Latest news with #YahooNewsAustralia
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
New laws with up to $80,000 fine that many don't know is illegal: 'Happening weekly'
A leading Aussie lawyer is urging the public to take note of a fast-growing trend he now sees on a "weekly" basis — warning it could cost you thousands in fines or even land you behind bars, with penalties climbing as high as $80,000 in some regions. Avinash Singh has seen firsthand how the growing trend is taking hold, particularly among young people and those involved in the drug trade. "Most of those carrying knives either wrongly believe they are allowed to for self-defence. Or, they know they cannot carry knives for self-defence but do so anyway, because the consequences of not carrying a knife are more severe than being caught with one," Singh told Yahoo News Australia. He said that while some young people claim they carry knives to feel safe, especially in certain areas, self-defence is not considered a reasonable excuse under the law. "People who carry knives should be aware that the new laws are intended to significantly increase the penalties for these offences, including jail time," Singh, Principal Lawyer at Astor Legal, warned. The warning comes after police arrested a 15-year-old boy in NSW this week, after an alleged knife incident at Macquarie Park on June 9. He stands accused of chasing three people with a machete near a shopping centre bus stop. On Wednesday, police shot a teen girl after she allegedly wielded a knife and made threats outside a Townsville pub in Queensland. Every Australian jurisdiction has laws prohibiting the carrying of knives without a lawful reason, and penalties have become significantly tougher in 2025. In New South Wales, carrying a knife without a lawful excuse carries a maximum penalty of four years' imprisonment and a fine of $4,400. From September, the penalties in Victoria will increase, with offenders facing up to two years behind bars and fines of $30,700. In Queensland, knife possession can land you a year in prison and a fine of up to $6,452. The state has also made it illegal to sell knives to anyone under 18, with the change coming into effect on September 1, 2024. Western Australia has some of the most severe monetary penalties, with individuals facing up to three years' imprisonment and fines reaching $36,000. In South Australia, knife carrying can lead to six months' imprisonment and a $2,500 fine, while Tasmania is moving to increase penalties to three years' imprisonment and fines of up to $20,100, up from the current $10,050. Meanwhile, in the Northern Territory, the maximum penalty is one year in prison or a $37,000 fine. But the Australian Capital Territory imposes the toughest sanctions of all. Those caught with a knife can be sentenced to five years' imprisonment and slapped with a fine of up to $80,000. Singh said the laws have tightened considerably in 2025, with most states now empowering police to conduct warrantless searches and use metal detectors "wanting" where they reasonably suspect someone may be carrying a knife. "Enhanced education, particularly for young people, would be a positive step. Schools should consider adding a course so that young people are aware of the consequences of carrying knives and that self-defence is not a legal defence," he said. Singh explained that under the law, the only reasonable excuses for carrying a knife include things like: needing it for work or training; using it for food preparation (such as camping or hunting); for religious purposes; for a lawful sport or recreational activity; for lawful exhibitions or collections; or as part of wearing an official uniform. "We have represented a number of minors accused of carrying knives — generally from lower socio-economic areas — carrying knives for self-defence. Unfortunately, a lot of these young people have been assaulted and/or threatened themselves," Singh said. "They feel that reporting the matter to police after the fact will do them little good, particularly if they are seriously injured or even killed. As such, they often feel that they have to carry a knife to protect themselves." But Singh says the legal system doesn't allow for this kind of reasoning. In the eyes of the law, a fear of harm — even if justified — is not a defence for possession. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Carpet of critters' found on road as Aussies warned major pest 'on the move'
Australians are being warned to be on the lookout for a notorious pest currently on the move, which has the potential to devastate crops and impact some of our most essential food staples. Swarming again across parts of outback Queensland, Migratory Locusts have been sighted in large numbers around the Longreach, Muttaburra, Aramac, and Alpha–Moray Downs regions, after an extended period of wet weather created the perfect breeding conditions for the species. While the Migratory Locust is native to Australia and plays a role in the ecosystem, in high numbers, it becomes a serious threat to agriculture. "The Migratory Locust is considered a native pest in Australia, which means that while it has a function in Australia's ecosystem, it still remains a scourge to agriculture," Geoff Penton from natural resource management organisation Desert Channels, told Yahoo News Australia. "Many landholders will have a property-specific biosecurity plan to enact, and will be deciding how to apply it in a way that balances business and natural resource interests." Penton said locusts swarm in massive numbers — sometimes in the millions — and land in large swarms on properties. "They will eat everything and anything that looks like green grass. They will even eat green clothing off clothing lines," he said. The threat isn't just limited to pasture. Locusts are voracious feeders and can consume entire fields of cereal crops, legumes, vegetables