A southern suburbs man was arrested today charged with two counts of disseminating child exploitation material and two counts of possessing child exploitation material.
On Wednesday 26 March, Investigators from the South Australian JACET, a joint taskforce between South Australia Police and Australian Federal Police, attended a southern suburbs address as a result of an online conversation between the accused and a covert online police officer.
Investigators and Digital Evidence Specialists arrested a 43-year-old man from the address.
Initial forensic digital examinations allegedly located child exploitation material on the man’s two mobile phones.
Further forensic examination will be conducted, and additional charges may be laid.
The arrested man was refused police bail and will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court today.
Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Tomkins, Investigations Manager of JACET, stated, “Alongside our partner agencies, we are absolutely committed to prosecuting anyone who goes after our community’s most vulnerable.
“We maintain our online presence with an unwavering dedication to identify those who would prey on our children, who quite innocently are utilising the internet for a variety of reasons.
“It is confronting and challenging for the investigators to engage with such persons however the officers are relentless in their pursuit of those who believe they can operate on the internet and prey on our children.”
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.accce.gov.au/report
If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on Triple Zero (000).
As the sun was setting over Safety Beach on Tuesday night crews from SES, CFA, Victoria Police, FRV, and members of the community worked together to free a dog that had become stuck in the rocks.
Crews responded just before 7pm and after a long and careful operation to remove Roxy from the rocks that create the breakwater for the entrance to Martha’s Cove, the crews were then faced with the challenge of getting the injured dog off the rocks.
Roxy was unable to walk after her ordeal, the crews had the options of carrying Roxy over the rough terrain or waiting for a boat to arrive from Marine Rescue or Coast Guard to take her by sea.
Light was fading quickly as a Jet Ski operator passed by slowly, allowing firefighters to ask his assistance.
He was happy to help however, the sore Roxy didn’t much like the idea of getting on board.
Eventually a boat returning to the dock came along, hoping to be in by dark they were swept willingly into the rescue operation.
With surgeon like precision, the boat’s captain manoeuvred his craft close to the rocks near the rescuers.
Roxy, safely in a stretcher, and her owner were then able to board the vessel and return safety to dock.
“This is a great example of the community coming together to assist strangers, without question or hesitation” Commander Tony Ford said.
“We really would like to thank the boat and Jet Ski operators for coming to the assistance of the rescue operation” he said.
“And the good news is the Roxy was able to walk off the boat and jump in the family wagon waiting at the end of the pier.”
The Labor government used this week’s budget to announce it plans to ban non-compete agreements for employees on less than A$175,000 per year, a move that will affect about 3 million Australian workers.
Describing them as “unfair”, a media release by federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said non‑compete clauses “are holding back Australian workers from switching to better, higher‑paying jobs”. Banning non-compete clauses could lift the wages of affected workers by up to 4%, the government has said.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry quickly called the measure “heavy-handed”, arguing that very few employees, according to businesses, turn down employment due to non-compete clauses.
However, research I did with colleagues from Melbourne and Monash universities showed very few employees signing a new job contract ever think about the end of the relationship and what might happen after.
Workers often accept non-compete clauses with little understanding or regard for their practical implications.
What the law currently says
The current law says contractual clauses that stop departing workers from taking a new job in their preferred line of work, often for long periods of time, are – in principle – unenforceable.
That is, however, unless a court says a particular non-compete clause is “reasonably required” to protect a “legitimate interest”.
Therein lies the problem: it is hard to predict when, where or under what circumstances a court will find a particular clause is “reasonably required”.
Our research concluded this uncertainty favoured employers with greater nous and resources.
These employers have the advantage over employees, who are rarely willing or able to go to court arguing their non-compete clause is invalid.
This has a chilling effect on the mobility of employees. In other words, these clauses make it harder for workers to change jobs.
That’s detrimental to labour market competition and can hold back knowledge-sharing and economic growth.
Global efforts to ban non-compete clauses
In California, non-compete clauses have long been banned. Many economists have identified this as among the key reasons for the success of the Californian knowledge economy. This example also featured in a submission I made (with researcher Caitlyn Douglas) to a 2024 Treasury review into non-compete clauses in Australia.
US research from 2021 also found non-compete clauses can hinder labour mobility. They can impede fundamental freedoms such as freedom of employment and freedom of general competition.
In 2024, under President Biden, the US Federal Trade Commission banned non-competes clauses across the US.
However, the ban has been blocked due to legal challenges in the US Federal Court. It’s also been reported the Trump administration may kill off these reforms altogether.
The UK government proposed in 2023 limiting non-competes to a maximum of three months.
Holding employees back
Unlike in some countries, Australian law does not require employers to compensate their ex-employee for loss of income during their non-compete period.
This means that if workers comply and do not work in the field they’re most skilled for, they will take a serious financial hit for months or more.
This is another detrimental effect of non-compete clauses. They really hurt if the worker in question is lower paid and has very specific skills (such as hairdressers or dental assistants).
In that respect, Labor’s mooted ban on such clauses for employees on less than $175,000 is well conceived.
Courts will usually only enforce a non-compete clause if its terms are reasonable to protect a legitimate interest, such as trade secrets an employee has learned during their employment.
However, it’s mostly higher-ranked employees that have access to really significant trade secrets, such as technical information, confidential business plans or pricing structures.
Higher paid employees are also more often the “public face of the business”. A court might decide it’s fair to say such workers can’t leave and the next day turn up as the main face of a competing business.
And the new government proposal won’t leave employers without any recourse against employees who take their genuine trade secrets and pass them on to their new employers. They will still be able to sue for breach of confidence.
Non-competes really hurt if the worker in question is lower paid and has very specific skills (such as hairdressers or dental assistants). Dorde Krstic/Shutterstock
Challenges for reform
The proposed reforms are well supported by authoritative legal and economic research.
