From a busy charity kitchen in Sydney’s east to quiet vigils at churches and synagogues around the country, Australians marked a National Day of Mourning for the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack with food, flowers, candles and a minute’s silence.

The day of observance fell six weeks after 15 people were killed at a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi on 14 December, an attack the Prime Minister has described as antisemitic and a blow to the Australian way of life.

The centrepiece was an invitation only memorial at the Sydney Opera House where family representatives lit candles for each victim and the nation was asked to stop for one minute at 7:01pm AEDT.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the service he was sorry the country could not protect those who died.

Away from the stage and speeches, the day was designed to channel grief into small, practical gestures.

Under the New South Wales government backed One Mitzvah for Bondi campaign, Australians were encouraged to complete a charitable act from checking on neighbours to volunteering time or donating meals.

In Paddington, primary school aged children chopped vegetables and stirred pots at Kids Giving Back, a charity that has run weekly sessions since the attack.

The group said about 350 meals prepared on the day would be distributed to vulnerable people in Sydney’s north west.

At Bondi itself, mourners moved through the pavilion precinct near the site of the shooting, leaving wreaths, flowers and small stones in keeping with Jewish mourning tradition.

Foot traffic ebbed and flowed through the day, with visitors stopping quietly before heading back to work, school or holiday plans.

Federal and state governments also leaned on symbolism to make the day feel national rather than local.

Flags were ordered to half mast at Commonwealth buildings and New South Wales government sites, and major institutions in Canberra and across NSW were lit up after dark.

A national lighting installation titled 15 Pillars of Light was also scheduled from sundown to midnight in capital cities and selected regional locations including at Bondi Pavilion and sites in Brisbane, Darwin and Canberra.

The government said the aim was a visible sign of remembrance and solidarity and confirmed the day was not a public holiday.

A travel agent from Sydney who was convicted of defrauding people out of their money in thousands of dollars has avoided further time in prison after the court ruled that further time would be a formality considering the time he had already spent.

The offender was due to appear in a court in Sydney this week to make a decision regarding a case of sentencing for multiple counts of fraud after the offender was previously convicted for the case.

Which caused people to be financially disappointed as their planned vacations did not come to pass because the flights were not taken or were canceled without the customers receiving the money back.

In arriving at a ruling, the judge recognized the gravity of the offense alongside the financial loss to the victim who had conserved to take a holiday that he would only take once in a lifetime.

Despite the gravity of the offense the court failed to increase the jail time citing the doctrine of proportionality where a sentencing effect would have been over bearing.

The travel agent has indeed been serving his sentence and will continue to be under strict monitoring and requirements imposed in relation to payment.

The judge explained that although there has been a breach of trust considering the nature of the travel industry there has been very little evidence pointing to an improvement in the community and victims if he were subjected to further imprisonment.

The victims were told that the perpetrator was still liable for restitution through existing court orders and civil procedures.

The judge was quoted as saying that accountability did not stop with the decision in the case and that financial restitution would still be pursued where possible.

Renewed debates surround consumer protection in the travel industry especially with travel bookings involving large pre payments.

There have been repeated suggestions and reminders to customers to seek the services of accredited travel agents and the advantages of credit cards that provide protection against non completion of services.

Advocates for consumers say the ruling puts into sharp relief the discrepancy between prison time and restitution.

Though prison time may correctly reflect the seriousness of fraud they say victims more often value recovering some money than having offenders put in prison longer.

The court underscored that it should not be construed as minimizing the injury.

In this regard, the fraud offenses against vulnerable consumers undermine market confidence and call for strong condemnation even when sentencing choices are confined by the time already served and individual circumstances of the fraudster.

The decision brings a measure of closure to the criminal proceedings for the affected customers while many are mindful that true recoveries will be a much longer process.

The court confirmed that the existing orders stay in force, enforcement continues through appropriate channels of the law.

A major police operation is under way in the Central West of New South Wales after three people were shot dead in Lake Cargelligo with a fourth man taken to hospital and the alleged gunman still at large.

Police said the violence unfolded across multiple locations on Thursday afternoon. Officers first responded to reports of shots fired into a vehicle where a man and a woman were found dead at the scene.

A short time later, police were called to Walker Street where another man and woman were found with gunshot wounds. The woman later died while the man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Western Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland said police had identified an offender and were working to locate him.

Residents were told to stay indoors as officers expanded the search and lifted the police presence across the town. Police also sent a geotargeted emergency text message covering the area and warn people to avoid the streets while the operation continued.

The public was asked to help investigators build a clearer picture of the suspect’s movements with NSW Police appealing for dashcam footage, mobile phone video, CCTV and other material from around Lake Cargelligo.

Police urged anyone with information to contact local officers or Crime Stoppers.

The tragedy has jolted a tight knit community with official figures putting Lake Cargelligo’s population at about 1,430 people.

Roy Butler, the state MP for the area, predicted that the news would be felt far beyond the town. Butler stated that one of the victims was a pregnant woman in remarks made on social media and subsequently reiterated in media reports, adding that the situation was still being investigated.

Police have not publicly detailed the suspected offender’s relationship to the victims or what prompted the attack.

Holland described the scenes confronted by first responders as horrendous and said additional resources were being deployed to maintain community safety while the hunt continued including the possible use of public order officers and specialist detectives.

NSW Police said an investigation had begun and more information would be released as it became available.

Three people are dead and a town in the NSW central west is in lockdown after a fatal shooting that has prompted a large scale police operation and encouraged residents to remain inside their homes.

NSW Police stated that officers were called to the scene after reports of shots being fired were made on Monday morning.

Emergency services later confirmed that three people lost their lives at the location where the shooting occurred while the suspect was believed to have fled the scene as a manhunt for the suspect lasted for hours across the area.

One victim was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.

Lockdown operations were carried out shortly after the initial response whereby schools, childcare centers and businesses were closed in the region.

People were advised to stay inside their homes while the police inspected neighboring properties. They also inspected rural areas in search of the suspects.

