Tobacco tax cut lit up as black market trade ‘solution’
A state government minister has conceded tobacco tax is fuelling rampant illegal trade as his federal Labor counterpart denies a cut would be a silver bullet.
crime
Plot to smuggle a fugitive bikie to Indonesia foiled
Attempted people smuggling charges have been laid for the first time in WA after a plan to sail a fugitive bikie from an outback town to Indonesia was foiled.
‘Not concerned’: minister under fire over child report
A state minister has become embroiled in a major inquiry's report that exposed years of systemic failure in child protection, sparking urgent reforms
Corruption watchdog probes police funding fiasco
A review has uncovered a $400 million hole in a state police budget with funds meant for frontline diverted elsewhere, triggering a corruption watchdog probe.
‘Load of crap’: underworld figure jokes after arrest
An underworld figure has emerged from his beachside mansion after his arrest and release, quipping he was taken into custody over a "speeding fine".
Teen charged with plotting ‘acts of violence’ at school
A teenage boy is facing serious charges after he allegedly planned "acts of violence" at a local school while possessing violent extremist material.
Retiring cop alleged target of police station attack
A man has been denied bail after literally crashing a 40-year veteran officer's retirement party, accused of driving at police and ramming the station.
‘Horrendous’: murder charge after fatal, random rampage
A man has been charged with murder after allegedly beating a 78-year-old pedestrian to death during a violent rampage that injured two others.
More Australian firms are panicking and paying ransoms
Australian companies are among the most likely to pay online criminals to retrieve stolen data even though they have to disclose their payments.
Arrests follow alleged tomahawk attack, knife threat
Five people have been charged after a man was attacked with a tomahawk and residents threatened with a knife during a crime spree, police say.
‘Last piece of him’: Bondi widow hails return of camera
The widow of Bondi massacre victim Peter Meagher says the recovery of her husband's camera equipment, allegedly stolen after the shootings, is "miraculous".
‘Gimmick’: critic blasts DV blitz that nets almost 1000
A domestic violence operation leading to the arrests of hundreds of people and the seizure of almost 100 firearms has been criticised as a political game.
‘Nightmare scenario’: illegal tobacco impact laid bare
Legitimate tobacco retailers say tax hikes have led to illicit sales decimating their income, with the legal market destined to be wiped out.
Pleas for humanity in justice after teen dies in jail
A death in custody is sparking renewed calls for a government to change the way it deals with incarceration and to shed its "populist law and order agenda".
Police search for body after woman charged with murder
Police are calling for help to locate the remains of a man after a woman was charged with his murder, six months after his disappearance.
Woman charged over torture and neglect of young girl
A woman has been charged with torture and failing to provide the necessities of life to a child who has been in intensive care for almost three months.
‘Everyone’s angry’: residents wage war on crime wave
Fed-up inner-city residents are fighting back against rising crime as an ongoing wave of arson attacks are unleashed on popular nightlife venues.
Reward of $1m to help crack teacher’s disappearance
A man who went overseas with a teacher before she vanished nearly 30 years ago probably knows more about her suspicious disappearance, her family says.
Reward to help crack teacher’s disappearance
The daughter of a teacher who vanished nearly 30 years ago will join police to announce a $1 million reward to help uncover information leading to an arrest.
Bootlegger boom: big excise fuels black market booze
The government is being urged to cut the alcohol excise before the horse has bolted and another black market like illicit tobacco becomes entrenched.
Rape charges ‘shock’ surgeon partner of former premier
A former state premier's partner says he is shocked by the allegations against him after being charged with rape, sexual assault and deprivation of liberty.
Murder charge over missing brother of football great
Police have made a major breakthrough in a 14-year missing persons case involving the fraudster brother of a former elite footballer.
‘We are watching’: 200kg of cocaine on catamaran
A man has been charged after 200kg of cocaine was found on a catamaran sailing into the country amid a probe into a crime syndicate with bikie gang links.
Two critical after garden tool ‘used in suburban brawl’
A suburban brawl in which a gardening tool was allegedly used as a weapon has left two men in hospital in critical condition.
War on illegal tobacco needs more ‘boots on the ground’
Huge enforcement gaps between jurisdictions mean illicit cigarettes and tobacco products are still too easy to access, experts warn.
Thousands march in calls to end domestic violence
Australia has been urged to take stronger action on men's behaviour as thousands of people joined rallies calling for an end to domestic and family violence.
Rideshare driver accused of rape and serial stalking
A man has been charged with multiple counts of stalking, coercive control and sexual offences after using his rideshare service to track down women.
Ex-NRL star cleared to punch on after assault charges
Disgraced former NRL player Curtis Scott will be allowed to participate in a bare-knuckle fight after he denied assaulting a teenager and a police officer.
April Fool’s police-car attack no joke for charged man
A man faces a maximum sentence of a decade behind bars after allegedly punching holes through both windows of a parked police car with a rock.
Police officer stabbed, man arrested after pursuit
A 26-year-old man is accused of stabbing a police officer in the arm and torso during his arrest, following a car chase and an attempt to escape on foot.
Boats, trucks in plot to flood the country with cocaine
When a commercial trawler sank off Victoria with four crew members needing rescuing, police became suspicious about an alleged drug trafficking operation.