South Australian government's record crime and justice spend in state budget
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Man and woman charged with murder of missing teen Pheobe Bishop The South Australian government has unveiled its latest state budget, with a significant emphasis on law enforcement and justice initiatives in the lead-up to the March election. While the government has acknowledged cost-of-living pressures, the budget's focus on bolstering the police force has drawn both support and criticism. A central feature of the budget is a $172 million commitment to increase the number of sworn police officers by 326, aiming to bring the total force to 5000 by 2030-31. Alongside the focus on crime and justice, the budget includes some help for families with school-aged children. (Nine) "[This aims] to make sure that South Australia doesn't get into the same sorts of trouble we see in other places around the country," Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said. More than $45 million has been allocated to enhance road safety measures, including the deployment of more mobile phone detection cameras. Alongside the focus on crime and justice, the budget includes some help for families with school-aged children. The $200 school materials charge discount and the sports voucher program will continue, while the cost of the 28-day student metroCARD will be reduced from $28 to $10, potentially saving families $242 per year. When questioned about whether there's enough relief for South Australians still doing it tough, Mullighan said "last year's budget included a really significant cost of living package aimed specifically at low income earners and it wasn't once-off relief". While the government has acknowledged cost-of-living pressures, the budget's focus on bolstering the police force has drawn both support and criticism. (Nine) However, Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia criticised the government for a lack of help for struggling households. "Cost of living is the number one issue and there was a great opportunity for the premier and his government to deliver on that front," he said. The budget also allocates $70 million for drought relief and $384 million for the Whyalla Steelworks, anticipating an extended sale process - the funds contingent on Commonwealth support. While the budget is currently in surplus, debt levels are projected to rise, reaching almost $49 billion by 2028-2029. "Running budget surpluses while we are investing in the future ... taking on additional debt to fund those infrastructure developments gives us the confidence we can afford to service that debt," Mullighan said. This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress . 9ExPress
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Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Forever 17:' Funeral for teen Pheobe Bishop
A funeral service for Bundaberg teenager Pheobe Bishop will be held 16 days after her remains were found in bushland following her disappearance. The 17-year-old was last seen on May 15, on her way to Bundaberg Airport to board a flight to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia. She was reported missing the following day. A major investigation began after it was discovered Pheobe failed to board her flight and she was not captured on CCTV inside the airport. Pheobe Bishop image from a funeral notice. Credit: Supplied Pheobe Bishop, 17, was about to travel to Western Australia to reunite with her boyfriend when she failed to board her flight at the Bundaberg Airport. Credit: News Corp Australia The trip was a long-awaited reunion with her boyfriend Levi, who had moved across the country following a family tragedy. Police allege she was murdered by her flatmates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, on the day she was last seen. The pair were arrested on June 5 following a failed search to find the missing teen. They were charged with murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Pheobe's body was discovered near Good Night Scrub National Park the following day. Pheobe Bishop's housemates' James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, have been charged with her murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Credit: Supplied A funeral for the teen will be held with her family and friends in Bundaberg before a private cremation at the Springfields Crematorium at Elliott Heads at 2pm on Monday June 30. Messages have flooded the funeral notice offering their condolences to her family. 'It is so very sad you were taken from life as you were. You will remain forever young in the hearts of all who knew and loved you. May your soul rest peacefully,'one message read. 'My heartfelt condolences to Pheobe's family and friends, a young life cut short senselessly,' another said. 'Sincere condolences. Such a tragic end to a young life. May Pheobe rest peacefully,' a person said. Mother Kylie Johnson pictured with her daughter Pheobe Bishop. Credit: News Corp Australia 'BISHOP, Pheobe Jade 'Nanny McPhee'. Aged 17 years. Late of Gin Gin and formerly of Windsor, NSW. Beloved daughter of Kylie and Ray, Kevin and Stacey. Dearly loved sister of Jamie, Jesse, Kaylea, Ruby-Leigh, Aybel and sister-in-law to Janay. Loving aunty to Tallullah. Much loved niece, cousin and friend to many,' the funeral notice reads. Her family have asked for donations to be made to Pheobe's Go Fund Me page in lieu of flowers, which has already raised $7600. Tracey Berends organised the tribute on behalf of Ms Bishop's family saying their world was shattered when the bright, kind-hearted and deeply loved young woman was taken from them far too soon. 'Pheobe had a gentle soul and a generous spirit – always caring for others and standing up for what was right,' she told a vigil earlier this month. 'We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community.' Her mother Kylie Johnson said at the vigil she never expected a situation like that would happen to her. 'Now, unfortunately, we know that she is not going to come home to us,' she said. 'I have no words that could ever, ever describe what the last three-and-a-half weeks … it's just weighed us down.' 'Phee was more than glorious, she was compassionate, she was caring, she was resilient, she was relentless at times.'