Meanwhile, roadblocks were put in place along major routes entering and exiting the town. Additional police officers were deployed from neighboring police commands.

The senior police described it as a targeted crime. However, it was emphasized that it was too soon to know details regarding it.

The NSW detectives from the homicide squad had been dispatched to assist with investigations in central west.

In addition, a crime scene was declared as investigations went on. The victims were not named as well as their attacker to enable them to be informed.

However, a number of individuals from the tight knit community have spoken up regarding a sudden and heavy police presence, as a result of the shooting.

Community leaders have asserted that support services are being put into place for individuals as well as first responders once the crisis has been addressed.

Emergency protocols were put into place at the local hospital to deal with the patient as well as staff members dealing with the crisis.

NSW police also urged people to come forward if they had any information such as CCTV and dashcam footage regarding the incidents in the specific areas.

There were also warnings regarding the suspect, stating that police believed the suspect to be armed and dangerous and people were advised not to approach anyone who matched the police description.

The incident rate of gun crime in regional NSW is low with a highly regulated approach to gun owners in this area.

New South Wales indeed boasts some of the toughest gun laws in the nation introduced in 1996 after the Port Arthur tragedy.

The police did not reveal what kind of weapon had been employed and how this had been done citing this as part of their investigations.

With the lockdown extending into the afternoon authorities gradually began to ease restrictions outside the area of concern while maintaining a strong presence near the primary search area.

Police said the town will continue under alert status until the fugitive is located and there is no ongoing risk to the general public.

Further information on the matter is expected to be released by the police when it is confirmed.

The authorities have directed the closing of the northern beaches of Sydney following a spate of shark attacks because sharks continue to pose a risk in the area.

Some beaches along Sydney’s northern coast will remain shut down following an extension of precautionary arrangements due to shark attacks that injured swimmers along those shores.

Authorities took this step after consultations with Surf Life Saving NSW, local council representatives and state bodies in charge of maritime safety.

It has been reported that the situation is highly unpredictable with shark activity still being intermittently detected offshore.

The warmer waters the movement of bait fish and weather systems have been attributed to the situation though authorities indicated that shark patterns are highly unpredictable.

NSW Police and Surf Life Savers have maintained a strong beach presence in the impacted areas.

Drone surveillance and helicopter surveillance have been conducted to sweep the waters close to shore and the surveillance of smart drum lines and listening stations is ongoing to detect the presence of tagged sharks in the region.

Local councils said the decision to keep beaches closed was taken as a precaution given the notorious reputation of the northern beaches during summer.

Some residents have questioned the length of the closures but surf lifesaving officials said the priority must remain public safety.

The state government said it was working with scientists and marine experts to understand the recent spate of shark activity.

Scientists say white sharks a protected species under Australian law are known to move closer to shore during specific seasons as they follow prey.

The authorities equally made efforts to highlight that animals are part of the marine ecosystem and that encounters remain rare compared to the number of people who use the ocean every year.

Locals are also raising concern over the psychological impact that the attack is having on residents and families who regularly use the ocean.

Counseling services for affected residents are however available. Investigation processes are underway.

Official sources again reinforced the following essential safety guidelines for anyone venturing into the coastal zone swimming at patrolled beaches only when they reopen avoiding the water during dawn and dusk times and staying away from fish shoals.

Members of the public are also asked to report shark sightings to lifeguards.

There is no set time frame for when these closed beaches are set to reopen.

“The closures are planned to remain in place until there is a period with no sightings or detections of any of these species with advice from surf lifesavers and marine biologists,” said authorities.

A man from Sydney has been charged in relation to allegations of multimillion dollar fraud against the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Cases such as this highlight concerns about fraud being committed against this taxpayer funded system.

Police claim that the man was using a number of businesses that provide support for people with a disability to lodge false claims for the NDIS for a prolonged period of time.

He was arrested in Sydney for a number of offences linked to fraud and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Allegations include charging for services that were never delivered exaggerated billing and the misuse of participant information without authority, according to the allegations by the investigators.

This was revealed in a joint investigation that analyzed various financial transactions, business registrations and NDIS payment information as reported by authorities.

The man is scheduled to appear before the court in Sydney and according to the police there are possibilities of more charges and arrests. There is no plea as yet.

The situation comes at a time when the government is stepping up campaigns to reduce fraud in the NDIS set to provide services to over 600,000 Australians at an estimated cost of tens of billions of dollars to the Commonwealth every year.

Though very few of them engage in fraudulent activities it has been estimated that the complexity of the NDIS program makes it vulnerable to fraud.

The sustainability of the NDIS is a major focus for the federal government with reforms underway to improve registration of providers, compliance and data matching between agencies.

Then came allegations of fraud that put further pressure on the government to ensure its reform is working to contain costs that are growing faster than projected.

Officials state that strict legal action has become imperative in ensuring that the intention to save public money does not affect confidence for all players participating in the system.

Fraud might affect the market by reducing the cost of care for disabled individuals.

Cases of fraud against the scheme from the past have been used by the opposition to criticize the government’s control of the scheme.

While disability groups have warned of policies that may inadvertently hinder the scheme’s participation and increase bureaucracy.

They urge policies focusing on the offenders without discouraging the smaller providers.

For those in the disability sector the recent fines serve as an indication of ever tightening compliance obligations.

There is an appeal to keep records in order and to be able to substantiate any allegations of improper conduct.

The police said that investigations into NDIS related fraud are ongoing and encouraged anyone who has information to come forward.

The case that has been charged against the man in Sydney will be dealt with in court where the prosecution will have the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

After being bitten by a shark while surfing at North Steyne Beach in Manly, a man who is thought to be in his 20s is fighting for his life in the hospital.

This is the most recent of several shark incidents that have occurred throughout Sydney which leading to widespread beach closures.

According to NSW Police, reports of a surfer being bitten prompted the despatch of emergency personnel to North Steyne at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Monday, January 19.

