Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenage girl missing from the Hunter region.
Starleigh Bates, aged 14, was last seen about 9am on Cary Street, Toronto on Thursday 26 June 2025.
When Starleigh could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District were contacted today (Monday 30 June 2025) and commenced inquiries to locate her.
Police and family hold concerns for Starleigh’s welfare due to her age.
Starleigh is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 155cm tall, of medium build, with red/brown hair. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black tracksuit pants.
Starleigh is known to frequent Toronto, Wallsend, Woodbury, Stockton and Metford areas.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sold in Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally
Coles is recalling Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg, sold between 01/05/2025 and 30/06/2025 at Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally with a Best Before date of 05/02/2027, due to aflatoxin contamination.
A jar of peanut butterAI-generated content may be incorrect.A jar of peanut butterAI-generated content may be incorrect.
Best before: 05/02/2027
Sold in Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally
Coles is recalling Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg, sold between 01/05/2025 and 30/06/2025 at Coles supermarkets and Coles Online nationally with a Best Before date of 05/02/2027, due to aflatoxin contamination.
The product is:
Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg Best Before date: 05/02/2027 Dates sold: Between 01/05/2025 and 30/06/2025.
Food products containing aflatoxin may cause illness if consumed. Any customers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
Customers can return the product to any Coles supermarket for a full refund. Coles Online customers can receive a full refund or credit by contacting Coles Online Customer Care on 1800 455 400.
A man has been charged after allegedly performing burnouts which hit and killed a man in the Hunter Valley this week.
Emergency services were called to a fire trail off Haul Road, Stockrington, about 22km southeast of Kurri Kurri, about midnight on Sunday (29 June 2025), following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District arrived and were told a vehicle was allegedly performing a burnout when it hit three onlookers. The car was then driven from the scene.
A 53-year-old man suffered critical head injuries and died a short time later.
Police were told two women were also hit by the car, whoever, left the scene before emergency services arrived.
About 2.40am, the alleged vehicle involved was found burnt-out on McFarlanes Road, Chisolm. It was seized for forensic examination.
Police established a crime scene at both locations and detectives commenced an investigation into the incidents.
Following extensive inquiries, about 5.30pm yesterday, a 22-year-old man was arrested at Maitland Police station where he was charged with the following offences,
Police are searching for a driver after a car performing burnouts allegedly hit and killed a man in the Hunter Valley overnight.
Emergency services were called to a fire trail off Haul Road, Stockrington 22km southeast of Kurri Kurri, about midnight (Sunday 29 June 2025), following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District arrived and were told a modified Ford Fairmont sedan was performing a burnout when it hit three people. The car was then driven from the scene.
A 53-year-old man suffered critical head injuries and died a short time later.
Two women – who police have been told were also hit by the car – also left the scene before emergency services arrived.
The vehicle alleged to be involved was found burnt-out on McFarlanes Road, Chisolm, about 2.40am.
It has been seized and will undergo forensic examination.
Police have established a crime scene at both locations and detectives have commenced an investigation into the incident.
As inquiries continue, detectives are hoping to speak to the driver of the Ford or anyone else who witnessed the incident, or who may have mobile phone or dashcam vision relevant to the investigation.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
oday marks Today marks a major milestone of the Australian Government’s implementation of the Surface Fleet Review with the commissioning of HMAS Arafura into the Royal Australian Navy fleet.
HMAS Arafura is the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) of the Navy’s surface fleet.
HMAS Arafura will enter into the fleet at a commissioning ceremony in Western Australia today.
Navy’s OPVs will help patrol and secure Australia’s maritime border alongside the evolved Cape class patrol boats. They will also play a role in humanitarian and disaster relief, enhance regional engagement and support other Navy missions.
These new capabilities have a greater range of 4,000 nautical miles, and can perform roles that previously required numerous vessels. These OPVs will also have improved living quarters and amenities to better support personnel.
The Government’s Independent Analysis into Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet (Surface Fleet Review) reaffirmed the need for the Arafura class OPVs whilst recommending they operate alongside the evolved Cape class patrol boats.
HMAS Arafura was built by German shipbuilder Luerssen Australia at the Osborne Shipyard in South Australia.
The second OPV, NUSHIP Eyre, has been built and is awaiting acceptance by Navy. The remainder of the four ships are under construction at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia.
Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Richard Marles MP:
“The commissioning of HMAS Arafura marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Government’s Surface Fleet Review.
“HMAS Arafura means that the Navy can continue to ensure the safety and security of our maritime borders.
“The commissioning of HMAS Arafura is a turning point, and we will continue to see the Navy introduce new vessels into its fleet.”
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
“The delivery of these offshore patrol vessels is an excellent example of our partnership with defence industry in action.
“The Australian Government has worked collaboratively with Defence and Luerssen Australia to successfully deliver HMAS Arafura, with another ship on the way and four more under construction at Henderson.
“The construction of the remaining four ships is on track, and continues the Australian Government’s investment in a productive, continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry.”
the Minister for Defence Personnel, the Hon Matt Keogh MP:
“HMAS Arafura delivers on our plan for Australian workers to build vessels for the fleet faster than Australia has for decades, to ensure the Navy has what it needs to secure our national interests at sea.
“Arafura also provides improved living quarters and amenities to support our highly skilled naval personnel as they patrol and protect our coastline.”
