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Pacific Highway near Taree reopens

The Pacific Highway will be entirely open throughout NSW by early this evening with access to be restored at the major route’s only closed section near Taree.

Lane and speed restrictions will be in place on the highway between Purfleet and Coopernook as water recedes and crews continue to remove debris from the road.

Motorists will initially have single lane access at this section of the Pacific Highway, with a plan to restore full access over next couple of days. We ask motorists to take extra care while driving through this part of highway, which is an active worksite.

Transport for NSW crews have worked tirelessly to reconnect communities and get freight moving again through this major freight and transport corridor.

Many roads across the North Coast remain impacted by floodwaters. Motorists should never drive through floodwaters – if it is flooded, forget it.

Please check the Live Traffic NSW website at livetraffic.com or download the app to get the most up-to-date information on road closures before heading out.

We thank the community and the freight industry, who we have worked closely with, for their patience while we restore access to roads across the network.

Until the Pacific Highway reopens (between Purfleet and Coopernook near Taree), the detours outlined below remain in place:

Northbound: use the New England Highway at Beresfield towards Maitland (do not cross Hexham Bridge) and follow until Glen Innes, join the Gwydir Highway at Glen Innes towards Grafton, join Big River Way at South Grafton towards Tyndale, rejoin Pacific Highway at Tyndale. If you need to head south from South Grafton, follow directions to Glenugie.
Southbound: exit the Pacific Highway at Tyndale, take Big River Way to South Grafton, join the Gwydir Highway at South Grafton towards Glen Innes, join the New England Highway at Glen Innes towards Armidale, join the Pacific Motorway at Beresfield.

Hunter Line – Buses replace trains between Maitland and Dungog

Buses are replacing trains between Maitland and Dungog in both directions after recent flooding in the area.

Some services are cancelled to complete repairs caused by earlier floods. Buses will supplement between Newcastle Interchange and Telarah.

Please allow plenty of extra travel time, check transport apps and listen to announcements for service update

Charges laid over looting following floods on the Mid North Coast

Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell today issued a firm warning following the arrest of two men for looting following the devastating floods on the Mid North Coast.

Mr Thurtell said stealing from families and local businesses wiped out by some of the worst floods on record is unforgivable.

“We have additional police on the ground and if we find anyone taking advantage of this community we’ll throw the book at them,” Deputy Commissioner Thurtell said.

“The impact of this weather event has been unimaginable and to think they now have to be concerned about hanging on to whatever property they have left is a disgrace.

“Stealing from people vulnerable during hard times like these is un-Australian.”

About 8.40pm yesterday (Sunday 25 May 2025), police stopped a 20-year-old man on Pulteney Street, Taree, when he was allegedly found picking through property in the street.

Police allege that when the man was stopped, he was in possession of two hunting knives, first aid kits, a defibrillator, several fishing rods and other medical items and tools.

The 20-year-old man was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, and custody of knife in public place.

The man was refused bail to appear before Taree Local Court today (Monday 26 May 2025), where he was formally refused bail to appear before Forster Local Court on Tuesday 10 June 2025.

In an unrelated incident, police stopped and searched a 4WD on Albert Street, Taree, about 10.40pm yesterday (Sunday 25 May 2025).

When personal documents, tools, and a knife were allegedly located inside the vehicle, the driver – a 29-year-old man – was arrested and taken to Taree Police Station.

He was charged with goods in personal custody suspected being stolen, custody of knife in a public place, licence expired within the last two years, and stealing.

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Taree Local Court on Tuesday 17 June 2025.

As floodwaters recede, officers attached to Manning/Great Lakes Police District – with assistance from PolAir – have increased proactive patrols to target theft and property offences in the region.

Manning/Great Lakes Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Natalie Antaw, would like to assure the public that police are performing additional patrols around the clock, and extra resources have been assigned to prevent and disrupt further offending.

“We encourage the public to report any suspicious behaviour to police as soon as possible so that we can take action.”

“I’d also like to remind people that taking any goods that are not yours, no matter where they are found, is an offence – even if the items have been moved from their original place by floodwaters,” she said.

Man charged following alleged armed robbery – Newcastle

A man will face court tomorrow charged following an alleged armed robbery at a licensed premises near Newcastle at the weekend.