News.com.au
14 hours ago
- News.com.au
Funeral for slain 17yo Pheobe Bishop will be held in Bundaberg on June 30
A funeral service for Bundaberg teenager Pheobe Bishop will be held 16 days after her remains were found in bushland following her disappearance. The 17-year-old was last seen on May 15, on her way to Bundaberg Airport to board a flight to visit her boyfriend in Western Australia. She was reported missing the following day. A major investigation began after it was discovered Pheobe failed to board her flight and she was not captured on CCTV inside the airport. The trip was a long-awaited reunion with her boyfriend Levi, who had moved across the country following a family tragedy. Police allege she was murdered by her flatmates James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, on the day she was last seen. The pair were arrested on June 5 following a failed search to find the missing teen. They were charged with murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Pheobe's body was discovered near Good Night Scrub National Park the following day. A funeral for the teen will be held with her family and friends in Bundaberg before a private cremation at the Springfields Crematorium at Elliott Heads at 2pm on Monday June 30. Messages have flooded the funeral notice offering their condolences to her family. 'It is so very sad you were taken from life as you were. You will remain forever young in the hearts of all who knew and loved you. May your soul rest peacefully,'one message read. 'My heartfelt condolences to Pheobe's family and friends, a young life cut short senselessly,' another said. 'Sincere condolences. Such a tragic end to a young life. May Pheobe rest peacefully,' a person said. 'BISHOP, Pheobe Jade 'Nanny McPhee'. Aged 17 years. Late of Gin Gin and formerly of Windsor, NSW. Beloved daughter of Kylie and Ray, Kevin and Stacey. Dearly loved sister of Jamie, Jesse, Kaylea, Ruby-Leigh, Aybel and sister-in-law to Janay. Loving aunty to Tallullah. Much loved niece, cousin and friend to many,' the funeral notice reads. Her family have asked for donations to be made to Pheobe's Go Fund Me page in lieu of flowers, which has already raised $7600. Tracey Berends organised the tribute on behalf of Ms Bishop's family saying their world was shattered when the bright, kind-hearted and deeply loved young woman was taken from them far too soon. 'Pheobe had a gentle soul and a generous spirit – always caring for others and standing up for what was right,' she told a vigil earlier this month. 'We want her legacy to live on and by paying it forward to the amazing volunteers and community.' Her mother Kylie Johnson said at the vigil she never expected a situation like that would happen to her. 'Now, unfortunately, we know that she is not going to come home to us,' she said. 'I have no words that could ever, ever describe what the last three-and-a-half weeks … it's just weighed us down.'
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Death in custody case under scrutiny as ministers meet
An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 An Indigenous death in custody case is being closely watched by the federal government after a territory leader vigorously opposed an independent inquiry. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin that deaths in custody had to end and the Commonwealth was deeply concerned about the issue. The federal minister for Indigenous Australians said there could be heated debate over deaths in custody and harsher youth crime laws as she met with state and territory counterparts and Coalition of Peaks members on Friday. The coalition represents more than 80 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community bodies comprising about 800 organisations and is a formal partner with Australian governments on Closing the Gap. Friday's meeting follows the death in custody of Kumanjayi White on May 27 after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. Despite multiple calls for an independent inquiry, NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and acting police commissioner Martin Dole rejected the proposal, saying NT Police were the best to investigate the death. Senator McCarthy has been among those calling for an independent inquiry. When asked on Friday if the federal government might intervene and convene a national cabinet on the issue, she said "we are watching very closely". Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would be briefed on the Closing the Gap meeting and its debates on deaths in custody, high Indigenous incarceration rates and tougher youth crime laws, she said. Federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland was also deeply concerned about deaths in custody and would discuss the issue at an upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts, the senator said. Scott Wilson, the acting lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks, said outcomes for Indigenous people were improved when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations were properly resourced. "On the issue of youth justice and child protection, our kids are harmed by the system that should protect them," he said. The coalition wants a national strategy to address the drivers of youth detention and high number of Indigenous children in out-of-home care. "That is poverty, unstable housing, racism and lack of access to services," Mr Wilson said. "Locking up 10-year-old kids isn't justice, it's a failure of policy and compassion." Deaths in custody and high incarceration rates were not accidents but outcomes of a system that needed deep systemic change, including eliminating racism in police, courts and corrections, he said. All states and territories have introduced crime crackdowns after spates of violence and lawlessness, largely involving young people. In Queensland, children as young as 10 will face adult jail time for a range of new offences after the state government in May passed its second tranche of controversial youth crime laws. The NT government recently passed tougher bail laws, which are expected to lead to a surge in the territory's prison population, including more Indigenous youth inmates. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