and even fruit trees in a matter of hours. This includes wheat, barley, oats and sorghum — key ingredients in everything from bread and beer to livestock feed. A large enough outbreak can cripple agricultural regions, strip paddocks bare, reduce food security and cause major economic losses for farmers already doing it tough due to climate variability. Recent surveillance by the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) has confirmed landholder reports of active locust bands, with swarms already being spotted along rural roads. Residents urged to act now as 'millions' of pests threaten to take over Invasive pest threatening to devastate Aussie communities 'Widespread infestation' threatening pantry staples across Australia's east In an update posted by Desert Channels Queensland, staff recently observed "a carpet of critters" near Muttaburra, including several "late-instar stage" locusts preparing to reach full maturity. The APLC has advised that these locusts are expected to grow wings and begin forming larger, more mobile swarms in the coming weeks. While the population size remains below the threshold needed to trigger aerial control, the situation is being closely monitored. Locust development is expected to slow as winter sets in — unless consistent rainfall of at least 40mm per month continues, which could encourage further egg hatching and survival. The APLC is urging landholders and local councils to report any sightings of swarms, hopper bands or egg-laying activity directly to the commission on 1800 635 962 or With the threat of crop destruction looming, vigilance and early reporting are essential. Australia has seen the damage locust plagues can cause, and experts are hoping proactive reporting will keep this outbreak in check before it takes flight. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Footpath spat erupts in one of Australia's priciest suburbs: 'Ridiculous'
A bitter debate has erupted among residents living in one of Australia's most expensive suburbs, following the local council's decision to install over 30 new bus stop shelters around the area. A woman from Sydney's Eastern Suburbs described one shelter as a "giant advertising screen", saying that she believes it's visually intrusive and detracts from the natural beauty of the Rose Bay promenade. She claimed there was "zero community consultation" on the rollout of the shelters and pointed to Mosman Council's approach, which reportedly involved full community engagement and accommodation of objections before installing 22 shelters. The woman also raised safety and accessibility concerns about the Wintergarden stop — described as Rose Bay's "most exclusive and prestigious apartment complex" — claiming the placement forces pedestrians "to walk single file" on an otherwise heavily trafficked footpath. "It is absolutely ridiculous, Woollahra Council placing this giant advertising screen outside the Wintergarden, blocking this very busy footpath which is enjoyed by so many," she blasted. "So many use this footpath commuting to the Rose Bay ferry, walking to the fabulous updated children's playground in Lynne Park and enjoying the magnificent Rose Bay promenade walk. This is so very wrong. We must protect and preserve our streetscape and ensure that the community is engaged in the placement of these bus shelters." Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, a spokesperson for Woollahra Council explained that the featured advertising helped pay for the shelters and "contributes to the cost of providing essential services" to the community. "They provide excellent shelter and shade for commuters," they said. But locals continued to argue online about their placement. "Rain protection and advertising revenue to keep your council rates lower. What's the issue?" a local said. "Perhaps think of the seniors waiting for a bus who appreciate having somewhere to sit while they wait," another woman weighed in. "However, I totally agree that the size of the screen is absurd. It makes no sense to have it that wide." Another asked: "I wonder what the disability council has to say about these?" "No proper access for wheelchairs and mobility aids to pass by and no alerts for vision-impaired members of the community to safely navigate around," they said. One woman echoed the original poster's sentiment. "These are disgusting eyesores around Rose Bay, I agree," she said. For its part, Woollahra Council said that before the commencement of all installations, "each site was assessed to ensure the shelters were placed safely and appropriately". Coles shopper fumes over 'cruel' find in rubbish bin outside store Chicken shop's 'bonkers' pest control plan sparks intense backlash Elderly man caught allegedly keying Tesla in affluent Aussie suburb "And notifications were issued to nearby residents and businesses, providing opportunity for feedback," they stated. "Further site assessments were then conducted and modifications considered, based on concerns raised through this process." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Aussies at 'risk' as dangerous road problem reaches record-breaking levels: 'Rapid growth'