Before paramedics could arrive, onlookers pulled the man out of the water and started administering first aid. According to police, he was admitted to Royal North Shore Hospital in critical condition after receiving treatment for severe leg injuries.

The incident was the third shark related event in Sydney in just over 24 hours, following a serious attack in the city’s east on Sunday and a near miss on the Northern Beaches earlier on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, an 11 year old boy was uninjured after a shark took a chunk from his surfboard at Dee Why Beach with authorities saying photo analysis suggested it was likely a bull shark.

The bite happened late morning near Dee Why Point, with surf lifesavers helping the boy and shark protocols triggered at the beach.

On Sunday afternoon, emergency services were called to the Hermitage Foreshore Walk area near Shark Beach at Vaucluse after a 12 year old boy was attacked while jumping into the water with friends.

Police said his friends pulled him from the surf and water police applied tourniquets before he was taken to Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick where he remained in intensive care with critical injuries.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said its scientists could not definitively confirm the species based on photos of the injuries but believed a bull shark was likely responsible based on the nature of the injuries and environmental conditions at the site.

Local MP Kellie Sloane said beachgoers were right to be alarmed and called for expanded drone surveillance while risks to swimmers and surfers were assessed.

A woman has died after a tree branch fell onto her car on Macquarie Pass, south of Wollongong, as heavy rain and damaging winds battered the New South Wales coast and kept emergency crews busy across the state.

Police said the crash happened on Saturday afternoon on the Illawarra Highway near Clover Hill Road. Emergency services were called just before 4pm after the branch came down onto the roadway and hit a passing vehicle and the female driver died at the scene.

A man in the front seat suffered minor injuries and two passengers in the back were not physically injured. The road was expected to remain closed for several hours while police investigated and prepared a report for the coroner.

The fatality came as severe weather warnings remained in place for large stretches of the coast, with intense downpours causing flash flooding in parts of Sydney and rough seas forcing beach closures.

The NSW State Emergency Service said more than 700 volunteers were deployed as the agency worked through hundreds of requests for help including fallen trees, leaking roofs and flooded roads.

Superintendent Matt Kirby said crews were responding to nearly 900 incidents and urged people to take the warnings seriously.

Authorities said there had been four rescues across NSW in the past 24 hours including incidents involving vehicles surrounded by floodwater.

On Sydney’s Northern Beaches areas including Mona Vale and Palm Beach were hit by flash flooding with water running across roads and into low lying car parks.

Heavy rain also soaked the state’s far south coast where close to 200mm was recorded in Moruya over the past 48 hours that prompting dozens of callouts.

Further north, thunderstorms, strong winds and hail were forecast to continue around the Central Coast and Mid North Coast with rain totals of up to 120mm possible in the next day.

The weather system also disrupted travel and weekend plans. Sydney Airport experienced delays and councils and surf lifesavers moved to shut down stretches of coastline as conditions deteriorated.

Intense storms are sweeping through New South Wales causing destruction and prompting warnings with millions of people in the region dealing with dangerous weather that is far from finished.

The emergency services have confirmed that the wild weather has turned dangerous with the loss of life reported as a result of the intense rainfall, strong winds and flooding that have affected large areas of the state.

Power blackouts, road closures and property damage have been reported from the coast to country towns.

The floods caused by the unstable weather patterns that moved slowly over the state brought high rainfall to the already full waterways.

Water levels in the rivers and creeks swelled catching several people including drivers unaware.

Rescue missions were carried out by the State Emergency Service over night with many involving people stuck in cars and even the fast flowing floodwaters.

In the area around Sydney, wind gusts knocked trees and power cables to the ground leaving tens of thousands of homes without electricity.

Transportation systems were brought to a standstill with the suspension of train services on various railway lines and the closure of main roads due to floods and debris.

Local councils called on people to avoid travel and to stay away from fallen cables and roads.

Regional areas were also badly affected. Regions on the northern coast experienced flooding while regions within the central west experienced high intensity rains within a short period.

Farm owners experienced damage to their fencing and crops which continues to take a toll on a farming industry already faced with erratic weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported that the system was still active and that heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms were possible over a wide area of the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology also reported that the slow moving nature of the weather system was resulting in a flooding risk in low lying areas.

The magnitude of the effect not only brings to light the increasing threat of extreme weather events but severe weather events also tend to be costly.

Economists have indicated that the cost of recovering from severe weather events such as storms and flooding is in the order of billions of dollars.

At the moment, clean up operations are only just beginning in some regions where water levels have dropped. Residents are in line to go without power for several days.

The insurance industry recorded an escalation in claims while local authorities surveyed the extent of road, bridge and public utility damage.

The officials said the conditions could change very quickly and it is important for people to get updates from authorized sources.

As the storm system continues moving across the state, millions of people remain on edge and ready for whatever type of weather comes their way.

The police urged those planning to hold demonstrations this weekend to engage with them despite their official prohibition of any sort of demonstration.

The police cited this as a means of ensuring safety for the people.

This is despite state administrations and police commissioners maintaining emergency powers that ban mass gatherings in central business district areas due to concerns about safety, traffic and pressure on emergency services.

The groups have shown intentions to convene, presenting prospects for arrest and clashes.

Senior police officials clarified that the ban would remain in force but added that their main concern was public safety rather than a possible clash.

Police urged would be protesters to heed commands coming from the ground and refrain from taking up a rallying point in flash mobs.

The authorities have said that alternatives have been offered to the organizers in some events that include route modifications and scaling down gatherings and/or postponing them but have yet to be accepted in all instances.

The police have indicated that arrest may be an option in case of unsanctioned marches.

The imposed ban has reignited a controversy concerning a balance between public order and the freedom of assembly.

Civil liberties defenders have found that blanket restrictions could lead to criminalization of peaceful assembly.

Police authorities have responded by claiming that the measures are only of a temporary nature.

According to legal scholars, this is usually because banning protests is exercised through state public order or emergency laws that grant policing discretion to limit protests wherever there is a serious risk to safety and essential services.