The federal government will have to consider carefully how to make sure the prohibition cannot be easily circumvented.
And they’ll have to ensure these reforms don’t make it more likely judges will find restraints valid for those on more than A$175,000. Labour and knowledge mobility remain crucially important for them too.
Another key challenge will be ensuring a ban doesn’t encourage practices or clauses restricting competition to emerge or become too prevalent.
That could include “garden leave” clauses. These give a departing employee a long notice period, during which they are paid but do not work and are isolated from their employment (and instead “doing the gardening” at home).
The risk is that if employers can no longer include non-compete clauses in contracts, they might use long garden leave provisions more often.
Although it is good that “garden leave” employees get paid during that period (unlike during a non-compete term), they are still isolated from their work, stagnating in their skills and unable to move to new employment.
William van Caenegem received funding from the Australian Research Council a decade ago for some of the research referred to in this article.
Police investigating after man taken into custody at Goodwood
Wednesday, 26 March 2025 – 3:04 pm.
Police are continuing to investigate after a man was taken into custody at Goodwood earlier today. About 9.30am police were called to a disturbance at a private residence at Claremont where a man was behaving erratically while in possession of an edged weapon. The man then allegedly stole a vehicle and fled the scene before police arrived. Nobody was physically injured. Police will allege the man then drove to Goodwood where he crashed into a building in the Technopark area and entered the premises. Police arrived within minutes and the man was quickly taken into custody. A woman, believed to have been known to the man, received minor injuries during an altercation with him. She was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital. The building at Goodwood was evacuated and declared a crime scene. A second crime scene was declared at the Claremont residence before police were called to a residence at West Moonah following reports of a fire. That property has also been declared a crime scene, and police are investigating whether the fire is connected to the incidents at Claremont and Goodwood. Nobody was home at the time of the fire. Inspector Jason Klug said the suspect -– a 55-year-old West Moonah man – remained in custody. “This is a concerning incident, involving a private workplace, and we recognise the impact this may have on staff as well as the broader community,” he said. “However, we’d like to reassure the public the suspect was quickly taken into custody and there is no ongoing threat.” Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
Senator Rosen Was Also Recently Reaffirmed As One Of The Most Bipartisan Senators
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) was named one of the top ten most effective Democratic Senators in the 118th Congress, according to a non-partisan study by the Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University released today. Senator Rosen was the ninth most effective Senate Democrat and the third-most effective first-term senator, making her one of only four first-term senators who “exceeded expectations” as above-average effective lawmakers.
“Nevadans know that I’m an independent voice for them in the U.S. Senate who works across party lines to get things done,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m honored to have been recognized once again as one of the most effective senators for my work to deliver for the people of Nevada. I’ll continue to be a strong, effective advocate for our state and will work tirelessly to help hardworking families thrive.”
Since arriving in Congress, Senator Rosen has worked across party lines to deliver for Nevada. She has been consistently named and reaffirmed as one of the most bipartisan members of the Senate. She has also been recognized as one of the most independent senators for being willing to break with her own party to deliver for Nevada.
The Center for Effective Lawmaking at the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University legislative effectiveness scorecard can be found here.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla Blasts Trump Executive Order Attempting to Disenfranchise Millions of American Voters
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, issued the following statement condemning President Donald Trump’s harmful executive order that threatens to disenfranchise millions of American voters and undermines Congress’ authority over the administration of federal elections and the independence of the Election Assistance Commission:
“As former California Secretary of State and Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee, I know full well that President Trump’s executive order does nothing to improve the safety of our federal elections — what it would do is disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters.
“President Trump is a notorious election denier. He lacks the authority to implement many of the changes laid out in this illegal executive order, which also ignores the requirements set forth in the bipartisan Help America Vote Act.
“Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy and attempts by the President to make it harder for eligible voters to participate hurts all Americans, regardless of party. I stand ready to work with anyone on responsible solutions to improve election security and increase voter participation, but this sham order is not the answer. I will keep fighting against the Trump Administration’s brazen attempts to undermine our elections, and will work to protect American voters.”
As Ranking Member of the Rules Committee, which has oversight over federal elections, Senator Padilla has fought against President Trump’s unprecedented attacks against election security. Last week, Padilla and Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led 29 Democratic Senators in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the essential work of the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force, which directs the Department’s efforts to protect election officials from rising threats and acts of violence. Last month, he pressed senior officials at CISA for answers after they fired employees who have worked to combat election misinformation. During his first business meeting as Rules Committee Ranking Member, Padilla highlighted threats to election security and the importance of free and fair elections. Additionally, Padilla expressed serious concerns about the dangerous implications for elections following President Trump’s executive order purporting to bring independent regulatory agencies under total control of the White House. Padilla previously denounced the illegal firing of Federal Election Commission (FEC) Chair Ellen Weintraub and led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind his attempt.
Police have taken a third young person into custody in relation to an aggravated robbery in Invercargill.
At around 3.30am on Monday 24 March, Police were alerted to four people entering a store on North Road. The group targeted cigarettes and tobacco before fleeing in a vehicle.
Today, Police located the youth and took them into custody without incident.
The young person appeared in Invercargill Youth Court today.
Police continue to investigate the aggravated burglary and further arrests are likely.
Take part in the City’s annual Community Waste Drop-Off Weekend on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April 2025 at the Ashby Operations Centre.
Open from 8am to 4pm all weekend, this event offers an easy and environmentally friendly way to dispose of bulky and hard-to-recycle items including:
Tyres (limit of four per household)
E-waste
Cardboard
Polystyrene.
Last year, more than 900 residents took part in the event, which saw an impressive amount of waste collected, including:
9,775 kg of e-waste, equivalent to 36.89 tonnes of carbon offset, the same as 12 flights between Perth and Sydney in carbon emissions
1,341 tyres, stacked up they would cover half the area of the Sydney Opera House
5.5 tonnes of cardboard, which is about the weight of three adult elephants; and
29 cubic metresof polystyrene, enough to fill roughly 14 average-sized refrigerators!
