange, and other industries are shown in grey. The lines show a direct link (for instance, between a company and industry association).
We revealed a large and well-connected network of alcohol and gambling associations. Author provided
We also investigated how transparent these relationships were. We mapped disclosures about two prominent groups: the hotels associations (which represent pubs and hotels) and the clubs associations.
Of the 658 relationships assessed, only 91 (13.8%) were transparently disclosed. Alcohol companies were the least transparent (disclosing none fully). Gambling companies fully disclosed only 19 relationships.
The figure below compares the number of disclosures from alcohol, gambling and other companies about their relationships with hotels and clubs associations.
On the left, we have industry sectors. On the right we have the clubs and hotels associations they partner with. In the middle we show how many of those relationships were fully, partially or not disclosed at all.
Here’s what hotels and clubs assocations disclosed. Author provided
Poor transparency is just the start
Poor transparency in membership of hotels and clubs associations makes it even harder to keep track of which companies are making political donations to which parties, and how much they’re donating in total.
Donations are often said to buy access to politicians, which can facilitate political influence. Companies who may not want to visibly support political parties can donate via intermediaries – in this case, associations that represent their interests. Depending on how many associations a company belongs to, companies can cultivate multiple access points to government.
These multiple access points are often opaque. The potential links between the thousands of donors in political donation data from the Australian Electoral Commission are not explicit. This makes it challenging for someone with limited time and resources to easily understand which company is giving money to which party, how much, and why. So much of the money in Australian politics is effectively hidden.
It was only through extensive data collection, cleaning and linking that we could map links between alcohol and gambling sectors. We then linked our dataset to the new data published by the Australian Electoral Commission on February 1.
If we look at just alcohol and gambling companies, we can see that several essentially “double donate”. They donate once directly and a second time (or more) indirectly via their associations.
We put together a simple visual below to show the flow of funds for the largest alcohol and gambling donors and associations in our dataset.
On the left we have the alcohol and gambling companies donating to political parties on the right. In the middle, we have have alcohol and gambling industry associations also donating to the political parties. The lines represent the financial connection between entities. The wider the lines, the more money we know is donated.
Alcohol and gambling industry donations to political parties, 2023-24. Author provided
Why aren’t recent reforms enough?
The most recent donation reforms mean political donations over A$5,000 must be disclosed, and these must be disclosed monthly. However, these reforms are far weaker than originally proposed (real-time reporting, $1,000 disclosure cap). This potentially allows alcohol and gambling industries to influence government and hide it.
Our current political integrity safeguards are failing us. That’s because the reforms do not compel industry groups to disclose their members or funders. This potentially allows companies to donate to political parties under the radar.
This would be the case for the 51 organisations we found that did not have a list of members publicly available.
Better transparency – about donations, lobbyists, conflicts of interest and more – can help ensure government decision-making is not unduly influenced by vested interests.
With a federal election looming, it is important the public can trust policies from all sides of politics are free from undue influence.
Cara Platts from the University of Melbourne coauthored the academic paper on which this article is based, and contributed to this article.
Jennifer Lacy-Nichols receives funding from the Victorian Health Promotion Association and the National Health and Medical Research Council. She is a member of Transparency International Australia, the Public Health Association of Australia and Healthy Food Systems Australia.
Appeals to fiscal restraint have been quiet. Labor is trumpeting its responsible economic management, while the Liberals are promising to “set the right priorities”. There is little talk of slashing and saving.
The combination of the cost-of-living crisis and WA’s strong economy has dampened the public’s appetite for austerity. It has also provided the parties with the cover to spend without seeming fiscally reckless.
While the policy priorities between the parties are broadly similar, there remain significant differences.
Policy debates on housing and climate
In housing, for example, all parties promise to slash stamp duty for first home buyers, but their proposals otherwise differ:
the Greens pledge to regulate short-stay accommodation, strengthen renters’ rights and set housing targets.
For climate policy, the differences are starker. Labor promises a coal-free grid by 2030 and a green energy future built in WA, driven by windfarms and WA-made home batteries. It stops short at reducing natural gas use, unlike the Greens.
However, Labor has also pushed back against environmental regulation. Premier Roger Cook lobbied the federal government to abandon environmental protection legislation.
The recent release of a long-withheld independent report that prompted sweeping changes to the WA Environmental Protection Agency was criticised by conservation organisations for its lack of consultation outside of the mining industry.
The Liberals agree on the need for batteries and wind power. However, they also promise to extend the lifespan of WA’s coal power stations and lift the ban on uranium mining in WA.
In her campaign launch speech, Liberal leader Libby Mettam pledged to cut “green tape” and defund the Environmental Defenders Office. This is on the grounds that “taxpayer money should not be spent propping up activists”.
The culture wars cometh
Mettam’s choice to target “activists” signals the Liberals’ flirtation with the culture wars. This term refers to conflict over social issues concerning identity and inclusion such as gender, race and sexuality. These issues are invoked by politicians to win votes from a polarised electorate.
Centre-right parties around the world have embraced culture wars, including in Australia.
