⚠️ TASMANIANS LOSE $1.5M THROUGH CRYPTO ATMS IN JUST 3 MONTHS

Tasmanian scam victims lost more than $1.5 million through cryptocurrency ATMs in just three months, according to Tasmania Police.

Police say romance, investment and recovery scammers were directing victims to the machines, sometimes after banks questioned or blocked attempted transfers. Tasmania now has 28 crypto ATMs, up from just one in 2021.

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⚠️ AUSTRALIA SIGNS 10-YEAR SECURITY PACT WITH UKRAINE

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have signed a 10-year security agreement in New York, expanding cooperation on military training, cyber security and potentially the joint production of drones, missiles and air defence systems.

Australia also announced another $60 million for Ukraine, including $45 million in ADF equipment, bringing Australia's total contribution since Russia's 2022 invasion to almost $1.9 billion. Australia will also join the UK and Norway-led Maritime Capability Coalition supporting Ukraine's navy.

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🚨 OPENAI AI AGENT HACKED AUSTRALIAN MEDICARE PORTAL

An OpenAI AI agent gained unauthorised access to a Services Australia Medicare statistics portal, bypassing restrictions and accessing both public and non-public files during an incident on June 18.

OpenAI did not notify Services Australia until September 10, nearly three months later, sending the warning to a public email inbox.

Anthony Albanese has since spoken directly with Sam Altman and ordered an urgent investigation.

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⚠️ ALL HOUSEHOLDS COULD PAY FOR EV CHARGERS UNDER NEW PLAN

Australian households could help fund 14,000 public EV chargers through their power bills, even if they don’t own an EV.

The draft AEMC plan would have the federal government cover around 30% of the cost, with the rest recovered from electricity customers — about $1 per household per year for five years.

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🚨 MORE THAN HALF OF AFP MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS CLOSED WITHOUT INVESTIGATION

Since July 2021, 643 of 1,213 misconduct allegations against AFP officers were finalised without an investigation, according to figures provided to a parliamentary inquiry.

The Commonwealth Ombudsman has repeatedly warned the AFP may be relying too heavily on its discretionary powers to close complaints without investigating them.

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⚠️ AUSTRALIANS MOVE OVERSEAS FOR CHEAPER LIVING

Australians are relocating to countries including Thailand, Cambodia and El Salvador to escape high housing and living costs at home.

Australian dad Jay Houston has gone viral showing his cheaper life in Thailand, with utility bills under $70 and cheap meals, while pensioners are also making the move.

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👀 BRAZIL PLAYERS TRY NOT TO LAUGH DURING INDIGENOUS WELCOME

Members of Brazil’s national football team were filmed covering their mouths and appearing to hold back laughter during an Indigenous smoking ceremony after arriving in Townsville.

The ceremony was held ahead of Brazil’s match against Australia.

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🚨 NSW COP CHARGED AFTER PURSUIT CRASH

A 50-year-old senior constable has been charged after allegedly continuing to follow a motorcycle after a police pursuit had been called off, before colliding with the 17-year-old rider.

The officer faces three driving charges and his employment status is under review.

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⚠️ SYDNEY MAN JAILED 3 YEARS OVER NAZI SALUTE

Nathan Ballesty has been sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty to performing a Nazi salute, alongside other offences.

He is the first person jailed under Australia’s new mandatory minimum sentencing laws for the gesture.

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🚨 TWO CHARGED OVER DRONE DROP INTO NSW PRISON

Two men have been charged after allegedly trying to fly drugs, tobacco and a mobile phone into Cooma Correctional Centre using a drone.

Police found the drone and attached package nearby. Both men were refused bail.

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🚨 MAN FIGHTING FOR LIFE AFTER CONFRONTING ALLEGED CAR THIEVES

A 41-year-old man is in a critical condition after allegedly being stabbed outside his Melbourne home while confronting a group breaking into a car.

Two 16-year-old boys have been arrested, while police are searching for a third teen.

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🔥 BRISBANE LIONS WIN AFL GRAND FINAL AFTER INSANE COMEBACK

The Brisbane Lions have completed a historic three-peat, storming home to defeat Fremantle in a remarkable finish at the MCG.

Fremantle were 17 points ahead late in the final quarter before Brisbane clawed their way back to steal the premiership. The Lions become the first AFL side since Hawthorn in 2013–15 to win three straight flags.

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🚨 OPENAI ADMITS ROGUE AI AGENTS HIT DOZENS OF ORGANISATIONS

OpenAI says autonomous agents bypassed security controls or otherwise affected dozens of governments, universities and public agencies worldwide.

New evidence also shows the agents spent days trying to access Australian health and government data, including PBS, aged-care and NSW crime statistics.

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🚨 SYDNEY MAN PLEADS GUILTY OVER DEATH THREATS TO JIM CHALMERS

A Sydney man has pleaded guilty over death threats made against Treasurer Jim Chalmers.

The 55-year-old was arrested earlier this year after the AFP investigated threatening calls allegedly made to the Treasurer’s office. He is now awaiting sentencing.

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🚨 POLICE OFFICER STABBED IN NECK DURING BRISBANE CALLOUT

A Queensland Police constable was allegedly stabbed in the neck while responding to a disturbance at a Hemmant home in Brisbane’s east early Sunday morning.

Police say a man fled the scene before being taken into custody shortly afterwards. The injured officer was taken to hospital for treatment.

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🔥 KNIGHTS STUN PANTHERS TO REACH NRL GRAND FINAL

The Newcastle Knights have pulled off a massive upset over Penrith to book their place in the NRL Grand Final for the first time in 25 years.

Newcastle’s remarkable finals run continues after entering September from 7th place, having already knocked out South Sydney and the Warriors.

The dramatic preliminary final also saw Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary suffer a serious leg injury, while Newcastle’s Phoenix Crossland was sent off.

The Knights will now face the Sydney Roosters in next Sunday’s Grand Final.

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⚠️ LABOR GRANTS PERMANENT VISAS TO 30,000+ RUDD–GILLARD-ERA BOAT ARRIVALS

More than 30,000 people from Australia’s Rudd-Gillard-era boat arrival caseload have now reportedly been granted permanent visas under Labor.

When the pathway was announced in 2023, around 19,000 temporary protection visa holders were expected to benefit. That figure has now blown past 30,000, more than 11,000 above the original estimate.

The permanent Resolution of Status visa allows recipients to remain in Australia indefinitely and, if eligible, eventually apply for Australian citizenship.

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