Mayor Linda Aitken said the annual event helped reduce waste to landfill and tackle illegal dumping
“The community waste drop-off weekend is the perfect opportunity to clear out unwanted, bulky items and make sure they’re disposed of responsibly,” she said.
“Recycling isn’t just about disposing of waste, it’s about coming together as a community to protect our future.
“Together, we’re creating a cleaner, greener community, and this event is just one way to help reduce waste.”
Can’t get down to drop off your bulky waste? You can always check out more info on the City’s bookable bulk service or head to nearby recycling centres like Wangara Greens Recycling Facility, Tamala Park or Balcatta Recycling Centre.
Event details:
Date: Saturday 5 April and Sunday 6 April 2025
Time: 8am to 4pm each day
Location: Ashby Operations Centre, (north entrance), 1204 Wanneroo Road, Ashby
After dropping off your recycling, tree’t yourself!
The City will also be giving away free native shrubs and tree seedlings as part of the City’s Wannagrow program for the WA Tree Festival. These will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday 5 April until stocks last.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
As part of ACT Government’s ‘One Government, One Voice’ program, we are transitioning this website across to our . You can access everything you need through this website while it’s happening.
Released 25/03/2025
The ACT Government welcomes the wide range of initiatives in the 2025-26 Commonwealth Budget that will benefit Canberrans and our city.
Continued cost of living relief for all Canberrans
The ACT Government welcomes new relief for Canberrans who need it most, with tax cuts across the board including a further exemption for low-income earners with increases to the Medicare levy low-income thresholds.
We also know that Canberra households have faced significantly rising costs over the past two years, which thankfully have started to moderate. The $150 Energy Bill Relief for every household in the ACT will provide much needed relief for nearly two hundred thousand Canberra households as well as small businesses.
Across the five jurisdictions in the National Electricity Market, the ACT is expected to have the lowest standing offers in 2025-26 – the future is renewable.
Additionally, the Commonwealth Government’s largest investment in Medicare since its inception will help take some of the pressure off our hospital system and continue to ensure Canberrans get the care they need when they need it.
Canberrans deserve to be able to access bulk-billed GPs and appropriately funding primary care is critical to address the complexities of demand in our health system.
Funding for an additional urgent care clinic in Woden is delivered through the budget, as is a boost to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that will benefit all Canberrans.
Canberrans are more likely than any other Australians to have a tertiary qualification and so will disproportionately benefit from further reductions in HECS-HELP debts; we want more Canberrans to attain tertiary qualifications for the jobs of the future and for more Australians to choose our great universities as their preferred place of study.
Housing
The ACT Government remains committed to delivering on the targets set out in the National Housing Accord and we are working to deliver above our per capita share of the national target of 1.2 million homes. We know that increasing housing supply will improve housing affordability, access and choice for Canberrans.
The ACT Government welcomes the increased income and property price caps under the Government’s Help to Buy scheme which will support more Canberrans to enter the housing market with lower deposits and smaller mortgages. Purchase of homes of up to $1 million in Canberra will now be supported under the scheme, up from $750,000.
The ACT’s apprentices in residential construction will benefit from $10,000 in cost of living completion payments, which will support the construction industry to build more homes.
National Capital Investment Framework
The ACT Government welcomes this additional investment into major transport infrastructure across our city.
We will continue to work in partnership with the Commonwealth Government to deliver projects that create local jobs and strengthen our economy.
This pipeline of investment supports our broader strategic objectives for transport planning including unlocking land for more housing, new public transport routes and improving connections with our surrounding region.
The Budget commits another $53.5 million as part of the 2025-26 to support the next stage of growth and ensure projects across the territory can actually be delivered. This includes:
$30 million to complete the Monaro Highway Upgrade
$20 million to complete for the Monaro Highway Upgrade Stage 2 Upgrades
$3.5 million to complete the duplication of Gundaroo Drive
The Budget also provides a $30 million boost over five years for the ACT under the Roads to Recovery program, which will go directly to maintaining the ACT’s existing road network. This includes $8.6 million for resurfacing the Kings Highway near Kowen.
Under the previous Commonwealth Government, Commonwealth infrastructure investment for Canberra lagged behind the rest of the country.
Public Service
A strong Australian Public Service is crucial to Canberra’s economy and local businesses. The ACT Government welcomes the continued strong support for the Public Service by the Commonwealth Government which has supported continued low unemployment and strong wage growth across the broader economy.
Over this term of government, the Commonwealth Government has supported this growth in the APS across every part of our city. The ACT Government welcomes the continued investment in the National Security Office Precinct which started construction earlier this year.
An alternative approach of severe and prolonged cuts to the Australian Public Service would be an attack on Canberra’s economy and local businesses.
National Broadband Network
The ACT will be the largest proportionate beneficiary from a $3 billion investment the National Broadband Network. This investment will see 100,000 more Canberrans connected with faster and more reliable internet by upgrading remaining fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network.
Former investment manager sentenced for creating false documents for investors following ASIC investigation and CDPP prosecution Ben.PetersJones
On 20 December 2024, Brett Trevillian was convicted and sentenced in the NSW District Court to three years’ imprisonment, to be served by way of an intensive correction order, following a plea of guilty to two charges of making a false document to obtain a financial advantage, contrary to s 253(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
The Offending
Mr Trevillian was an investment manager and the sole secretary and director of a company called Metal Alpha Pty Ltd (Metal Alpha).
Mr Trevillian, through Metal Alpha, was contracted as the investment manager for a company called AlphaThorn Pty Ltd. AlphaThorn was controlled by Gabriel Yakob and offered investment products to private clients/investors (‘high net-worth individuals‘). Two such products AlphaThorn offered were the ‘Secured Service’ and the ‘Enhanced Service’. Both these products were based on Mr Trevillian’s purported trading strategy, which he called ‘The Gold Method’.