Aligning herself with federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton, Mettam has stated she will refuse to stand in front of the First Nations flags.
She’s also promised to “ban the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormone treatments and surgical intervention for children under the age of 16 for the purpose of gender transition” and launch a comprehensive review of these treatments.
There are incentives for the Liberals to engage in culture war tactics.
Labor’s electoral position is stable. It also holds a dominant share of political donations. Public desire for big spending is limiting the effectiveness of traditional conservative attacks on Labor’s economic management.
The Liberals may perceive culture-war signalling as their most viable strategy for winning government. And, if the results of recent elections around the world are anything to go by, then “anti-woke” politics is surging.
Scandals involving various Liberal candidates further deepen the perception the Liberals are engaged in culture wars.
Albany candidate Thomas Brough was ordered to take workplace training with the Australian Human Rights Commission after making comments falsely linking the LGBTQIA+ community with paedophilia. Brough (who is a doctor) was referred to the State Administrative Tribunal by the Medical Board for the comments.
Brough also came under fire for suggesting a “posse” of regional doctors would help gun owners navigate new stricter gun laws introduced by Labor. Brough has not been asked by the party to resign.
Similarly, a rising star for the Liberals and candidate for Churchlands, Basil Zempilas, made widely condemned comments about transgender people on his radio show in 2020, shortly after becoming Lord Mayor of Perth. Apologising after, he said he had “forgotten he was lord mayor”.
The party also preselected candidates whose digital footprints revealed unpalatable views.
During an awkward press conference, Darling Range candidate Paul Mansfield was confronted with what the ABC described as “a series of derogatory social media posts, including homophobic slurs and two lewd posts about women”.
Kimberley candidate Darren Spackman was asked to leave the party after derogatory social media posts he made in 2022 about Indigenous people were republished.
The preselection of these candidates could be written off as the reflection of a hollowed-out party struggling to attract strong candidates.
But under Mettam, the WA Liberal Party is caught between signalling it is part of the anti-woke surge and being seen to resist discrimination.
It is unclear whether the culture wars will secure votes for the Liberals. Recent research shows strong support for issues such as transgender rights among Australian voters.
How WA voters respond to culture-war messaging will undoubtedly inform the Liberals’ position in the federal election.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Last month tech giant Meta announced plans to build the world’s longest submarine communication cable.
Known as Project Waterworth, the 50,000-kilometre cable would link five continents. Meta says it would improve connectivity and technological development in countries including the United States, India and Brazil.
But submarine cables can do far more than just enhance telecommunications. In fact, a recent conference I attended in London highlighted how a relatively new generation of cables can also be used to keep us safe from threats such as climate change and natural disasters.
The Transatlantic submarine cable, connecting British North America to Ireland, was laid in 1858. Rod Allday, CC BY-SA
These cables are equipped with sensors that measure vital environmental data in the ocean. This data includes seismic activity, temperature fluctuations and pressure changes. It can be used to improve early-warning systems for tsunamis and earthquakes as well as tracking changes in the climate.
OFS – short for optical fibre sensing – cables are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure. They use the fibre within to detect vibrations surrounding the cable. This allows cable operators to identify potential disruptions from fishing activity, ship anchors and other physical disturbances.
The topic of sensing cables comes up at conferences, thanks to industry professionals who work on it pro bono. But the technology isn’t widely adopted by the broader industry and governments. For example, SMART cables have been around since 2010, but there are only two projects in development.
The reasons for this slow uptake boil down to three major concerns, as discussed at the conference.
1. Outdated regulation
The legal framework governing undersea cables is outdated.
This legal ambiguity introduces additional complexities to already lengthy and complex processes for obtaining permits when sensing technologies are integrated into cables.
2. No clear business model
Industry executives question the financial feasibility of sensing cables. For example, during the conference in London, several industry executives suggested adding sensors raises costs by approximately 15%, with no clear revenue return.
Unlike data traffic, environmental data doesn’t directly generate income. Unless governments intervene with funding, tax incentives or expedited permits, cable operators have little incentive to absorb these added costs and complexities.
3. Security risks
At the subsea cable conference in London, several industry insiders also warned embedding sensors in cables could create new security risks.
Some governments might view sensing-equipped cables as surveillance tools rather than neutral scientific infrastructure.
There is also concern such cables could become attractive targets for malicious actors.
But there are good reasons for more countries and industry to invest in SMART cables.
For example, information on ocean depth, seabed composition and temperature fluctuations is valuable. A wide array of industries, from shipping and offshore energy to fisheries and insurance, could leverage this data to enhance their operations and mitigate risks.
Scientists have also pointed out that in order to better understand climate change, we need more and better data about what’s happening in the ocean.
Current subsea cable regulatory hurdles make investing in sensing technology challenging. But if regulation is updated, projects such as Meta’s Waterworth Project could more easily integrate sensors.
With experts suggesting the Waterworth Project be viewed as multiple cables instead of one, sensors could just be deployed on less geopolitically sensitive cable branches.
They could facilitate the creation of an open-access, publicly funded database for ocean observation data. Such a platform could consolidate real-time data from sensing cables, satellites and marine sensors. This would provide a transparent, shared resource for scientists, policymakers and industries alike.
