CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- The Prime Minister of Australia issued the following media release: The Albanese Government will establish a National Gun Buyback Scheme to purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms - the largest since the Howard Government in 1996. This is another part of the Government's response to Sunday's deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Australia's gun laws were last substantially reformed in the wake of the Port Arthur tragedy. Sunday's deadly ISI...
CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: This is a joint media release between Australian Federal Police, Western Australia Police Force and Australia Security Intelligence Organisation The Western Australia Joint Counter Terrorism Team (WA-JCTT) has laid four additional charges against a Perth man for alleged terrorism offences. The man, 21, is expected to appear in Perth Magistrates Court today (19 December, 2025). On 4 December, 2025, followi...
CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: An Afghanistan-born man is set to appear before Penrith Local Court today (19 December, 2025) charged for allegedly failing to comply with his visa-mandated monitoring conditions. The AFP charged the man, 30, on 18 December, 2025, after he was located in Sydney, NSW. It will be alleged the man breached one of the conditions of his Commonwealth visa by failing to ensure his electronic monitoring device rema...
CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release: Editor's note:images available via Hightail The AFP has charged four people and dismantled an organised crime syndicate suspected of laundering millions of dollars in criminal proceeds. The AFP began an investigation in June, 2025, after receiving intelligence from law enforcement partners. The syndicate is suspected of coordinating the collection of criminal proceeds through cash handovers. The cash was ...
Belconnen, ACT, Dec. 19 -- ACT Policing issued the following media release: ACT Policing has charged a 29-year-old NSW manafter he allegedly travelled to Canberra to have sex with a 14-year-old girl. Police allege themaninitiatedcontact with the young personin January (2025) through social media and engaged in ongoing conversations that becamesexualised, despite being aware the girl was14-years-old. The communications later moved to a messaging application, where police allege sexually sugges...
CANBERRA, ACT, Dec. 19 -- The Treasurer of Australia issued the following media release: Today the Albanese Government is releasing draft legislation on reforms to boost the superannuation savings of low‑income workers and make superannuation tax concessions fairer and more sustainable. We're boosting the Low‑Income Superannuation Tax Offset and making a number of important changes to better target superannuation concessions for large balances. This is all about helping workers ea...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...