Jurisprudence on this matter has tended to facilitate this discretion if exercised fairly.

Organisers have dismissed concerns about an unusual risk of violence being posed by the protests, insisting that they are a peaceful organization that does not warrant a ban.

Many have urged fans to support them by attending despite the ban being in place.

Police warned that stance heightened the prospect of enforcement action.

Officers also highlighted some individuals who attend could face penalties under state law, which include fines and possible charges if directions are declined or if conduct escalates.

This warning comes in the wake of intense political sensitivity over protest policing after high profile demonstrations during the last few months.

Governments have defended police independence while backing their decisions on operations. Opposition figures have urged restraint and clearer communication to avoid unnecessary escalation.

Police said that extra officers would be deployed throughout the weekend with a visible presence in city centres and transport hubs.

Authorities describe the situation as one which will be closely monitored, commenting that over the weekend review of the use of the bans will be done and whether changes in how protests are managed in the future are necessary.

A man embroiled in a bomb scare at Bondi has apologised after the incident sparked a major police response forced evacuations and disrupted one of Sydney’s busiest coastal precincts.

Police said that officers were called after concerns were raised about a suspicious item linked to the man prompting cordons and a safety operation while specialist units assessed the risk.

The scare unfolded in the heavily trafficked area, popular with locals, tourists and businesses amplifying public anxiety and causing delays across the nearby streets and public transport.

The man later apologized via police for the disruption and alarm caused.

Authorities said checks had confirmed there was no explosive device and no ongoing threat to the public once checks were completed and the incident was resolved without injury.

There has been no allegation by NSW Police that the man intended to harm anyone and no suggestion of any link to terrorism.

Officers at the scene said the response was precautionary, in line with standard procedure when reports raise the prospect of explosives or other dangerous items being present in crowded locations.

The apology has come as police continued efforts to establish what happened leading to the engagement of the entire emergency response system.

According to police, they were examining the circumstances that led to the first call and whether any crimes had been committed including issues of public order or hoax.

No charges have been placed at the time of writing.

The Bondi area was partly shut down during the operation with businesses asked to temporarily close and members of the public moved to a safe distance.

The lockdown according to traders, dampened lunchtime business which is already being felt in the hospitality and retail sector related to increased operational costs.

The emergency agencies have defended the magnitude of their response by stating that all decisions made are centered on public safety as the top priority.

In areas with high populations, the police have no alternative but to move with celerity and prudence despite the danger being baseless in the end.

The senior officials have continued to say that they cannot under react when there are genuine concerns being raised.

The incident has reopened debate about the consequences of false alarms and misunderstandings in public places especially in the era of heightened security awareness.

While police urge the public to report suspicious behaviour or items, police have also issued warnings that careless acts or poor judgment can come with serious consequences.

Local leaders described the scare as unsettling saluting cooperation among the public and first responders.

They encouraged people to be vigilant while also keeping in mind how their actions may be perceived in busy public spaces.

Bondi has been the target of large scale policing operations in the past and officials say lessons learned from previous incidents have better coordinated police, transport authorities and local councils.

Those arrangements were again tested by the latest scare, as roads reopened and services restored after the all clear was given.

The police said that the matter remained under review and as before, asked anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

Meanwhile, police reassurance continues with officers remaining visible in the area with the resumption of normal activity.

A huge manhunt has been launched by police after a 44 year old man was shot dead inside a house in Western Sydney renewing concerns about gun violence in suburban neighborhoods.

A man is dead in an apparent shooting at a residential property in Western Sydney with homicide detectives working to identify the shooter and establish a motive as investigators comb the area for evidence.

Emergency services were called to the home after reports of gunfire. Paramedics attempted to treat the man but he died at the scene.

Police established a crime scene and door knocked nearby properties as part of their initial inquiries.

NSW Police later confirmed the old man had suffered gunshot wounds and that a targeted attack was one line of inquiry.

As of the latest update, no arrests had been made and investigators have appealed for any witnesses and dash cam footage from surrounding streets.

The police believe that the suspect left the region soon after the shooting took place. There has been no official description of the suspect yet.

This is because the investigation is still at a rudimentary level, special officers were involved overnight to handle the situation.

The shooting has shocked the residents in the quiet suburban pocket many of whom expressed their shock at the event.

There have been periodic outbreaks of shooting incidents in western Sydney in recent years related to organized crime feuds, although Police warn that it is premature to draw conclusions.

Senior police officers reported that the incident was seems to be an isolated incident and that the safety of the wider community was not under any active threat.

Increased police patrols were put in place in the area as a precaution.

The shooting places fresh focus on gun crime and community safety across Sydney’s west, an area home to more than two million people and a key political battleground.

State and federal governments have previously pointed to tough gun laws and dedicated strike forces as evidence of progress even as high profile shootings continue to occur sporadically.

Criminologists say that, while the Australian rate remains low by international standards targeted shootings can also have an outsized impact on public confidence particularly when private homes rather than public venues are attacked.

For the investigators, the first order of business is piecing together the last movements of both the victim and the suspected gunman.

For them, this means examining the CCTV cameras from homes and businesses in the area, mobile phone records and connections between the victim and criminal groups.

There has been no indication from the police of the suspect’s previous involvement with them.

People who might have been around at the time of the shootings or may have noticed or overheard something suspicious have been asked to come forward.

The police have emphasized that even minute details could be very important at this point of the manhunt.

As the case is still under ongoing investigations more details are expected from the detectives.

A critical incident investigation is under way after tactical officers entered a Springfield home late on Wednesday and a 49 year old man died at the scene.

Police say officers went to a house on Wells Street at about 3.30pm on 7 January to check on the welfare of the occupant after concerns were raised about his wellbeing.

A mental health clinician attended with officers from the Brisbane Water Police District but police say the man became armed with several items and acted in a threatening way.

NSW Police said officers tried a range of options to detain the man including capsicum spray and a Taser before he went back inside the house and a siege developed.