About 7.50pm on Saturday 24 May 2025, police were called to a hotel on Fullerton Street, Stockton, following reports of an armed robbery.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District attended and found a 30-year-old man being held down by a group of patrons.

Police were told the man had allegedly threatened patrons at the venue and demanded cash from staff, before stabbing a 68-year-old man.

The 68-year-old patron left the scene prior to the arrival of police. He was later located and attended John Hunter Hospital.

The 30-year-old man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics, before being taken to the same hospital under police guard.

Police searched the man and allegedly located and seized several weapons including a gel blaster firearm.

Police established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Earlier today (Monday 26 May 2025), the 30-year-old man was charged with five offences:

Robbery while armed with dangerous weapon,
Aggravated robbery with wounding/grievous bodily harm,
Wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,
Possess unregistered firearm-pistol, and
Common assault.

He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Tuesday 26 May 2025).

Appeal to locate woman missing from Rutherford

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman reported missing from the state’s Hunter region.

Olivia Hoskins, aged 26, was last seen in Rutherford about 8.30pm today (Saturday 24 May 2025).

When she could not be located or contacted, officers attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Police and family hold concerns for her welfare.

Olivia is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 165cm tall, with a thin build and brown/blonde hair.

She is believed to be travelling in a red Honda Jazz with NSW registration DVK 97V and was last seen wearing a beige jumper and track pants.

Olivia is known to frequent the Rutherford, Newcastle, Mosman and Sydney areas.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to call Port Stephens-Hunter Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Driver charged following pursuit – Wallsend

A man has been charged after a pursuit in Wallsend last night.

About 11.40pm last night (Friday 23 May 2025), officers from Newcastle City Police District e were patrolling Metcalfe Street, Wallsend when they attempted to stop the driver of a white Kia Rio.

When the vehicle failed to stop as directed, police initiated a pursuit.

Police discontinued the pursuit after losing sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, officers from Newcastle Traffic and Highway Patrol re-engaged the vehicle in a pursuit.

Road spikes were successfully deployed in the Wallsend area before police terminated the pursuit after again after losing sight of the vehicle.

Just after midnight, police located the Kia Rio abandoned after it crashed into bushland at the end of Elermore Parade, Wallsend.

Police set up a perimeter with the dog squad and Polair in attendance.

The accused was located on Cambronne Parade Elermore Vale, where following a short foot pursuit, a man was arrested after attempting to jump a timber paling fence.

In climbing the fence, the man slipped and impaled his right calf on the top of the fence.

Police immediately administered first aid until the arrival of Ambulance Paramedics and officers from Fire and Rescue NSW, who cut him down from the fence.

The man was taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard for treatment.

After being released from hospital, the man was taken to Waratah police station where he was charged with three offences – two counts of police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously (2^nd + offence) and drive whilst disqualified (2^nd + offence).

The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court tomorrow (Sunday 25 May 2025).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Health Minister Mark Butler have joined Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia to announce an overhaul of Australia’s Clinical Guidelines for PSA Testing

The announcement was made at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s annual Parliamentary Big Aussie Barbie in Canberra today.

Experts have called for new guidelines to improve early detection of the disease.

Health Minister:

“Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer in this country, and the Albanese Government is committed to taking action to improve earlier detection and treatment of the disease.

“We are very serious about delivering on our election commitments to improve health outcomes for Australian men and families.

“More than 24,000 Australian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, and more than 3,500 will die from the disease.

“As Health Minister, I am determined to increase earlier detection of prostate cancer so that we can reduce avoidable deaths from the disease and manage the country’s leading cause of cancer more effectively.”

PCFA Chairman Adjunct A/Professor Steve Callister:

“Australia has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer in the world, with one in every five Australian men likely to be diagnosed by age 85.

“We commend the Government’s support for our review of the 2016 guidelines and we look forward to commencing this work immediately.

“If we can diagnose all men at the earliest stage and ensure they have access to new medicines and care, we can beat this disease.”

Greens welcome standalone birth centre after years advocating with community

Deputy Leader of the ACT Greens Jo Clay:

“The ACT Greens have advocated with midwives, mothers, parents and everyday Canberrans for a standalone birth centre for years.