Of course, deploying sensing technology may not be feasible in volatile regions such as the Baltic or South China seas.
But there is potential in areas especially vulnerable to climate change, such as the Pacific. Here, scientific data could be harnessed to model oceanic changes and explore solutions to rising sea levels and extreme weather patterns.
Data collected from submarine cables can help us better understand the effects of climate change on the ocean. somavarapu madhavi/Shutterstock
A path forward
Portugal demonstrates a path forward for SMART cables. Despite the regulatory challenges, it is actively investing in SMART cables in order to improve climate data.
Other governments can learn from this if they wish to fulfil their moral duty to invest in infrastructure that serves as a public good.
The idea of embedding sensors in cables may not be the perfect climate change fix. But it’s a step toward understanding the ocean’s invisible rhythms – a small but necessary gesture to stop pretending our planet’s breakdown will fix itself.
Cynthia Mehboob does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
A test event for the 15th National Games Triathlon was staged at Central Harbourfront and Victoria Harbour yesterday and today.
Around 110 athletes from the Mainland, Macau and Hong Kong participated in the two-day event.
In the first-ever mixed relay event held in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong team claimed the bronze medal.
Head of the National Games Coordination Office (Hong Kong) Yeung Tak-keung said the race route, ending at the Central Harboufont Event Space, was varied.
The athletes ran past a number of Hong Kong landmarks, including the Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Central Government Offices, the Legislative Council Complex, and the Observation Wheel.
The cycling route was between Golden Bauhinia Square and the International Finance Centre, taking in the dramatic backdrop of Central and Victoria Harbour.
A stand for spectators was in place at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, giving audience members a close view of participants crossing the finish line.
The event tested various operations and procedures, race arrangements, venue setup, information systems, security, medical services, accommodation, hospitality, food and beverage services, transportation, contingency plans, and more.
Mr Yeung said the office will review the event procedures and other details with relevant organisations and government departments with a view to preparing for official events due to be held at the end of this year.
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mahtot Gebresselassie, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada
In late 2024, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 212 giving the provincial government significant control over municipal bike lanes. The law requires municipalities to ask the province for its approval to install bike lanes if they would remove a lane for other vehicular traffic. The legislation also allows for the removal of three major bike lanes in Toronto.
Supporters of such moves argue that bike lanes worsen traffic congestion, negatively impact local businesses and delay emergency vehicles from getting where they need to go. However, research shows that bike lanes improve transportation infrastructure, including preventing injuries.
One of the main values of bike lanes is that they promote safety for all road users. Many cities around the world install bike lanes to wholly or partially separate cyclists from larger vehicles. This separation limits the interaction with cars and makes cycling safer.
A 2016 paper that looked at data on bike networks and injuries in 10 Canadian and U.S. cities between 2000 and 2015 showed that an increase in bike networks led to a decrease in fatal and serious injuries.
The safety associated with bike lanes can also encourage more people to take up cycling. A 2020 poll from the Canadian Automobile Association indicates that 40 per cent of Canadians reported they would feel encouraged to cycle on bike lanes physically separated from other vehicles.
More inclusive roads
Bike lanes can make cycling more inclusive for women, children, older adults, people with disabilities and those with limited transportation options.
Fewer women bike compared to men. A 2014 study that surveyed cyclists in five U.S. cities found that more women than men strongly agreed that protected bike lanes made them feel safe and new ones increased how often they cycled.
Older adults and people with disabilities also benefit from bike lanes, as they provide a more suitable cycling environment for riding with limited physical acuity and slower speeds.
Some argue that bike lanes reduce street parking, which can lead to lower economic activity. However, a 2012 study showed that people who cycle, walk and use transit frequent local businesses more and spend the same or more than those who use private cars.
When it comes to congestion, a 2018 study on the impact of installing bike lanes on arterial roads in Toronto found that the most affected street segments would only result in an estimated one-minute delay.
A 2022 study from Melbourne showed a minor effect on traffic when bike lanes were added to residential streets with low speed limits. It also found the “selective inclusion” of safe cycling lanes, in the worst cases, leads to a delay of less than 10 seconds per kilometre for drivers.
In New York, a 2016 study found that adding bike lanes reduced the average time for car travel on major thoroughfares from an average of 4.5 minutes to 3 minutes.
Examples from elsewhere indicate that removing bike lanes would not bode well for Toronto. A well-used bike lane in London, England was removed in December 2020 following residents’ complaints that they caused traffic congestion. A study found that the removal resulted in longer travel time on the street compounded by cars illegally parking in the space previously reserved for the bike lane.
Toronto Fire Services (TFS) response time increased by 30 seconds within the same corridor compared to a two-second increase for the entire city. However, these evaluations were for two months in 2023. In October 2024, TFS Chief Jim Jessop said the Bloor Street West bike lanes did not lead to an increase in response time.
If these bike lanes are removed and replaced with others elsewhere, it could create a poorly connected bike network. The safety and convenience associated with connected bike networks will be lost as a result.