A perimeter was set up and specialist resources were called in including police negotiators and the Tactical Operations Regional Support Unit.

Police allege the situation escalated about 9.25pm when the man ignited an aerosol can and tactical officers entered the premises.

Officers then tried to restrain him but police say he attempted to stab an officer multiple times with a sharp object believed to be a shard of glass.

Officers discharged their firearms and the man was shot. NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene but police say he died there and one police officer was treated for a minor injury.

A critical incident team from State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad is leading the investigation into the circumstances with the matter to be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.

Assistant Commissioner David Waddell told reporters multiple officers fired shots during the confrontation. He said that “Very sad for the family and also very tough for our police.”

The presence of a mental health clinician at the initial call out highlights the growing use of joint response models designed to give police on scene access to specialist assessment and alternative pathways to care.

NSW Health has previously trialled and expanded programs that pair police with mental health clinicians including the PACER model which is intended to provide earlier assessment in the community during crises.

The latest death is also likely to sharpen an ongoing policy debate about who should be the default first responder when someone is in acute psychological distress.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry into mental health care has previously urged the state to move toward more health led crisis responses and improve how police are trained and supported for mental health incidents, amid rising demand for assistance.

NSW Police has also acknowledged in an internal review that pressure on frontline officers has increased as police are called more often to incidents involving emotional distress and mental health crises and recommended closer work with health agencies on models of response.

If you or someone you know needs urgent help, the NSW Mental Health Line is available 24 hours a day on 1800 011 511 and Lifeline can be contacted on 13 11 14.

Sydney’s emergency protest restrictions will remain in place for another fortnight after NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon extended a Public Assembly Restriction Declaration covering three metropolitan policing areas.

The extension means public assemblies in the South West Metropolitan, North West Metropolitan and Central Metropolitan policing areas cannot be formally authorised under the Summary Offences Act 1988, with Form 1 applications not accepted during the period.

NSW Police said any existing authorisations are taken to be revoked, leaving people who take part in an assembly without the usual legal protections relating to obstructing traffic or pedestrians.

Commissioner Lanyon said the decision was made in light of the ongoing community safety impacts of further protests in the wake of the Bondi attack, which police said was declared a terrorist incident at the time.

Mal Lanyon, NSW Police Commissioner, said in a statement that “The extension declaration recognises that further protest activity at this time is likely to heighten tension, generate division in the community and present a risk to community safety.”

Under the framework, gatherings are still permitted but police can issue move on directions where people are causing obstructions, behaving in an intimidatory or harassing manner or where they might cause fear in another person.

Police also have authority to require the removal of face coverings for identification purposes if they suspect offences are being committed.

The restrictions were first activated on Christmas Eve within hours of the legislation passing parliament after the Bondi attack on December 14. The declaration is reviewed in 14 day blocks and can be extended fortnightly for up to three months.

The move has sharpened the political and legal fight around the Minns government’s post Bondi package, which also included changes aimed at hate speech and other public safety measures.

In a December ministerial release announcing the reforms, the government said the changes were designed to restrict the authorisation of public assemblies in designated areas after a terrorist incident to protect the community and allow police to focus on keeping people safe.

Opponents argue the practical effect is to chill protest by stripping away the permit system that gives organisers clarity and reduces the risk of offences such as traffic obstruction.

Timothy Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties has described the impact as a chilling effect on democratic rights.

The extension is also likely to intensify scrutiny ahead of major summer events. Commissioner Lanyon said it was too early to say what the settings would be for planned Invasion Day rallies on January 26 with the current declaration running until January 20.

Activist organisations have flagged a court challenge with Palestine Action Group, Jews Against the Occupation 48 and the First Nations led Blak Caucus saying they intend to file a constitutional challenge in the NSW Supreme Court this week.

The debate has been sharpened by recent rallies that proceeded despite the restrictions including gatherings in Sydney’s CBD linked to overseas events which police and government figures have cited as part of a broader concern about tension and the potential for confrontation.

A major search is continuing off Sydney Northern Beaches after a man died and a teenage boy was reported missing when a boat overturned near Palm Beach on New Year’s Eve.

Emergency services were called to the water off Palm Beach at about 11.35am on Wednesday after reports a vessel had capsized near Barrenjoey Headland, NSW Police said.

Surf Life Saving members pulled a man from the water and NSW Ambulance paramedics treated him at the scene but he died, police said. He has not been formally identified.

A second man made it onto nearby rocks and was rescued by a helicopter before being treated by paramedics, NSW Police said. He was winched to safety and taken to Royal North Shore Hospital in a stable condition.

Police said the search operation is focused on locating a teenage boy who may have been a passenger on the boat.

The multi agency response includes the Police Marine Area Command, PolAir and Marine Rescue NSW alongside Surf Life Saving resources in the area.

Authorities said conditions offshore were difficult as crews worked the coastline and surrounding waters.

Rod McGibbon, president of the NSW Surf Life Saving Northern Beaches told that responders had multiple assets deployed including jet skis but the swell and wind were making the operation challenging.

The incident, on one of Sydney’s busiest summer strips, has again put a spotlight on holiday season pressure for frontline services and the risks around the coast as crowds head to beaches and waterways.

While police have not detailed what caused the vessel to capsize, the response underscores the coordination required when incidents happen close to rocks and headlands where swell and surge can quickly turn a rescue into a high risk operation.

NSW Police said anyone with information should contact Northern Beaches Police or Crime Stoppers.

For more on summer safety measures across Sydney, see our report on the security boost at Bondi Beach.

Thousands of people filled the CBD and the harbour foreshore early on Wednesday, as police and transport authorities anticipated significant challenges to public patience and crowd control during the largest single day event in Sydney history.

Many of the best sites for viewing the fireworks on Sydney Harbour were at capacity well before 10 pm. It was reported that Mrs. Macquaries Point, Hickson Road Reserve and Barangaroo Reserve filled up the fastest.

Almost immediately afterward, crowds were forced to make alternate plans to view Sydney Harbour’s New Year Fireworks from a distance due to road closures.