“Today’s announcement for a standalone birth centre as part of the new North Canberra Hospital project is a testament to the community’s hard work and advocacy over decades.

“Birth is not an illness. But the simple reality is that most women and birthing people currently have no choice but to give birth inside a hospital.

“Some women and birthing people will want to choose to birth in a hospital, and we support everyone in their choices, but for those who want to birth in a home-like environment with a known midwife, Canberrans simply need more options.

“Right now our current birth centres have waitlists hundreds of people long because they provide continuity of care – which better supports individual needs, reduces unnecessary medical interventions and results in more positive birth experiences and outcomes.

“This new standalone birth centre will mean more women and birthing people will have more choice and confidence throughout pregnancy and birth.

“This report also acknowledges that a freestanding birth centre fully separate to a hospital campus and out in the community, with alternative governance, is a good option in the future for Canberra.

“Such a facility would have the potential to better meet the needs of the community, especially in supporting First Nations families through Birthing With Country.”

Background

The ACT Greens included their 2020 election commitment to a standalone family birth centre as a priority in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement for the 10th Legislative Assembly.
On 7 February 2023, Ms Clay unanimously passed a private members motion committing the ACT Government to complete the feasibility study, released today, for a co-designed midwife-led facility, either located alongside or fully separate from the new northside hospital, by August 2024.
Also on 7 February 2023, Ms Clay tabled a petition with over 3000 signatures calling for a freestanding birth centre in the ACT.
On 30 September 2024, the ACT Greens reconfirmed an election commitment for the ACT’s first co-designed and midwife-led freestanding birth centre on the northside.

Joint donor statement on humanitarian aid to Gaza

Joint statement with:

The Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management and the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean.

19 May 2025

Whilst we acknowledge indications of a limited restart of aid, Israel blocked humanitarian aid entering Gaza for over two months. Food, medicines and essential supplies are exhausted. The population faces starvation. Gaza’s people must receive the aid they desperately need.

Prior to the aid block, the UN and humanitarian NGOs delivered aid into Gaza, working with great courage, at the risk of their lives and in the face of major access challenges imposed by Israel. These organisations subscribe to upholding humanitarian principles, operating independently, with neutrality, impartiality and humanity. They have the logistical capacity, expertise and operational coverage to deliver assistance across Gaza to those who need it most.

Israel’s security cabinet has reportedly approved a new model for delivering aid into Gaza, which the UN and our humanitarian partners cannot support. They are clear that they will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles. Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every warzone. The UN has raised concerns that the proposed model cannot deliver aid effectively, at the speed and scale required. It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives. Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced nor subjected to any demographic change.

As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity. We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza. We also reiterate our firm message that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference. It is our firm conviction that an immediate return to a ceasefire and working towards the implementation of a two-state solution are the only way to bring peace and security to Israelis and Palestinians and ensure long-term stability for the whole region.

Adoption of World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement

The Australian Government welcomes the adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement.

The Agreement is a significant step towards strengthening pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.

The Agreement takes account of lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic and supports collective action to address pandemic threats, including by strengthening multi-sectoral disease surveillance and access to vaccines.

While the Agreement has been adopted by the World Health Assembly, there are further steps remaining to finalise technical details. Australia will only commence our treaty making process after the Agreement opens for signature, which is not expected until at least mid-2026.

Once the Agreement has entered into force, Australia and our region will be better positioned to reduce pandemic risks and respond swiftly if a pandemic occurs, saving lives and mitigating the impacts on our economies. Australia will retain full sovereignty in making public health decisions which promote the interests of Australians.

Australia is proud to have served as Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body for the Pandemic Agreement, representing our diverse Western Pacific region.

This outcome reaffirms the value of multilateral solutions to shared global challenges.

Australia will continue to play our part to ensure the international community is better prepared to respond to future pandemics

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“We need international cooperation on health to help keep Australia, our region, and the world safe. The adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement demonstrates the value of the international community working together to find solutions to shared global challenges.”

Minister for Health and Ageing, Minister for Disability and the NDIS, the Hon Mark Butler MP:

“The next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. We have a collective responsibility to protect public health in all of our countries. The adoption of the WHO Pandemic Agreement is an important step forward.”