THE FIFTH STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND AUSTRALIA

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following media release: Today, I co‑chaired the fifth Australia‑China Strategic Economic Dialogue with Chairman Zheng Shanjie of China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). This is the first time in a decade the Strategic Economic Dialogue has been held in back‑to‑back years and comes the day before the 10‑year anniversary of the China‑Australia Free Trade Agreement coming into f...


MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PACKAGE IN RESPONSE TO BONDI TERRORIST ATTACK

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release: In response to Sunday's terrorist attack the Albanese Government is investing $42.6 million in immediate mental health supports to meet the needs of those impacted. This package of supports includes dedicated funding to support the Jewish community, the broader Bondi community, first responders, children and young people. Targeted mental supports for the Jewish community ($14.2 million) will be made ...


PRESS CONFERENCE - CANBERRA

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release: ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Thanks for joining us. And I'm joined by AFP Commissioner, Krissy Barrett, and Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke. Today I confirm that the Federal and New South Wales Governments have declared Sunday 21st of December, a Day of Reflection to honour the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at Bondi Beach and to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community. Furth...


CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE: FORENSIC SERVICES GROUP HONOURS ACHIEVEMENT AT ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

BRISBANE, Queensland, Dec. 18 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release: The Queensland Police Service's (QPS) Forensic Services Group (FSG) proudly recognised the exceptional contributions and long-standing dedication of its members during the annual Honours and Awards Ceremony held in November at Roma St Police Headquarters. FSG Acting Superintendent Philippa Kemp acknowledged the vital role forensic professionals played in supporting investigations and strengthening pu...


INTERVIEW WITH MELISSA CLARKE, RN BREAKFAST, ABC RADIO

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 18 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following transcript: Note Subjects: MYEFO, Bondi terror attack, CSIRO Melissa Clarke: The federal government has handed down its first comprehensive update to the nation's finances since the federal election earlier this year. The mid‑year budget update indicates the budget's bottom line has been improved slightly by more than $8billion over the next 4years when compared to earlier forecasts. Jim Chalmers is the Treasurer...


THE GIFT OF SAFETY: PROTECTING FAMILIES, ELDERS & MENTAL HEALTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

BRISBANE, Queensland, Dec. 18 -- Queensland Police Service issued the following media release: Safety is the gift everyone deserves this Christmas. As the festive season approaches, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) is reminding all community members that violence is never acceptable and that support is always available. The Christmas and New Year period can bring increased financial stress, family pressures, and higher alcohol and drug consumption, which may lead to a heightened risk of do...


SYDNEY MAN CHARGED OVER MID-FLIGHT ANTISEMITIC THREATS

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 18 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: Editor's note: Arrest vision of the man is available via Hightail. A Condell Park man is scheduled to appear before a NSW court today (18 December, 2025) charged with allegedly threatening violence towards a member of the Jewish community on a flight from Bali to Sydney. The man, 19, was charged with one count of threatening force or violence against members of groups or close associates, contrary to secti...


NORTHERN TERRITORY MAN JAILED FOR EIGHT YEARS FOR POSSESSING MORE THAN 8500 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 18 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: Editor's note: Images of the mobile device are available via Hightail. A Darwin man was sentenced to eight years and nine months' imprisonment by the Darwin Supreme Court yesterday (17 December, 2025) for a range of child abuse offences, including the possession of more than 8500 child abuse images. The man, 19, pleaded guilty to a total of 16 offences, including producing, soliciting, accessing and posses...


SOUTH SUDAN-BORN MAN CHARGED WITH VISA BREACH OFFENCES IN MELBOURNE

CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 18 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: A South Sudan-born man is expected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court today (18 December, 2025), charged for allegedly failing to comply with his visa-mandated conditions. The AFP charged the man, 38, after he was located in Melbourne earlier today. It will be alleged the man failed to maintain his electronic monitoring device in working order between the dates of 8 December, 2025 and 14 December...


SEEKING TO IDENTIFY MAN AND TWO UTES FOLLOWING BRADDON THEFT

Belconnen, ACT, Dec. 18 -- ACT Policing issued the following media release: ACT Policing is seeking to identify a man and two vehicles following a theft in Braddon last month. About 10:55pm on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, a man allegedly attended a takeaway business on Mort Street in Braddon and stole two red outdoor umbrellas valued about $2,000 total. CCTV footage depicts the man putting one umbrella in each utility vehicle before he drives away in one. Following enquiries, police are now se...