Many of the other top locations for viewing from the water are closed during peak hours to ensure that everyone who wants to access those sites has a chance to do so.

The official website for Sydney New Years Eve has been posting live capacity updates throughout Wednesday to inform them of when sites will close.

The celebrations for New Years Eve this year have been emphasized as a result of additional police presence and the call for community unity that followed the Bondi incident that occurred on December 1st.

Additionally, police state that New Years Eve will be the largest operation conducted by the NSW Police Service , and that more than 2500 police officers will be deployed to the streets of Sydney.

The Transport settings have been tightened again, as authorities continue to encourage people to leave their cars at home, due to multiple road closures, and the expansion of pedestrian zones.

Police NSW have indicated that there will be a number of road closures and parking restrictions all day. Josh Murray, Secretary for Transport NSW, says that this will be the largest transport operation of the year.

In the same statement, he said that there will be additional transport services commencing in the afternoon and the opening of the Barangaroo Metro station for the first time after midnight.

To facilitate the transportation of people to and from the Inner Harbour area, by providing Metro services every 4 minutes between 3pm and 2am on New Years Day.

Transport for NSW has warned that public transport will not be free on New Years Eve and that you will need an Opal card or use contactless payment methods.

It is important will be vital to ensure that you top up your Opal account before arriving in the city to avoid long queues at vending machines or retailers as more people travel in at peak times.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Sydney will be under cloudy skies with a low chance of rain, wind from the south east and surf conditions considered dangerous alongside coastal activities.

As crowds converge on to the harbour, authorities are reiterating their message plan ahead, expect checkpoints and crowding, and leave when a location reaches maximum capacity.

As the city time to pause in solidarity in remembrances of the Bondi incident approaches. It will be essential to receive live updates and direction from those working on the ground as the city balances its celebrations with necessary precautions.

A 19 year old male has been arrested after authorities have accused him of tossing an explosive device into a patch of arid vegetation causing fast moving fires to occur within the Perth Hills.

This resulted in the destruction of homes and electricity to over 2000 residents as the New Year began in 2026.

The fire began around 12:20 AM Thursday in an undeveloped area located off Temby Avenue in Kalamunda this location was determined through investigative efforts by Strike Force Vulcan.

The junior was charged with one count of failing his duty by unlawfully throwing a firecracker amid dry vegetation and he is scheduled for appearance in Perth Magistrates Court.

According to WA Police, the wildfire gained rapid momentum, intensifying to the level of requiring multiple Department of Fire and Emergency Services teams on site.

The authorities issued warnings regarding the potential for a small ignition source to create an emergency site within minutes.

For those living in the eastern suburbs of Perth, the threat posed by the fire led to emergency warnings being issued overnight with many residents feeling the need to evacuate or shelter due to changing conditions.

Fire services continued to work through difficult terrain and extreme heat, while at this point all warnings for the emergency had eventually downgraded.

Early on Thursday morning police stated that the bushfire had burnt approximately 25 hectares of native bushland and continued to spread.

This figure was later amended to reflect that the bushfire had grown to cover 1499 hectares.

Many residents had to wait overnight at evacuation points for any updates and directions regarding roadblocks.

Police further reported that over 2000 properties within the area were left without power, reports also discussed power outages affecting properties and businesses.

Emergency services have reminded residents that, while the alert for fire danger has reached its peak for this time of year.

The fire continues to be a threat for all of us. Even after the main fire has been contained, hazards exist in the form of smoke, falling trees and damaged power infrastructure.

According to emergency management agencies, a change in the wind direction or flaring in the area can drastically increase the risk of fire.

The individual charged is now before the court while fire services continue mop up and containment operations and residents continue to check the official warnings for new updates in their area.

Following a series of incidents on NSW waters on New Year Day, authorities advised people to avoid the ocean due to dangerous conditions, and three people have died and two others are still missing.

Two women and a man were among the dead, and separate searches are still underway for a teenage boy who was involved in a boat capsize and a missing swimmer off the eastern suburbs of Sydney.

The latest fatality occurred at Maroubra in Sydney’s east in the early hours of Thursday, after emergency services were called about 4 AM to reports a person had been swept into the ocean.

Police were told a 25 year old woman was struck by a wave and knocked into a tidal rock pool before being carried further out by the swell.

She was located about an hour later and could not be revived.

Less than two hours later, another alarm was raised at Coogee Beach, which is not far from Little Bay, after a swimmer thought to be in his 20s got into trouble in the water around 6 AM.

Two other men who were with him were rescued and a police officer entered the surf to help as lifesavers and other emergency crews began to search for the missing man and he had not been found.

Further north a 45 year old woman died at Dunbogan Beach on the Mid North Coast on Thursday afternoon. She was pulled from the water by members of the public, who began CPR but she was declared dead at the scene.

Surf warnings lead to beach closures

These came as the large swells and strong surf were pushing authorities to shut down the beaches and advise people to stay away from the coastline.

Among the Randwick Lifeguard updates were the closures of several beaches in the Eastern Suburbs of Maroubra and Malabar due to extremely dangerous conditions.

Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce explained that the last week had been extremely hectic for lifesavers with dozens of incidents since Christmas Day alone.

In a statement reported by AAP, Pearce added, “Already we have witnessed a level of tragedy that will affect numerous families and first responders.”

However, the missing swimmer is not the only person who remains unaccounted for. Another search operation happened off the coast of Palm Beach.

One person was retrieved from the water by surf lifesavers who were with him for some time before he passed away.

Still missing is the 14 year old boy who could have been with the victims in the boat, however, one man managed to make his way to the rocks on the coast and was flown to the hospital in a stable condition.

The emergency services have also appealed to beachgoers and boats to abide by the closure.

Warning notices and that conditions remain dangerous along the coastline throughout the New Year holiday period.

Police and fire investigators are sifting through the remains of a Spring Farm home used for disability support after a fast moving blaze killed a man and left two other people with minor injuries.