Based on what research tells us, Toronto’s bike lanes should stay. Bike lanes provide various benefits, including making our streets more inclusive of more people.
Bike lanes offer safety on the roads by reducing the risk of fatal or non-life-threatening injuries on roads, and are a tremendous gain for transportation infrastructure.
Even in cases where a bike lane causes a few seconds of delay, politicians and city planners must consider the trade-off — especially if it means saving a person’s life.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
LOS ANGELES, March 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — After operating under the radar, CREEPZ is officially emerging from stealth, transforming from a $400M+ NFT phenomenon into a full-scale entertainment brand. Backed by WME, major esports organizations, and Stoopid Buddy Studios, CREEPZ is setting a new standard for Web3-native intellectual property (IP) by delivering real entertainment products—not just speculation.
Breaking New Ground in Web3 Entertainment
As part of its official debut, CREEPZ is launching two flagship games powered by $CREEPZ, their native ecosystem token yet to be launched:
CREEPZ CLASH – A high-octane multiplayer shooter combining frenetic combat with strategic gameplay, bringing the CREEPZ universe to life.
REDACTED PARTY GAME – A wildly entertaining multiplayer party game designed for both casual and competitive play, offering an immersive social experience.
Major Partnerships in Entertainment & Esports
CREEPZ has secured strategic partnerships that further solidify its position as the next cultural force in entertainment:
WME & ThreeSixZero Representation – Industry-leading agencies securing top-tier media and entertainment opportunities, ensuring CREEPZ’s expansion beyond Web3.
Stoopid Buddy Studios Collaboration – The creative force behind iconic animated series like Robot Chicken and Crossing Swords will help bring the CREEPZ universe to life through storytelling and animation.
Esports Powerhouse M80 Partnership – Aligning with one of the fastest-growing organizations in competitive gaming to push CREEPZ into the esports mainstream through tournaments, influencer collaborations, and live events.
A Web3 Entertainment Powerhouse
CREEPZ’s transition marks a seismic shift in how Web3-native brands enter mainstream entertainment. Unlike other projects that rely solely on token speculation, CREEPZ is rolling out a full ecosystem at $CREEPZ TGE, ensuring real utility from day one. This approach sets CREEPZ apart from previous NFT projects, delivering an actual entertainment experience rather than a speculative asset.
“CREEPZ isn’t just another NFT project—it’s the blueprint for how Web3 IP breaks into mainstream culture,” said the Overlord, creator of CREEPZ. “Where others have stumbled, we’re proving that Web3 can power real entertainment experiences that captivate audiences globally. Gaming, fashion, and entertainment aren’t separate verticals for us—they’re part of one interconnected vision.”
CREEPZ is offering exclusive interviews with its creator, the Overlord, to discuss its groundbreaking approach to Web3 entertainment, how it’s surpassing industry giants like BAYC, Azuki, and Pudgy Penguins, and why top entertainment and gaming brands are betting on CREEPZ to become the next cultural phenomenon.
About CREEPZ
CREEPZ is a counterculture entertainment brand born from web3. Originally a $400M+ NFT phenomenon, CREEPZ has evolved into a full-scale multimedia powerhouse, spanning gaming, fashion, and entertainment. With backing from WME, top esports organizations, and award-winning animation studios, CREEPZ is setting a new standard for how Web3 IP integrates into mainstream culture.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after an alleged sexual assault occurred in Alawa overnight.
Around 9:30pm, it is alleged a female was sexually assaulted by an unknown male in bushland along Lakeside Drive. The victim was physically assaulted before the offender sexually assaulted her and fled the scene.
She was later found by a passerby with injuries to her face and legs.
The alleged offender is described as being of Aboriginal appearance, around 40 years of age, with a thin build, and dishevelled hair and beard. He was wearing long pants and a dark navy or black-coloured top.
Police urge anyone with information or who has CCTV in the area to make contact on 131 44. Please quote reference number P25058851. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Tasmania Police is investigating after several parked cars were damaged overnight in the vicinity of York Street and Margaret Street in Launceston. Some vehicles appear to have had fuel stolen from them. Police are urging anyone who may have been parked in the area overnight to check their vehicles for potential damage. Anyone who may have seen people acting suspiciously in the area is asked to call Launceston Police on 131444 or you can report the information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperstas.com.au.
Tasmania Police’s Taskforce Reprisal continues to target those offenders causing the most harm to the community. Acting Sergeant Katie Swift said “yesterday, two youths were arrested in relation to an extensive number of shoplifting matters which had occurred in Hobart since October 2024.” “A 15-year-old boy will appear in court today charged with 32 counts of stealing, 16 counts of trespass, 4 counts of breaching bail, 2 counts of mark graffiti, 1 count of Injure property, 1 count of possess graffiti equipment in a public place and 1 count of unlawfully possess dangerous article in a public place.” “The second youth, a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged with 8 counts of stealing, 7 counts of trespass, 1 count of mark graffiti, 1 count of possess thing used for administration of a controlled drug, 1 count of unlawfully possess dangerous article in a public place, and 1 count of possess graffiti equipment in a public place. The boy will appear in court at a later date.” “The youths targeted fragrances, clothing and food items, valued at over $3000.” “Tasmania Police will continue to prioritise the safety and security of our community and where appropriate, necessary and authorised by law, we will be charging those who offend and putting them before a Magistrate.” “Our community deserves to feel safe at home, out in public and in their workplaces,” she said. Anyone who witnesses illegal or anti-social behaviour should report it to police on 131 444, or triple-zero (000) in an emergency. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at crimestopperstas.com.au, and you can stay anonymous.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested 29-year-old male in relation to an aggravated assault that occurred overnight in a community in the Roper Gulf Region.