In March 2019, Yakob and AlphaThorn instructed Mr Trevillian to retain an accountancy firm to verify the returns on investments that Mr Trevillian purportedly had been traded in the past using The Gold Method. The report was, ultimately, to be used as a form of advertisement for AlphaThorn, to show prospective investors the high return on investments that had been achieved in the past and induce future investment. Mr Trevillian knew the purpose of the reports was to provide the report to prospective future investors.
Mr Trevillian never went to an accountancy firm to obtain such a report. Instead, during the period 22 April 2019 to 2 October 2019, Mr Trevillian created four forged documents, each called a ‘Portfolio Performance Verification – Report of factual findings’ (PVR). He then provided the PVRs to AlphaThorn and claimed he received them from the accountancy practice, Bell Partners Advisors Auditors Pty Ltd (Bell Partners).
The forged PVRs falsely verified or claimed a history of successful investment returns and falsely claimed that trading had been conducted through a particular broking firm and that the reports had been produced by an external firm of accountants who had verified actual trading – including forging the signature of an accountant.
On 14 July 2020, Bell Partners learnt of the forgery and subsequently reported the matter to ASIC.
Following an ASIC investigation and referral to the CDPP, Mr Trevillian was charged with four offences contrary to section s 253(b)(ii) of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), to which he entered early pleas of guilty at committal to two rolled up offences. The maximum penalty for each offence was imprisonment for 10 years.
Sentence
The sentence hearing was heard before Judge Neilson in the Downing Centre District Court on 23‑25 September 2024, with judgment handed down on 8 November and 20 December 2024.
His Honour sentenced the offender to three years’ imprisonment to be served by way of an intensive correction order (ICO).
His Honour noted the offender’s good character, found him to have good prospects of rehabilitation and noted the onerousness of a custodial sentence. His Honour also applied a 25% discount for the early guilty pleas.
Relevant links
ASIC Media Release (11 November 2024) – Former investment manager Brett Trevillian sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for forging reports for investors
We’re pleased to welcome 12 local primary schools into the 2025 City of Wanneroo School Leadership Program.
Since 2019, the program has fostered leadership, teamwork and community connection among young people in our community and has helped nearly 500 students develop confidence and skills to lead positive change within their community.
As part of the program, participating students band together to create a community action project that focuses on improving the environment, safety, advocacy, inclusion or health in their neighbourhoods.
Mayor Linda Aitken said the program played an important role in shaping the future leaders of our communities.
“The School Leadership Program empowers young people to make a real difference in their own backyard, and investing in our young people is investing in the future of the City of Wanneroo,” she said.
“Through this program, we are not only developing leadership skills but also fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility that will benefit our community for years to come.”
This year’s participating schools are:
Alkimos Primary
Carnaby Rise Primary
Carramar Primary
Clarkson Primary
East Wanneroo Primary
Mindarie Primary
Our Lady of Mercy Primary
Quinns Rocks Primary
Rawlinson Primary
St Anthony’s Wanneroo
St Elizabeth’s Catholic Primary
Tapping Primary
The program kicks off with the Youth Leadership Forum on 8 May, where students will engage in interactive workshops, hear from inspiring leaders and start developing their Community Action Projects.
Stay tuned as these young changemakers embark on their leadership journey.
Source: United Kingdom National Police Chiefs Council
A new anti-racism commitment for policing has been published in a major update from the Police Race Action Plan.
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson is among several senior leaders to renew their commitment to tackling racial disparities in policing and the wider criminal justice system in a plan update report published today (Wednesday).
The commitment aims to set out the goals of an anti-racist police service, describes anti-racism in a policing context, and the action required to achieve it.
Views from policing, partners in the criminal justice system, civil society groups and communities have shaped the commitment, as well as other published statements of anti-racism.
The update also outlines proposals for a new maturity matrix being developed by the plan, a set of performance standards to help assess delivery of the plan and efforts to address racial disparities.
The maturity matrix is a cornerstone of the vision for long term scrutiny and accountability for the plan’s delivery, further details of which are included in the update.
The document contains contributions from 12 different organisations outlining their views on the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) and its progress, as well as wider efforts to tackle discrimination and address racial disparities.
This includes contributions from the policing minister, senior police officers, agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service as well as representatives from civil society groups and the National Black Police Association.
The PRAP has also published an update on its progress in delivering actions in the original plan, as well as bringing together examples of work being delivered in local forces in support of the PRAP’s objectives.
T/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dr Alison Heydari, programme director for the plan, said: “This update marks another milestone in our efforts to embed our ambition of delivering an anti-racist police service into the DNA of policing.
“The reason I joined the plan was to shape its future and lead the changes we need to deliver. It remains the case that people from Black communities have the lowest levels of confidence in the police, are underrepresented in our workforce and are more likely to experience police powers such as stop and search or use of force.
“Black communities need to see and, crucially, feel change in policing. While we have a long way to go, this update outlines the work that is happening to deliver significant cultural change and improvements for the longer term.
“Explaining or reforming race disparities and addressing mistrust with Black communities will mean we are more effective at fighting crime and protecting all communities.”
The update is the second major report published by the plan in nine months, following publication of its first ever progress report in August.
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: “This is an important benchmark for police forces to show they are serious about becoming fairer, stronger, and, crucially, better equipped to tackle crime and keep their communities safe.
“We are committed to supporting police forces to stamp out racism wherever they see it so that the public are served by a modern and effective service.
“Cutting crime is a priority and one of the ways policing does this is by increasing trust with all communities which can lead to better cooperation with police appeals, more effective crime reporting, and a greater sense of safety among the public.”
Welcoming the third-reading passage of sentencing reforms today, ACT Justice spokesperson Todd Stephenson says:
“Cuddling criminals didn’t work, so ACT campaigned on restoring consequences for crime, and rights for victims. Now, that’s written into law,” says Mr Stephenson.