Emergency services were called to Corder Drive just after 12.25am on Saturday after reports a house was on fire, NSW Police said.

Officers arrived to find the building well alight with Fire and Rescue NSW crews later extinguishing the flames. The home was destroyed and a body was found inside.

The man who died has not been formally identified but he was believed to be in his 60s and that the property operated as a disability support home where two people with disability were being cared for.

Police said two other occupants managed to get out and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Adam Dewberry told the ABC the man’s body was found at the rear of the house and described the blaze as extremely intense with significant roof collapse. He said crews deployed 22 firefighters and six trucks.

Fire and Rescue NSW urges all residents to have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their home as required under NSW law.

Investigators were using drone footage and on ground assessments to map the site and identify where the fire began with Dewberry saying the process involves peeling back debris to locate the lowest areas of burning. Police have established a crime scene and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Scrutiny on safety in supported accommodation

The fatal fire is likely to sharpen focus on how emergency planning and building safety is managed in supported living settings, where residents may need extra assistance to evacuate quickly.

The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requires registered providers to notify it about reportable incidents including incidents connected to the supports and services they deliver and sets out expectations for incident management systems.

The incident sits at the intersection of disability care and basic household safety including whether homes have fit for purpose alarms, clear evacuation procedures and adequate overnight staffing for residents with mobility or cognitive impairment.

NSW Police urged anyone with information about the Spring Farm fire to contact Crime Stoppers as the investigation continues.

Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a woman whose body was found inside a home in the NSW Southern Tablelands on Saturday morning.

Police were called to a house on Joshua Street, in Goulburn, about 7 AM after receiving a concern for welfare. Officers forced entry into the property and located the woman body inside.

The woman has not been formally identified by police, but they believe she was aged in her 40s.

Detectives from the Hume Police District have begun inquiring into the death at the scene, while they have also contacted the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad, which has joined.

A crime scene was set up around the house, while a part of the street was cordoned off. This was in consideration of the forensic analysis processes the investigators were undertaking.

The police and specialist officers could be observed investigating the house exterior and looking for fingerprints on its windows as part of investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the woman and anyone who might have made contact with it.

The residents reported the presence of the police as the officers proceeded from the address to neighboring houses. The forensic team was seen documenting the scene.

The involvement of the Homicide Squad does not necessarily pre suppose a murder charge, but it usually means police regard the circumstances as serious enough to warrant specialists oversight, especially where the cause of death is unclear or investigators are working to rule out foul play.

Police have not released further details about the woman injuries nor when she was last seen alive. No arrests have been announced.

The operation is being led by detectives from the Hume Police District, who are receiving assistance from specialist homicide investigators.

The officers will continue knocking on doors, reviewing any available CCTV in the area, tracking the woman movements in the hours and days before her death.

The police are asking for anyone with information or footage of events on Joshua Street to contact Crime Stoppers if they witnessed anything unusual in that region.

Investigations are ongoing.

A 29 year old man has been taken to hospital after being found tied up and badly injured inside the boot of a car in Sydney’s south west prompting a major investigation by Cumberland detectives.

NSW Police said emergency services were called to a car park on Woodville Road at Villawood about 6.50am on Sunday after reports of a concern for welfare. Officers arriving at the scene found the man restrained inside the back of a Toyota sedan.

Paramedics treated him at the scene for stab wounds, burns and assault injuries to his legs and head before he was taken to hospital in a stable condition.

Police also attended an unrelated matter at the same location after a mother accidentally locked her child in a car.

A crime scene has been established and detectives have begun inquiries into what police describe as a suspected kidnapping. Investigators believe the man was taken from Military Road at Guildford between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday.

The circumstances of the man’s abduction and how he came to be left in Villawood remain unclear and police have not announced any arrests or charges.

Several media outlets reported the vehicle involved had an Uber sticker on its rear window and raising questions about whether the car was being used as a rideshare at the time or whether the decal was unrelated to the attack.

NSW Police have described the vehicle only as a Toyota sedan and have not confirmed any connection to Uber or any other operator.

The incident is likely to sharpen attention on safety settings across the point to point transport sector, which covers taxis and booked hire vehicles such as rideshare services in NSW.

The state’s independent Point to Point Transport Commissioner regulates the industry including safety and compliance obligations for drivers and operators.

Under NSW guidance, passengers using a hire vehicle are advised to secure a booking before getting in, because the booking provides the details needed to identify the vehicle and driver.

The case lands in a broader environment where platform work, personal safety and enforcement capacity intersect.

Rideshare services have become a staple for late night travel and airport runs and have also become a focus for regulators working to balance convenience with public confidence, particularly after high profile violent incidents involving passenger services.

NSW Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity around Woodville Road in Villawood on Sunday morning or Military Road in Guildford on Saturday afternoon and to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Naveed Akram, the accused gunman charged over the Bondi Beach mass shooting, has been transferred from a Sydney prison hospital to the state’s highest security jail, a move the NSW government says is reserved for inmates assessed as posing the greatest risk.

The ABC reported Akram was moved on Monday from the prison hospital at Long Bay where he had been held for about a fortnight after being shot by police.

He faces 59 charges including 15 counts of murder and an allegation of committing a terrorist act, over the December 14 attack at Bondi Beach. The other alleged gunman, Akram’s father Sajid Akram was shot dead by police.

A NSW government spokesperson said the High Risk Management Correctional Centre at Goulburn, commonly referred to as Supermax and the most secure prison in the state and is equipped to hold people who present the highest levels of risk.

The spokesperson said community safety remained the government’s top priority and Corrective Services took its obligations in managing serious offenders incredibly seriously.

While authorities rarely spell out the operational reasons for an individual transfer, Corrective Services NSW sets out the categories of inmates the Goulburn facility is designed to hold.

On its public description of the centre, Corrective Services says the High Risk Management Correctional Centre is purpose built for male inmates assessed as an extreme risk to the safety and security of other prisons, a serious escape threat, detained under national security provisions or considered high public profile.