Around 9:10pm, police received a report that a 20-year-old female had been assaulted multiple times with an edged weapon in Beswick community. The victim was presented at the local clinic with stab wounds to the abdomen, back and legs.
It is alleged the victim was assaulted by her partner at their residential address before he drove her to the local clinic for medical assistance.
The victim was stabilised by Care Flight at the clinic before being conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment where she remains in a critical condition.
Following the incident, family members from both parties allegedly began creating disturbances outside the health clinic.
Katherine and Mataranka police were deployed to the community to manage the unrest and investigate.
A 29-year-old male was arrested at the scene and remains in police custody.
Katherine Criminal Investigations Branch has carriage and investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone with information about the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25058832.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: The White House
Support continues to roll in for the unwavering commitment of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Vance to the American people and the Trump Administration’s relentless pursuit of peace. Speaker Mike Johnson: “Thanks to President Trump – the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER. The death and destruction of the Russian-provoked war needs to stop immediately, and only our American President can put these two countries on a path to lasting peace. President Zelenskyy needed to acknowledge that, and accept the extraordinary mineral rights partnership proposal that President Trump put on the table. What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “The only person on the planet who is actively trying to bring an end to this conflict is named Donald Trump, the President of the United States.” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz: “It’s not clear that Zelenskyy truly wants to stop the fighting. He came in, even though he was warned not to, determined to litigate all of that … This was the wrong approach, wrong time in history, and definitely the wrong president to try to do this.” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your unwavering leadership in standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace. What you said is absolutely true: Zelensky has been trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3 for years now, and no one has called him on it. Thank you, Vice President @JDVance for speaking out so forcefully and clearly, about the necessity of diplomacy.” UN Ambassador-designate Elise Stefanik: “President Trump will ALWAYS stand up for the American people – especially in the Oval Office. Peace through strength is back on the world stage because of President Trump’s bold and strong leadership.” Sen. Eric Schmitt: “Zelensky was probably used to talking this way to American leaders. Apparently, no one told him that things have changed. The age of America Last foreign policy is over. From this day forward, it’s going to be only America First.” Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I have never been more proud of the president. I was very proud of JD Vance, standing up for our country.” CNN’s Scott Jennings: “All Zelenskyy had to do today was put on a tie, show up, smile, say thank you, sign the papers, and have lunch. That’s it — and he couldn’t do that.” Marc Thiessen: “There was no ambush. Z was set up for success. All he had to do was not get into a public fight and sign the minerals deal. Not hard. A lot of work went into making a successful moment possible and he blew it and then refused to apologize.” Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: “The way that President Trump defended Americans after YEARS of being fleeced and abused and taken advantage of and taken for granted — millions of American hearts swelled with overflowing pride today to watch President Trump put Zelenskyy in his place.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “[Zelenskyy] refuses to recognize the practical reality of this war. It has been going on for years, his countrymen are dying, and the people who have been funding this effort — the American people — are sick and tired of footing this bill.” Rep. Victoria Spartz: “It’s such a disservice to the Ukrainian people to play hero and politics and trying to increase his rating … Being so insulting to the American people after how much was done by us for Ukraine and for Europe, I can’t believe it.” Rep. Kevin Hern: “President Trump is determined to end the war in Ukraine. He is determined for the world to get back at peace, as it was when he was in office before.”
Police are at the scene of a serious crash at Eudunda.
At 8.45pm Saturday 1 March emergency services were called to the Thiele Highway, just east of the township of Eudunda, after reports that a car had left the road and crashed into a tree.
The Thiele Highway will be closed between Eudunda Road and Plains Road while the Helicopter lands on the highway. Please take direction from emergency services at the scene if travelling through the area.
Police will be proceeding against a 25-year-old Bridport man with traffic offences after he was observed hooning and driving dangerously in Bridport on Friday night. About 10.10pm, a grey Mazda 3 sedan was witnessed travelling north on Main Street, Bridport when it reportedly overtook another vehicle at high speed in a 50km/h zone before proceeding through a roundabout and travelling on the incorrect side of the road at speed. At the time there were pedestrians in the area. The vehicle was intercepted by police and the vehicle was clamped for 90 days. Anyone with information about this incident or who has dash cam footage of a grey Mazda 3 sedan travelling on Main Street at this time is urged to contact Scottsdale Police Station on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000 or at crimestopperstas.com.au
The vehicle was bogged and abandoned on the saltpan for almost six weeks.
Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts in the Townsville region are urged to stop driving on saltpans due to the risks of getting bogged and having their vehicles written off.
Recently, a Toyota Hilux was bogged to the axels and most likely written off after being stuck on the saltpans at Cape Cleveland for almost six weeks.
Senior Conservation Officer Craig Dunk from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation said the owner tried crossing the saltpan in the Bowling Green Bay National Park.
“We don’t want anyone getting bogged on the saltpans, and there are locations in the Townsville region where people can lawfully test their four-wheel-drive skills and their vehicles,” Mr Dunk said.
“Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts need to protect the environment and their vehicles by staying off the saltpans.
“Unfortunately, the Hilux owner tried to drive about three kilometres across the saltpan to reach a creek on the other side and made it about halfway across before abandoning his vehicle.
“He reported it to the department on 23 September 2024, and unfavourable weather conditions meant it couldn’t be retrieved until 5 November 2024.
“During that time, it was inundated by several king tides and exposed to heavy rain, and it is likely that it will be written off.
“Once the thick saltpan crust is broken a vehicle will quickly sink to the axels, and this is an expensive price to pay for disregarding the environment.”
Mr Dunk said under the Nature Conservation Regulation, it is an offence to drive or ride a vehicle into restricted sections of a protected area and people can be fined for leaving access tracks.
“We have issued a $322 fine to the Hilux owner and issued fines to two other people who recently became bogged in our protected areas,” he said.
“Saltpans in Bowling Green Bay National Park are also listed under the Ramsar convention on wetlands of international importance, and the maximum penalty for unauthorised use of a vehicle in a protected area is $3,226.
“Driving on saltpans damages the crust, uproots vegetation, causes soil compaction and erosion, disturbs bird and crustacean populations and has the potential for contamination.
“They are critical parts of our marine ecosystems and support hidden life, including saline or brackish sedgelands, crustaceans, worms and birdlife.”
We are strongly advising campers to consider leaving K’gari, Inskip and Cooloola camping areas, while it is still safe to do so, with Tropical Cyclone Alfred influences starting to be felt in South East coastal areas today, and forecast to intensify.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is currently not accepting new camping bookings in these recreation areas, with refunds available for those who have already booked.
While there is increasing confidence by the Bureau of Meteorology that Tropical Cyclone Alfred will stay off shore, K’gari, Inskip and the Cooloola Coast are experiencing higher than normal tides, and coastal erosion due to worsening weather conditions.
Increased rainfall and strong gale force winds are expected to impact the region over the weekend.
The safety of campers in our national parks is our top priority and we will visit re-opening camping bookings when it is safe to do so.
We urge those leaving camping areas to drive safely, stay off the dunes and follow the instructions of QPWS rangers and emergency services.
Monitor Park Alerts for up-to-date information on protected area closures.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 20-year-old male in relation to a stolen motor vehicle early this morning in Palmerston.
Around 2:10am, a stolen Kia Sorento SUV failed to stop at a traffic apprehension along the Stuart Highway and a police pursuit was initiated.
The stolen Kia collided with a light pole at the intersection of Roystonea Avenue and Temple Terrace before driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
Strike Force Trident members located and arrested the 20-year-old male.
St John Ambulance attended and conveyed the male to Palmerston Regional Hospital under police supervision for assessment and blood tests.
The offender has been issued a Notice to Appear and will face court at a later date.
Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses a crime or anti-social behaviour to make contact on 131 444.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 24-year-old male in relation to a serious assault that occurred in Alice Springs early this morning.
Around 12:30am, police received a report that a male had flagged down a vehicle travelling on Larapinta Drive to assistance his female partner that was injured and unconscious.
The male allegedly nominated himself as the offender to the vehicle occupant before leaving the scene.
Police and St John Ambulance attended and conveyed the 20-year-old female victim to Alice Springs Hospital for treatment where she remains in a stable condition.
A 24-year-old male has since been arrested and remains in police custody.
Investigations are ongoing.
Police urge anyone who may have been in the area at the time or who can assist with information relating to the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number NTP2500021950.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out on 131 444 or in an emergency call 000. You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Senator Reverend Warnock Statement on Trump Administration’s Closure of Five Social Security Offices in Georgia
Social Security Offices (SSA) in BRUNSWICK, COLUMBUS, GAINESVILLE, THOMASVILLE, and VIDALIA will be permanently closed
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s announced closures of five Social Security Administration (SSA) offices throughout Georgia. The SSA offices in the following five Georgia cities will be permanently closed: Brunswick, Columbus, Gainesville, Thomasville, and Vidalia. Georgia has the highest number of SSA offices closed for any state so far.
“For millions of Georgians, Social Security provides a baseline of support and stability. It ensures our seniors, who’ve spent decades paying into the program, can afford rent, groceries, and medication. Permanently closing five Georgia Social Security offices will make it harder for Georgia seniors, especially in rural areas, to enroll in the program, solve payment issues, report fraud, and more.