“The reforms passed today deliver on ACT coalition commitments to create new aggravating factors for crimes against people working sole charge, or in a business attached to the family home.
“We also committed to giving greater weight to the needs of victims and communities over offenders. That’s come to pass with the principles of sentencing amended to include requirement to take into account information provided to the court about victims’ interests.
“Protecting the safety and property of New Zealanders is the government’s first and most important job. That’s why ACT is restoring balance to a system that has become too focused on criminals instead of victims.”
On retail crime:
“People working alone feel especially vulnerable, as do those who work in a business attached to the family home, because they can’t flee without putting loved ones at risk,” says ACT Ethnic Communities spokesperson Dr Parmjeet Parmar.
“I’ve met with shop workers and retailers in Auckland, who have taken costly security measures just so they feel safe as they provide for their families. It is heartbreaking because many people come to New Zealand and take these jobs with the understanding that this is a safe country.
“Now, these workers’ vulnerability is recognised in law. It is a great example of how ACT celebrates the contribution of peaceful and productive communities.”
Attributable to Inspector Lincoln Sycamore, Bay of Plenty District Commander (Acting)
A man has been taken into custody following an incident in Murupara today.
About 6:45am, the man allegedly forced entry into the unmanned Murupara Police station by smashing a glass door. A vehicle was not used to gain entry to the station.
Police cordoned off Pine Drive, with some staff armed as a precaution, and the Police Negotiation Team was called to assist.
An axe and machete were located during a search of the man’s vehicle, along with a chainsaw that had been thrown over a fence.
The Police Negotiation Team engaged with the man for several hours before he was arrested outside the station without further incident, just after 12pm.
All cordons have since been stood down and Pine Drive has reopened to the public.
Charges against the man are being considered.
I want to commend our attending staff on their response to this incident, negotiating a tricky situation to get a peaceful resolution.
We would like to thank the members of the Murupara community for their cooperation and understanding while this incident unfolded.
We understand these incidents can be distressing, however there was not believed to be any risk to public safety during or following today’s events.
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gendry Amilcar Niz-Niz, 25, a native of Guatemala, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with making a false statement, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Andrew J. Henning and Sasha Mascarenhas, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on March 16, 2025, Niz-Niz was pulled over on Main Street in the City of Lockport for numerous vehicle and traffic violations. The Lockport Police Department requested assistance from U.S. Border Patrol personnel after Niz-Niz provided a foreign identification document. He presented an identification card appearing to have originated from the Republic of Guatemala Department of Transportation, bearing the name Juan Martinez-Chavez. When asked his name and country of citizenship by a U.S. Border Patrol agent, Niz-Niz responded “Juan Martinez.” The photo on the identification card matched the defendant. An immigration check utilizing the name and date of birth listed on the identification card did not show any documentation of a legal entry into the United States. In addition, Niz-Niz admitted to entering the U.S. illegally and stated that this was the first time he had been encountered or arrested by immigration authorities. Niz-Niz was then taken into custody. Further investigation determined that Niz-Niz had previously been arrested under the name Gendry Amilcar Niz-Niz in Tucson, Arizona in November 2021.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Steven Abbott and U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Martin B. Coombs.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
ALBANY, NEW YORK – Justin Zimmer, age 45, of Wynantskill, New York, pled guilty today to distributing methamphetamine. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
Zimmer admitted to distributing over 5 grams of pure methamphetamine in Albany County, on or about January 14, 2022. Zimmer is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on July 28, 2025. He faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison, and a term of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
ATF investigated the case with the assistance of the New York Police Department High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Group, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Troy Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen J. Vickey is prosecuting the case.
Two youths have been arrested in Bluff overnight, following a reported burglary at a commercial premises on Gore Street.
At around 2:30am, Police were called to the premises after reports of a burglary. The alleged offenders gained access and have taken items from the store before decamping on foot.
A Police Dog Unit was then called to track the two youths on foot. One was located and taken into custody on Foyle Street, with the second located on Henderson Road just after 3:20am.
One youth is set to appear in Youth Court this morning, with the second being referred to Youth Aid services.
This comes after a similar incident recently, where two other youths were taken into custody and face charges in relation to a robbery at a commercial premises on North Road, Invercargill in the early hours of Monday 24 March.
Police recognise the impact this type of offending has on local businesses and remain committed to holding offenders accountable.
ACT Police spokesperson Todd Stephenson is calling on Green MP Tamatha Paul to host a public meeting on law and order in her electorate to find out what normal people think about the Police.
At an event promoting – in her own words – ‘radical police abolition’, Paulrecently stated:
‘Wellington people do not want to see police officers everywhere, and, for a lot of people, it makes them feel less safe. It’s that constant visual presence that tells you that you might not be safe there, if there’s heaps of cops.’
‘All they do is walk around all day, waiting for homeless people to leave their spot, packing their stuff up and throwing it in the bin.’
“It’s easy to be anti-Police, until you need to call them yourself,” says Mr Stephenson.
“Tamatha Paul has spent so much time hanging out with radical left-wing student groups that she’s got law and order completely backwards. It’s criminals who are the problem, not the Police who catch them.
“Tamatha Paul is the MP for Wellington Central, but she clearly hasn’t spent much time listening to her constituents, who are regularly victimised by crimes and need help from Police. Last year in Wellington City, there were 1,413 assaults, 124 sexual assaults, six abductions, and 1,804 burglaries.*
“If she’s serious about her law and order portfolios, she should host a public meeting in her electorate and hear what normal people – including victims of crime – think about the Police.”
RCMP is seeking public assistance in locating 32-year-old Reuben Huebschwerlen who was last seen approximately 1 pm on Friday, March 21, 2025. His photo is attached to this news release.