That definition helps explain why a high profile terrorism remand prisoner can end up at Goulburn even before a trial has been finalised.

The alleged Bondi Beach offender is facing charges at the most serious end of the spectrum with a prosecution now being run by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions after a referral from the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

The CDPP has confirmed the charges include one count of committing a terrorist act under Commonwealth law and 15 murder counts under NSW law alongside other alleged offences.

The timing of Monday’s move also reflects how custody arrangements often evolve as a prisoner’s condition and risk profile changes.

Akram had been held at Long Bay’s prison hospital after leaving acute medical care and was transferred once he could be managed in a standard correctional setting under tighter security controls.

Transfers between prisons are not ad hoc. Corrective Services placement policy describes prisoner placement and transfer decisions as an exercise of statutory power with transfers made under section 23 of the Crimes (Administration of Sentences) Act and subject to mandatory factors set out in regulation.

The same policy notes placement decisions can only be made by the commissioner or an authorised delegate underlining that moves of high profile inmates are handled at senior levels rather than at the discretion of an individual jail.

The Goulburn Supermax system also sits at the centre of a long running public policy argument about how to manage the small cohort of inmates considered too dangerous, disruptive or sensitive to be housed in mainstream prison units.

Corrective Services noted that supermax regimes rely on extreme security and control and can raise questions about mental health, human rights and whether rehabilitation pathways remain possible for the highest risk prisoners.

For now, Akram remains on remand as the case progresses through the courts. The CDPP says the brief of evidence is due by April 8 and the matter is next listed in mid February for a review of suppression orders.

A dramatic three day period of intense heat is expected to envelop regions of southern and south east Australia from mid week, with predictions that conditions will escalate between Wednesday and Friday.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the hottest air, which caused extreme heat in Western Australia, will move to South Australia and the state of Victoria on Wednesday, with Adelaide and Melbourne predicted to reach 41 degrees.

Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist for Australia Bureau of Meteorology, told, “Extreme heatwave conditions are going to be found over a vast area of NSW and Northern Victoria, effectively everywhere in between Melbourne and Sydney, and well inland.”

Inland areas along the Murray River can also expect temperatures in the mid 40s, with the report suggesting there are plans for temperatures to reach 44°C in Mildura and Swan Hill on Wednesday.

Port Pirie is expected to rise from 40°C on Tuesday to 45°C on Wednesday, this in South Australia, as reported.

Further west, some parts of Eastern South Australia and Northwest Victoria may experience a high temperature of 46°C to 47°C on Thursday, when the heaviest heat will settle in the middle region.

Hot nights have also been predicted to prevail during the hottest period. This will reduce relief at night when temperatures will remain high. This can be harmful for communities lacking cooling facilities.

The heatwave warning has been issued for a range of areas, including Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania, and the ACT.

The message conveyed by the bureau remains a familiar and urgent call. The warning specifically targets the aged, children, and the sick. Narramore has advised, “Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay inside.”

Emergency services are also ready for an increase in the risk of bushfires. In the state of Victoria, a total fire ban has been announced by the Country Fire Authority for the north of the state.

This is due to the risk of uncontrolled outbreaks of new fires because of very hot and dry conditions and strong wind.

This makes it difficult for people to carry on their daily business activities as a consequence of heat and restrictions on burning.

Train operators are factoring the implications of heat into planning. Line services will operate to a different timetable in affected areas on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Warning customers of the possibility of trains slowed significantly on the track due to expansion in hot weather and services replaced with air conditioned coaches.

Along the coastal areas, forecasters expect that sea breezes might ease conditions for some of the suburbs that are close to the sea. While in general, there seems to be widespread warmth in the inland areas.

The developing weather patterns are being fueled by a trough and a block high in the Tasmanian Sea, which is resulting in hot air being directed in the southeastern areas.

The relief is not expected to come in equally. A cooler change is expected to sweep into South Australia on Friday, then move further into New South Wales as the heat is shifted further inland.

But many regions can expect no relief until Saturday, according to meteorologists.

Sydney will welcome 2026 under a noticeably heavier police presence with some officers carrying long arm firearms as the NSW Government argues the state’s security settings have entered a new phase after the Bondi Beach terror attack.

NSW Police will deploy more than 2,500 officers across the metropolitan area in uniform and plain clothes for what it describes as the largest policing operation of the year.

Specialist resources will include the Public Order and Riot Squad, PolAir, dog and mounted units, marine police and traffic and transport commands.

Premier Chris Minns has acknowledged the sight of bigger firearms on city streets will be confronting for some but said the shift reflected fundamental changes after Bondi where 15 people were killed on 14 December.

Minns said security measures had changed in overseas cities and they are going to have to change here.

In anticipation of the crowds that are anticipated to swarm Sydney’s foreshore and CBD vantage points for the 9 p.m. and midnight fireworks, police and the government have presented the stance as both deterrence and assurance.

Minns said the deployment was a clear and deliberate message that safety was the top priority adding to that You can expect more guns for the police and less guns for members of the community.

NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stressed the increase did not reflect intelligence of a specific imminent threat saying the visibility was aimed at public confidence.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley urged revellers to follow directions warning officers would respond to aggressive or reckless behaviour in crowded precincts and transport hubs.

NSW Police has also emphasised the broader operation covers events across the state not just Sydney Harbour.

The security posture is landing alongside a major transport task with authorities warning people to plan ahead for road closures and station changes as extra services run to move crowds.

Transport officials have pointed to hundreds more bus, train and light rail services than usual with demand expected to be sharply above a normal peak weekday.

New Year’s Eve programming will also include tributes linked to the Bondi attack. A minute’s silence is scheduled for 11pm and the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be lit with symbols including a menorah and dove with public messaging encouraging people to switch on phone torches in solidarity.

Minns has also flagged discussions with the Commonwealth about extra support after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese left open the possibility of federal assistance including troops to guard Jewish sites while emphasising law and order remains a state responsibility.