As I have said before, I am all for cutting government waste and abuse, but never at the expense of hardworking Georgians, especially our retired seniors. On the Senate Aging Committee, I’ve worked to protect Georgians from bad actors looking to take advantage of seniors, and this is no different. The closure of these offices will make it significantly harder for Georgians to get access to their benefits or talk through an often confusing bureaucratic system.
Make no mistake: the money taken away from Georgia seniors will go towards tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. I will use every avenue available to fight back against this reckless action and remain focused on getting our seniors the benefits they paid for and rely on to live safe, healthy lives.”
Headline: $6.5 Million Boost to Enhance Mimosa Rocks National Park
Published: 28 February 2025
Released by: Minister for Environment and Heritage, Minister for Regional NSW
Work is about to commence at Mimosa Rocks National Park on the NSW Far South Coast, which is receiving a $6.5 million funding boost to strengthen the park’s resilience against natural disasters.
Severe flood events in 2021 and 2022 caused significant damage to the park, leading to extensive closures of campsites and visitor precincts.
Around 76 per cent of campgrounds – 60 sites in total – along with several popular day-use areas were either closed or had limited access until repairs could be made.
The investment is being made under the $200 million Infrastructure Betterment Fund, which is financed by the Australian and NSW Governments to support the repair and rebuilding of public assets directly impacted by natural disasters.
This funding for Mimosa Rocks National Park will support critical improvements including:
Upgraded drainage systems to manage heavy rainfall.
Relocation of high-risk campsites to minimise future flood damage.
Improved road surfaces for better access and safety.
Enhanced pedestrian beach access points to mitigate the effects of ocean storms surges and dune erosion.
Improvements will be made to four precincts within the national park, including three campgrounds:
Aragunnu,
Gillards Beach,
Middle Beach,
Nelsons Beach.
Construction will commence in the coming months, and visitors are advised to expect intermittent disruptions.
Quote attributable to Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain:
“Mimosa Rocks National Park is one of the Sapphire Coast’s most popular destinations, which is why we’re investing $6.5 million with the NSW Government to repair the damage caused by storms – supporting upgrades to the park’s facilities, and making it more resilient into the future.
“From fishing, birdwatching, picnics, and whale watching – Mimosa Rocks has so much to offer, which is why we’re ensuring that locals can make the most of it, and that we can continue to attract more visitors to the Bega Valley.”
Quote attributable to NSW Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe:
“National parks are one of NSW’s greatest public assets, loved by everyone from locals to international visitors.
“The NSW Government is funding critical upgrades to Mimosa Rocks National Park to ensure visitor facilities can better withstand storms and floods. This will reduce flood closures and minimise disruptions to visitors, while improving safety.
“The improvements will also reduce economic impacts to the region by ensuring campsites and visitor precincts remain open.”
Quote attributable to NSW Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty:
”This is an important investment in the south coast in the Mimosa Rocks National Park, to ensure more resilience for sites used by visitors can be better protected. This is good for locals and the many Australians who love to visit our parks.
“This is another good example of the positive outcome when the NSW and Commonwealth Governments work close together to deliver for the south coast.”
Quote attributable to NSW Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland:
“Each year, more than 200,000 people visit Mimosa Rocks National Park, making it a key contributor to the regional economy of the Bega Valley.
“It is crucial that Mimosa Rocks is accessible for visitors and offers them an exceptional experience of this beautiful south coast gem.”
Headline: $1.82 million upgrade for TAFE NSW beauty training facility in time for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Published: 28 February 2025
Released by: Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
Beauty students at TAFE NSW Ultimo now have access to the latest industry-aligned training equipment and fit-for-purpose teaching spaces, thanks to a $1.82 million upgrade to the beauty training facilities funded by the NSW Government.
Including dedicated nail and beauty therapy rooms, the modernised facilities will ensure students develop the practical skills and knowledge to start or continue a career in the booming beauty industry.
The teaching space is also equipped with the latest industry-standard tools and resources, including spa chairs, beauty beds, professional lighting, and advanced equipment for specialised skin treatments.
As the beauty services industry continues to grow, enrolments in TAFE NSW beauty courses have increased by 26 per cent over the past five years. The updated training facility will be used to train the future beauty therapists and nail technicians to meet demand.
The investment is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening vocational education and ensuring students have access to modern, industry-standard training environments.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan visited TAFE NSW Ultimo to observe students and teachers performing creative Mardi Gras makeovers in the lead-up to the famous Sydney Mardi Gras Parade happening this weekend.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
“The NSW Government’s investment to upgrade the beauty training facility at TAFE NSW Ultimo demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality, hands-on training to meet industry and consumer demand.
“It’s important the learning spaces and equipment students are using to develop and practice their skills are industry-standard so when they graduate, they’re familiar with the tools and equipment they’ll be using in the workplace.
“The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a major annual event attracting thousands of locals and visitors to Sydney, and thousands more tuning in to watch the famous parade on TV. It was amazing to see the creativity and skill that goes into some truly glamorous Mardi Gras makeovers.”
TAFE NSW Specialist Makeup Services Teacher, Emma Court said:
“It’s exciting to see students learn in our upgraded beauty facilities here at TAFE NSW Ultimo. These spaces offer hands-on training in a modern environment and provide our students with the skills they need to work in the beauty industry.