Police are concerned for Mr. Huebschwerlen’s well being. He was last seen wearing a Chicago Blackhawks or Bulls Jersey.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Mr. Huebschwerlen is asked to contact the Whitehorse RCMP immediately at 867-667-5555.
Kiwis can now feel safer knowing serious criminals will spend longer in prison with the Government’s sentencing reforms passing final reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Government promised to restore real consequences for crime. That’s exactly what we’re delivering. “In recent years, courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences, despite an alarming increase in violent crime, ram raids and aggravated robberies. “We know that undue leniency has resulted in a loss of public confidence in sentencing, and our justice system as a whole. We developed a culture of excuses for crime. That ends today. “Communities and hardworking New Zealanders should not be made to live and work in fear of criminals who clearly have a flagrant disregard for the law, corrections officers and the general public. “This is a significant milestone in this Government’s mission to restore law and order. It signals to victims that they deserve justice, and that they are our priority.” The reforms strengthen the criminal justice system by:
Capping the sentence discounts that judges can apply at 40 per cent when considering mitigating factors unless it would result in manifestly unjust sentencing outcomes. Preventing repeat discounts for youth and remorse. Lenient sentences are failing to deter offenders who continue to rely on their youth or expressions of remorse without making serious efforts to reform their behaviour. Responding to serious retail crime by introducing a new aggravating factor to address offences against sole charge workers and those whose home and business are interconnected, as committed to in the National-Act coalition agreement. Encouraging the use of cumulative sentencing for offences committed while on bail, in custody, or on parole to denounce behaviour that indicates a disregard for the criminal justice system, as committed to in the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement. Implementing a sliding scale for early guilty pleas with a maximum sentence discount of 25 per cent, reducing to a maximum of 5 per cent for a guilty plea entered during the trial. This will prevent undue discounts for late-stage guilty pleas and avoid unnecessary trials that are costly and stressful for victims. Amending the principles of sentencing to include requirement to take into account any information provided to the court about victims’ interests, as committed to in both coalition agreements.
Two aggravating factors are also included. These respond to:
Adults who exploit children and young people by aiding or abetting them to offend; Offenders who glorify their criminal activities by livestreaming or posting them online.
“We are committed to ensuring there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029, alongside a 15 per cent reduction in serious repeat youth offending,” Mr Goldsmith says.
Three youths charged over series of Launceston burglaries
Wednesday, 26 March 2025 – 10:22 am.
Three youths have been charged over a series of burglaries and stealings in Launceston between 22 March and 24 March following an investigation by Taskforce Raven and Northern CIB. Two 17 year old boys were charged by Northern CIB on 22 March and 23 March in relation to burglaries at a number of commercial businesses and a private residence. They are each facing charges of stealing, aggravated burglary, burglary, and motor vehicle stealing and will appear in the Youth Justice Division of the Launceston Magistrates Court at a later date. During a subsequent search of a private residence at West Launceston yesterday, members of Taskforce Raven and Northern CIB located and seized approximately $8000 worth of the stolen property and arrested a third youth. The 14 year old boy was charged with aggravated burglary, stealing, burglary, attempt to unlawfully set fire to property, and motor vehicle stealing. He was detained to appear in the Youth Justice Division of the Launceston Magistrates Court. During the five burglaries more than $15,000 worth of damage was caused and more than $30,000 worth of property stolen. Investigations into the burglaries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact Taskforce Raven on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au
The Police are on track to have powers to screen drivers for impairing drugs after legislation to enable roadside drug testing passed its third reading today, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Drivers who consume impairing drugs are a significant danger on our roads. In recent years, around 30 percent of road deaths have resulted from crashes involving drivers who had consumed impairing prescription or illicit drugs,” Mr Bishop says.
“The Government’s road safety strategy targets the highest contributing factors to fatal road crashes. The new roadside testing regime will be a key road safety tool because it will allow Police to better detect and deter drug-impaired drivers.
“The Government Q1 Action Plan committed to passing legislation by 31 March 2025 to enable roadside drug testing, and I’m pleased to say we have delivered on that commitment.
“The oral fluid testing regime will give Police the power to screen drivers for drugs at the roadside using oral fluid testing devices without the need to suspect drug use, similar to drink-driving enforcement.
“Two positive roadside screening tests will be required before a driver is prohibited from driving for 12 hours, to address any immediate road safety risk. They will only be issued with an infringement penalty following a positive result from a laboratory test.
“Drivers who refuse to undergo a drug screening test will be issued with an infringement penalty.
“The Government Policy Statement on Land Transport 2024 outlines our expectation that Police undertake 50,000 oral fluid tests per year. I expect this target to be delivered once the roadside drug testing regime is rolled out. We are targeting December 2025, once the necessary operational matters and regulations are in place.”
FRESNO, Calif. — The Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence. At the core of PSN is setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announces the following PSN prosecutions that resulted in sentences in the beginning of 2025.
