Belconnen, ACT, Jan. 24 -- ACT Policing issued the following media release: A 53-year-old Red Hill man has been charged with child sex offences after allegedly grooming a girl. In January (2026), police received information regarding an inappropriate relationship between the man and a 13-year-old girl known to him. Police will allege the man began grooming the girl in 2023. Yesterday afternoon (Friday, 23 January 2026), investigators from the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Team executed a se...
BRISBANE, Queensland, Jan. 23 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release: The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has been awarded Bronze Tier Status in the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), the leading national benchmark for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in workplaces across Australia. This recognition reflects QPS's ongoing commitment to building a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we serve. Developed in 2010, the AWEI provides a comprehensive r...
BRISBANE, Queensland, Jan. 23 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release: Nine North Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers were recognised for their exceptional efforts at the 2026 Australia Day Achievement Awards held in Townsville last night. The awards are presented annually to Queensland SES staff and volunteers whose efforts have exceeded the normal course of duty within the previous year. SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong said the awards offered an oppo...
BRISBANE, Queensland, Jan. 23 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release: Queensland authorities are urging boaties and beachgoers to put safety first on the water this long weekend, one of the busiest and highest‑risk periods on the state's waterways. With waterways expected to be bustling, Queensland Water Police, Marine Rescue Queensland (MRQ) and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) are joining forces to help everyone enjoy a safe and memorable break. Water Police S...
CANBERRA, ACT, Jan. 23 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release: MARK GIBSON, HOST:That is Dr Hawke. Yes, Dr Hawke with Walk Right In on 720 ABC Perth. And kind of appropriate, because walking right into the studio is the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, who had a little spring in his step listening to that. ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER:Good morning Mark. Yeah, I haven't heard that for many a year, but they were a fun band, weren't they? GIBSON:We're bringing...
CANBERRA, ACT, Jan. 23 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: Editor's note: Video grabs of Commander Helen Schneider, and filmed tutorials on how to edit back to school photos for safety, are available via Hightail. The AFP-led Australian Centre to Combat Child Exploitation (ACCCE) is guiding parents and carers on how to keep their children SAFE as they head into the classroom for 2026. According to AFP Commander Human Exploitation Helen Schneider, the start of the ...
CANBERRA, ACT, Jan. 23 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: A West Australian man, 35, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment and fined $5000 for possessing and transmitting child abuse and bestiality material. The Butler man was sentenced by Perth District Court on 18 December, 2025, to two years' imprisonment, to be released on a recognisance release order after 12 months, after he previously pleaded guilty to: * Three counts of possess child abuse materia...
Belconnen, ACT, Jan. 23 -- ACT Policing issued the following media release: ACT Policing is warning of the dangers of leaving pets in hot vehicles after officers rescued two dogsin Tuggeranong earlier this week. About 4pmon Wednesday (21 January 2026),police received reports of two dogs locked ina carin ashoppingcentrecarpark. Policearrivedandobservedthe two dogs in a very distressed state, withthe outside of the carvery hotto touch and all the windows shut. Officers gained access to the veh...
Belconnen, ACT, Jan. 23 -- ACT Policing issued the following media release: A40-year-old man has been charged after allegedly lighting a fire in theGungahlinJoint Emergency Services Centreyesterday afternoon. About 5pm (Thursday, 22 January 2026), the man entered thefoyeroftheGungahlinJoint Emergency Services Centrewith a jerry canand allegedly poured petrol ontothe floor beforethrowing the jerry can into the building. He then allegedly lit the petrol with alighterbefore fleeing in a vehicle....
CANBERRA, ACT, Jan. 23 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: The AFP has congratulated the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) after it foiled an alleged attempt by a criminal syndicate to smuggle hundreds of litres of heroin and MDMA through Malaysia, with the shipment allegedly bound for Australian shores. The consignment, which consisted of two shipping containers listed to contain juice boxes and olive oil, was intercepted by the RMP when it arrived in Malaysia on 18 Jan...