“My best wishes go to the crew of the Arafura as they take on this new challenge, and may they have fair winds and following seas. My thanks also go to their families, whose support enables our personnel to do what they do each and every day for our nation.”
the Chief of Navy, VADM Mark Hammond, AO, RAN
“A strong Australia relies on a strong Navy, one that is equipped to conduct diplomacy in our region, deter potential adversaries, and defend our national interests when called.
“The Arafura class offshore patrol vessels will perform a number of roles, including regional engagement, patrol duties, and employment of uncrewed systems in a variety of missions.”
The Albanese Government welcomes Export Finance Australia’s credit approved loan facility of up to US$150 million to shipbuilder Austal to help it expand its shipyard in Alabama in the United States.
Austal is an Australian success story, and support from Export Finance Australia will help it to deliver on recently awarded major contracts for the US Navy and US Coast Guard.
The expansion of Austal’s shipyard further deepens defence industrial cooperation with our key ally, the United States, and complements Australia’s investments into the sovereign industrial bases of AUKUS partners.
The finance will help fund the development and construction of a new assembly facility, waterfront improvements and a new ship lift system.
The expansion marks a major milestone for Austal, and it shows the strength of the Australian defence industry, its capabilities and support for our international partners.
Export Finance Australia’s loan facility is subject to completion of finance documentation and satisfaction of conditions precedent.
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell:
“The Albanese Government is backing Australian defence companies to grow and export their world-class capabilities by securing lucrative international contracts.
“This financial support from Export Finance Australia is another example of how the Albanese Government is providing support to Aussie businesses to expand and grow overseas.
“Austal’s expansion shows the strength of Australian businesses to export, invest and support shared Australian-US priorities such as defence.”
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:
“Austal’s investment into its United States shipyard demonstrates its commitment to support the United States’ domestic shipbuilding ambition and will deliver greater security and economic resilience for both Australia and the United States.
“I visited Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama last year and witnessed firsthand its contribution to the submarine industrial base in the United States, including manufacturing components for Virginia class submarines.
“In times of geopolitical uncertainty, closer defence industrial collaboration with our AUKUS partners will deliver major security and economic benefits.”
Australia will provide $386 million to support the vital work of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance from 2026 to 2030, to fight deadly diseases in our region and beyond. This includes a new funding commitment of $300 million.
The Albanese Government recognises global health challenges require sustained commitments.
Gavi is a public-private partnership which has helped vaccinate more than 1.1 billion children globally, saving more than 18.8 million lives.
Australia’s support for Gavi directly benefits Australia’s closest neighbours.
In Asia and the Pacific, Gavi has helped immunise more than 633 million children, saving six million lives.
Gavi has also prevented more than 27,000 cervical cancer deaths by enabling access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.
In addition to the new funding, Gavi will also be able to utilise $86 million previously pledged by Australia for COVID vaccines, through the International Finance Facility for Immunisation.
In a time of heightened global uncertainty, Australia is pleased to partner with Gavi and directly support our closest neighbours.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:
“The Albanese Government is supporting access to new and more effective vaccines and strengthening our region’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks.
“When we invest in a healthier Indo-Pacific, we’re investing in a safer and more secure Australia.”
Minister for International Development, the Hon Dr Anne Aly:
“Australia is steadfast in our commitment to Gavi because we know countries in our region and around the world rely on Gavi’s support.”
“Health security requires collective action, and our new pledge to Gavi will help ensure countries in our region and around the world can access lifesaving vaccines.”
I am pleased to announce the recipients of the Australia-Indonesia Institute’s 2024-25 grants program.
Since 1989, the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) has worked to foster mutual understanding and drive deeper community engagement between Australia and Indonesia.
Australia and Indonesia are the closest of partners and share a long history of close friendship and cooperation.
Championing initiatives that span education and research, business, media, the arts, youth and sport, and community development, the work of the AII demonstrates the breadth of the bilateral relationship between our people, institutions and businesses.
Successful recipients will be listed on GrantConnect and activities include:
a partnership on biofuel development between Australian and Indonesian universities and industry, supporting Indonesia’s transition to net zero;
an exchange between leading Australian and Indonesian creative institutions, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Common Room, culminating in a public event showcasing technology-driven collaboration; and
a futsal diplomacy program to strengthen skills and connections between First Nations and Indonesian players and coaches, supporting the implementation of Australia’s Sports Diplomacy Strategy 2032+.
I look forward to these initiatives further deepening the close friendship and partnership between our people, businesses and governments.
The Greens have called on the Albanese Government to reaffirm their commitment to the global minimum tax agreement and use their position in the G20 to advocate for US companies to remain subject to the tax.
“Trump is trying to turn the US into a tax haven for his corporate mates, and we shouldn’t dance to his tune,” Greens Economic Justice spokesperson Senator Nick McKim said.
“Labor needs to hold the line. One in three big corporations already pays zero tax in Australia. That situation cannot be allowed to become even worse.”
Last term, the Greens supported laws to implement part of the global minimum tax, aimed at stopping corporate giants from shifting profits offshore to dodge tax.
“American companies no longer being subject to global minimum tax laws could have serious budget consequences for Australia.”
“Labor must use their position at the G20 to call out this move by the US and defend the principle that big corporations should pay tax where they make their profits.”
“This is about fairness. It’s about whether governments run the country, or billionaire CEOs and the political cronies they bankroll.”