“The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is an incredibly busy time for makeup artists and beauty therapists across the city. Everyone wants to look their best and demand skyrockets for beauty services including makeup, spray tanning, waxing and acrylic nails.
“In the classroom, we channel the students’ passion for artistry into a fun, practical, and skill-diverse course, setting our students on the best pathway to succeed in the industry. It’s wonderful to see the students nurture their talent and gain more creative confidence – it’s my favourite part of teaching.”
Headline: 70 new units in Tweed Shire to help combat homelessness
Published: 28 February 2025
Released by: Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Housing
The Minns Labor Government is taking important steps to address homelessness in the Northern Rivers, transforming a vacant retirement village into 70 supported temporary accommodation units.
In partnership with Homes NSW, community housing provider Social Futures plans to deliver 70 temporary beds at Tweed Heads, with wraparound support to help vulnerable locals get back on their feet.
The former residential village for over 55s was sitting vacant and unused since it was put on the market in 2023. Soon, it will provide a safe place to stay for community members including seniors and people with a disability, with the first stage of the project to deliver 20 new homes in coming weeks.
The NSW Government is taking decisive action to transform underutilised properties into secure, supported accommodation, run by experienced community housing providers—reducing reliance on costly hotels and motels.
Temporary accommodation is more than just immediate shelter, it’s a lifeline that helps prevent homelessness, connecting people with essential support services for long-term stability and better outcomes.
This project was made possible by a $525,800 grant from the first round of the $100 million Homelessness Innovation Fund.
The grants support new and improved approaches to tackling homelessness and are available to accredited homelessness services, registered Community Housing Providers, Aboriginal Community Housing Providers and those working toward accreditation or registration.
The first funding round backed 24 projects, distributing nearly $10 million, including $768,862 to Social Futures to convert a disused aged care facility into crisis accommodation in Lismore.
Round two recipients will be announced soon, with applications open until 30 April 2025. To find out more, visit the links below:
The Homelessness Innovation Fund is a key part of the NSW Government’s $6.6 billion Building Homes for NSW program, which will deliver:
8,400 new public housing homes
21,000 affordable and market homes
Upgrades to 30,000 social housing properties
This investment reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to tackling homelessness, increasing housing supply and delivering better outcomes for regional communities.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“Homelessness and housing are impacting people right across the state, but this is being felt particularly hard here in the Northern Rivers region.
“We know we need smarter solutions to deliver housing, faster – and last year, we created the Homelessness Innovation Fund to do just that.
“The Fund is about giving trusted community housing and homelessness organisations such as Social Futures a solid foundation to trial new approaches as we work together to tackle the housing crisis.
“We want to move away from relying on expensive hotels and motels for temporary accommodation. These are not appropriate places for the elderly, people with disabilities or families – particularly women and children fleeing domestic violence.
“This project will give vulnerable people in the region access to the care and resources they need – not just a roof over their heads.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“I have been deeply engaged with Tweed Shire Council, community housing providers like Social Futures and others to address the long-standing issue of homelessness in the Tweed, made worse by the 2022 floods which impacted parts of Murwillumbah and surrounds particularly hard.
“This repurposing model, whereby a vacant facility can be easily converted into managed temporary accommodation, will work well here in Tweed Heads, where the need is great.
“I congratulate Homes NSW and Social Futures on partnering in the Soorley Street project, which importantly, has wraparound support services for people who will live in the units.”
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot MP said:
“Our community on the North Coast has one of the highest rates of homelessness across NSW and that’s why this project is vitally important for our region.
“The Federal and State Labor Governments are working together to address the issues of housing affordability, rental stress, and homelessness.
“The NSW Labor Government funding of $525,800 towards these 70 new supported temporary accommodation units in Tweed Heads will provide urgent relief for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
“Social Futures is a trusted community housing and homelessness organisation that works across the region providing important support and services.”
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said:
“Transforming this vacant property into supported temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness provides immediate relief for some of the most vulnerable members of our community.
“By working collaboratively with government, council, and community partners, we’re not only increasing the availability of temporary accommodation – we’re creating a pathway to lasting, positive change.”
“With onsite access to wrap-around support services, security and 24/7 onsite management we can deliver safe, supportive temporary accommodation that empowers people to regain stability and independence as they work toward securing long-term housing.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 31-year-old female in relation to a death that occurred in Alawa overnight.
Around 9:40pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report that a male and a female had been stabbed at an address on Alawa Crescent. The male was reported to be unconscious.
Police and St. John Ambulance attended and located the 33-year-old male victim with stab wounds to his legs in a critical condition, and a 51-year-old female with stab wounds to her leg.
Both victims were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital for treatment.
Paramedics commenced CPR on the 33-year-old male victim who was later pronounced deceased in hospital.
The 31-year-old female alleged offender was arrested at the scene.
She is believed to be the male victim’s partner and known to the female victim.
A crime scene has been declared, and investigations are ongoing.
The offender remains in police custody with charges expected to be laid at a later date.
Police urge anyone with information in relation to the incident to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25057858.