Aussie road users are growing increasingly fed up with the deteriorating state of the tarmac across the country. New data reveals reports of sub-par roads and bike paths have tripled in the past three years, with "no signs of slowing down". While the number of reports correlates with an uptick in Aussies opting to travel on their bikes, the state of roads poses an "increasing risk" to the wellbeing of cyclists, according to Danny Gorog, CEO of council reporting app Snap Send Solve. Cycling advocacy group Bicycle NSW's CEO Peter McLean has called on authorities to pay attention to the complaints, telling Yahoo it's critically important "all three tiers" of government acknowledge that there are more cyclists than ever on the roads. "We need to evolve and react to managing our assets and infrastructure more appropriately," he said. "People want better, more consistent infrastructure, and where they're not seeing it, they are reporting it," he said. Since 2020, cycling has seen a "massive uptake", according to McLean. Now, over five million Australians are riding a bike every week, particularly with the advent of e-bikes. With that, has come a rise in complaints on the state of infrastructure meant to serve cyclists. Last year, there was a "record-breaking" 5,235 reports of issues in bike paths including crumbling tarmac, regular debris in the way, as well as overgrown nature strips across the country, according to Snap Send Solve data. 2025 looks like it's going to be even worse with 3,153 reports already recorded between January and May this year. "This rapid growth strongly suggests that conditions on the ground are deteriorating year over year," Gorog told Yahoo News Australia. While the Snap Send Solve app itself is increasing in popularity among responsible citizens, he believes the rise in complaints is "unlikely" to be explained simply by reporting behaviour alone. "It signals worsening infrastructure conditions, poor repairs, ageing bike lanes, and potentially inadequate maintenance cycles," he said. He warns the current pace of deterioration could "undermine broader mobility goals and pose increasing risks to cyclists." Gorog hopes the insights will guide smarter investments and ongoing upgrades from authorities. 🚨 Drivers warned major road rule change with $961 fines 'just weeks' away 📸 Cyclist's heated exchange with driver over 'deliberate' roadside act 👮 'Unbelievable' moment cyclist swerves in front of driver draws police response It's not just the quality of the roads putting cyclists at risk, but also fellow road users like car drivers. A disproportionate amount of crashes involve cyclists on Australian roads despite them being a small percentage of overall road users. Last year, cyclist deaths jumped from 34 in 2023 to 38 in 2024, an 11.8% increase, with motor vehicles involved in the majority of crashes. Footage shared earlier this year shows a scary near-miss between a driver and a cyclist in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick. Cyclist Rory Meister told Yahoo News he thought it was "absurd" the driver didn't see him despite having flashing lights on his bike. He said incidents with drivers are alarmingly frequent. McLean previously told Yahoo education and awareness are the first port of call for improving safety for cyclists. "Fundamentally, we need better awareness at an early stage of when people are getting their licenses," he said. "There's lots of great drivers out there and we just need to equalise everyone on the road." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie councils push for tougher fines for millions of pet owners amid worrying trend
Major city councils are calling on the state government to implement much tougher pet laws, including higher fines and stronger enforcement powers, amid a rise in irresponsible owner behaviour and attacks from dogs. Over the last 20 years Randwick City Council, in Sydney's east, has reported a sharp rise in dog attacks, from 900 in 2004 to an incredible 5,000 last year. It said pet owners have also dropped the ball, with reports that many had stopped picking up after their dogs, while failing to monitor them adequately at off-leash parks, particularly around children and wildlife. In response, as part of the state government's review into the Companion Animals Act 1998, Randwick has asked the NSW government for higher fines and stronger penalties. "Randwick City Council is calling for tougher pet laws, stronger enforcement powers and better education," it stated in a council meeting in late May. The submission, endorsed by councillors, also recommends mandatory cat containment, more public education on responsible pet ownership, and expanded powers for councils to act on dangerous dogs and nuisance animals. Roaming domestic cats can have a devastating impact on native wildlife, hunting and killing birds, reptiles, and small mammals, even when they're well-fed at home. In NSW, dog owners can be fined up to $330 for walking their pet off-leash in areas where it's not permitted, and $275 for failing to clean up after their dog. While councils enforce these fines, they do not set them independently — the amounts are dictated by state legislation. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the law currently states that a dog that attacks another dog attracts the same fine as when it attacks a child. "Clearly, that's not right," he told 9News. "Everyone loves their dog until something goes wrong, and that's why we want to make sure we get the rules right for the 21st century." Adjacent council Waverley is also joining the campaign, reportedly calling on pet owners who break the rules to attend training courses. "We encourage responsible pet ownership to ensure safety and that everyone, including our four-legged companions, can enjoy our parks and community," it said. Yahoo News Australia has contacted Randwick and Waverley councils for comment. New rule change legalises common pet act in graveyards Inner city suburb terrorised by roaming dogs as locals report attacks Aussie's five-year legal battle with council over pet dogs With an estimated 4.7 million cats and dogs in NSW alone, responsible pet ownership is crucial to minimising their impact on local ecosystems, public spaces, and community safety, both councils say. Pet ownership nationally experienced a significant surge during and directly after the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by lockdowns, remote work, and a collective search for companionship. Figures suggest households with pets rose from 61 per cent to 69 per cent. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