Arturo Talamantes, 31, of Fresno, was sentenced today to four years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Dec. 16, 2023, police responded to a 911 call from a crowded bar in Fresno reporting a man with a gun. When officers arrived, Talamantes had a loaded black Kahr P40 handgun that he carried through the crowded bar, ignoring officer commands to stop. Once inside, he hid the gun in a hallway storage area where officers found and seized it. Talamantes is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions for manufacturing a short-barreled rifle and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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David Diaz, 48, of Bakersfield, was sentenced on March 3, 2025, to eight years and eight months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2023, Diaz and co-defendant Jesus Alejandro Lopez, 47, of Bakersfield, drove to Fresno after agreeing to sell 35 pounds of methamphetamine. Both men were armed when they arrived. Shortly after arriving, police arrested the men and seized a stolen Rock Island Armory .45 caliber handgun loaded with seven rounds from Diaz. Diaz is prohibited from possessing ammunition due to three prior felony convictions involving possession and transportation of a controlled substance and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
On March 10, 2025, Lopez pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on June 23, 2025. Lopez faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
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Tionte Beard, 25, of Fresno, was sentenced on March 3, 2025, to three years and 10 months in prison for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. According to court documents, on Oct. 28, 2023, police conducted a probation compliance check at Beard’s apartment after Beard posted pictures of guns on his social media. Police seized an Anderson Manufacturing model AM-15 .223-caliber rifle, a Sig Saur model P320 9 mm handgun, and several rounds of ammunition hidden in a laundry basket in a closet. Beard is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to prior felony convictions for carjacking, illegally possessing a firearm, and inflicting corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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Amed Taylor Muhammad, 24, of Fresno, was sentenced on Jan. 13, 2025, to two years and six months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Sept. 26, 2023, police responded to reports of a shooting in southwest Fresno near a high school and middle school. Officers stopped Muhammad near the location of the shooting after eyewitnesses spotted him from the location with others while holding something in his waistband. After a brief struggle, officers detained Muhammad and seized a loaded black Taurus PT140 G2, .40 caliber pistol from his front waistband. Muhammad is prohibited from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions for assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, vehicular theft, and illegally possessing a firearm. This case was the product of an investigation by the Fresno Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.
The above cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody S. Chapple.
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Felix Alejandro, 38, of Delano, was sentenced on Jan. 6, 2025, to four years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. According to court documents, on Aug. 2, 2023, police pulled Alejandro over for violating traffic laws. Alejandro consented to a search of his car and police found a 0.40 caliber semi-automatic Polymer 80 pistol wedged between the driver’s seat and center console. The handgun was loaded with 10 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. Alejandro was on federal supervised release for a prior drug trafficking felony conviction and was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. This case was the product of an investigation by the Delano Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cody S. Chapple and Jeffrey A. Spivak prosecuted the case.
These cases are part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl was sentenced today to 120 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Andrew David Ambler, 27, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on May 24, 2024, Ambler was arrested by members of the Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force on a parole violation for suspected drug trafficking and firearm-related offenses. Prior to being taken into custody, Ambler attempted to flee on foot while trying to get to his vehicle and discarded a backpack and a bag that were on his person. The backpack and bag contained a loaded .22 caliber pistol, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. A search of Ambler’s vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 5,000 fentanyl pills, which he admitted he intended to distribute.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
MISSOULA — A Missoula woman who trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl was sentenced today to 156 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Emily Svoboda, 31, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on November 23, 2022, a confidential source purchased 100 fentanyl pills from Svoboda for $600. The source asked Svoboda if she had any “clear” – a slang term for meth – and Svoboda said she did not currently but likely would be resupplying later in the evening. The confidential source asked for a “roll” of fentanyl pills (100), and Svoboda said she could provide that. Svoboda had a bag of approximately 200 pills but was not willing to sell all of them. Five days later, on November 28, 2022, the confidential source purchased 26.5 grams of methamphetamine and 50 fentanyl pills from Svoboda for $1,000. And on December 9, 2022, Svoboda sold the source 53.7 grams of methamphetamine and 100 fentanyl pills for $1,400. A review of Svoboda’s Facebook pages revealed messages related to drug transactions and she admitted to law enforcement she sold drugs. She said she received between two and four ounces of methamphetamine from a co-conspirator every two to four weeks from roughly September to December 2022.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The ATF, Missoula Police Department, and Missoula HIDTA conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
Police investigating the murder of David John Robinson continue to make progress after new leads breathed renewed energy into the investigation.
The homicide investigation was launched on 28 December 1998 after David’s body was located on a remote West Coast beach near Ross.
For more than 25 years, the investigation has remained open but unresolved, prompting Police to review the case and, in mid-February this year, undertake further enquires.
Approximately two weeks before David’s body was located, mid-morning between 14 and 18 December, a single gunshot was heard by numerous people in the settlement of Kakapotahi.
Since the beginning of the initial investigation, Police have known David was shot once in the head with a .22 calibre firearm.
Detective Inspector Geoff Baber says Police have never located the firearm that was used to murder David.
“As part of the reopened investigation, Police have received a number of .22 firearms from individuals who owned them in the Kakapotahi area in December 1998.
“We are now able to conduct forensic examinations on these firearms so we can rule out any not used in David’s murder.”
Police would like to hear from anyone else who owned a .22 firearm and was in the Kakapotahi area in 1998, or anyone who knew someone in the wider area who had such a firearm.
“For the purpose of our investigation, we ask for people to get in touch, let us know who may have these firearms now, and whether Police could take them temporarily for the purpose of conducting a forensic examination.
“We continue to appeal for anyone who may have owned, used, or had seen a green 4×4 vehicle around 1998 in the Kakapotahi area to please contact us.
“It is not too late to provide David’s family with answers – if you know something, we encourage you to come forward and speak with us.”
If you have information that could assist Police’s investigation, please email us via the Cold Case form on the New Zealand Police website, or call 105 and reference the case number 231129/2221.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Nick Brown today told legislators they can save lives by passing permit to purchase legislation for gun buyers (HB 1163).
“This policy gives us the tools we need to ensure gun buyers aren’t doing so illegally under existing state and federal laws,” Brown said in his testimony to the Senate Committee on Law & Justice. “Through background checks, training, and other safety steps, we can make meaningful use of the critical time between someone’s choice to purchase a firearm and when they obtain that weapon.”
The bill, which the committee is scheduled to vote on Thursday, enhances permitting for firearms by requiring applicants to complete State Patrol-certified safety training, including essential firearm safety procedures, responsible firearm handling, and live-fire exercises to ensure practical firearm proficiency.
“Research and data clearly show that permit-to-purchase programs reduce gun-related deaths, curb gun trafficking, and improve law enforcement officer safety. This bill will save lives,” said Senate Law & Justice Committee Chair Manka Dhingra, D-Redmond.
HB 1163 also establishes in-depth background checks conducted to receive a permit, background checks at the point of purchase, and an annual re-check to ensure permit holders remain eligible. Together, these elements provide more certainty that people who are prohibited from owning guns are quickly and consistently identified and won’t be able to purchase a firearm.
“Gun violence is the number one cause of death for our kids. Not disease, not vehicular collisions, not drugs. As a mom of two little kids, and having lost someone I love to gun violence, this is personal to me,” said House Rep. Liz Berry, D-Seattle, the bill’s lead sponsor. “But I am not alone. Being afraid that our children will suffer from gun violence should not be part of our daily lives. It is unacceptable, it is unsustainable, and we must act today. Permit to Purchase will save lives and make all our communities safer.”
Connecticut enacted similar permit-to-purchase legislation 30 years ago and saw a 40% drop in gun homicides in the decade that followed, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers.
“This bill builds on our commonsense requirement that background checks be part of the process for buying firearms in Washington,” said Sen. Marko Liias, D-Edmonds. “By having people get a permit and background check before they purchase, we can ensure only responsible owners are the ones who have access to firearms in our state/”
The bill previously passed out of the House on a vote of 58-38.
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A bill introduced to parliament this week, if passed, would limit the government’s power to reconsider certain environment approvals when an activity is harming the environment.
It fulfils Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s promise last month to introduce new laws to allow salmon farming to continue in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour. This salmon farming is currently mooted for reconsideration.
There’s no doubt Australia’s nature laws need reform. The latest review found “Australians do not trust that the EPBC Act is delivering for the environment, for business or for the community”.
But stopping the government from reconsidering a past decision is no way to fix these flaws. Reconsidering decisions is necessary if new evidence shows the activity is causing much more harm to nature, or a different kind of harm, than anticipated.
Salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour
Salmon have been farmed in Macquarie Harbour for almost 40 years, but activity has increased over the past decade.
But then-Environment Minister, Tony Bourke, declared no further consideration was needed and the action could proceed, because the proposal was not
“a controlled action”. Under the Act, a controlled action is any activity likely to impact on a matter of national environmental significance, such as a threatened species. A project or development deemed a controlled action then requires approval from the environment minister.
However, Bourke’s decision was subject to conditions – most importantly, to ensure no significant impacts to the Maugean skate.
In late 2023, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek received a series of requests to reconsider Bourke’s 2012 decision.
New evidence comes to light
The power to request a reconsideration is available to anyone. If substantial new information justifies it, the minister may revoke the original decision and make a new one.
In the Macquarie Harbour case, these reconsideration requests relied on scientific studies completed after 2012. One highlighted the skate’s vulnerability to changing water conditions. Another released last month showed a strong correlation between more intense salmon farming and increased extinction risk for the skate.
Plibersek has not made a decision yet. However, documents her office released under Freedom of Information laws show new evidence. This evidence supports a declaration that salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour should be reconsidered. That could trigger a full review of salmon farming in the Harbour.
However, the bill Labor has introduced would strip the minister’s powers to reconsider the earlier decision.
Prime minister promises law change to protect salmon farms, February 2025 (ABC News)
This bill is very specific – it’s a minor change, with extremely strict criteria – focused on giving Tasmanian workers certainty while government investments protect the Maugean Skate. The existing laws apply to everything else, including all new proposals for coal, gas, and land clearing.
But we disagree. The bill describes the circumstances in which the minister can reconsider a decision. These are cases (such as Macquarie Harbour) where an activity is allowed to proceed without full assessment and approval, in a “particular manner”. The “particular manner” must include complying with a state or territory management arrangement. For example, the salmon farmers have to comply with a Tasmanian government plan for Macquarie Harbour. Finally, these activities must be currently underway, and ongoing in that way, for at least five years.
It is not uncommon for “particular manner” decisions to require compliance with state or territory management arrangements. So the new legislation will catch more than just the Macquarie Harbour project in the “net”.
For instance, our quick search of the EPBC Act portal revealed a similar particular manner decision. This means that, after five years of operation, this second decision will also be immune from challenge.
There would be more where that came from. The bill will not only protect salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.
What’s more, reconsideration powers have been used sparingly – there seems no reason to limit their use further. A search of the EPBC Act public portal reveals only 52 reconsideration requests since the Act began, averaging just two a year. Many of these requests were made by proponents, disgruntled with a “controlled action” decision made in relation to their own projects.
One bad bill after another
This may sound familiar, because Labor’s bill is similar to Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck’s private bill proposed in December, which also concerned protecting salmon farming jobs in Macquarie Harbour.
The Senate’s Environment and Communications Legislation Committee made a single recommendation on that bill: that it not be passed.
The majority report (from Labor, Greens and Independent senators) provided sensible reasons for recommending the bill be abandoned. It noted the power to request a reconsideration already has “appropriate safeguards”.
Furthermore, these “safeguards strike an appropriate balance by providing industry with confidence and certainty that a decision made will not be easily reversed, while allowing decisions to be reconsidered should new and significant information relating to the decision arise”.
Just four months later, these remain compelling reasons for maintaining the power to reconsider decisions.
We don’t have time to go backwards
This amendment will not achieve the comprehensive reforms the EPBC Act needs. In fact, it will actively undermine these goals. It has been rushed through after years of effort to improve nature laws, on the eve of an election, in a marginal electorate, and has been put to Parliament on the day of a budget lockup.
Despite removing this scrutiny, the bill is unlikely to resolve the controversy in Macquarie Harbour.
Phillipa McCormack receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the National Environmental Science Program, Natural Hazards Research Australia, Green Adelaide and the ACT Government. She is a member of the National Environmental Law Association and an affiliated member of the Centre for Marine Socioecology.
Justine Bell-James receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the Queensland Government, and the National Environmental Science Program. She is a Director of the National Environmental Law Association and a member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.
