A body has been located in the search for a missing man in Newcastle.
Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District commenced inquiries to locate a 60-year-old man, last seen in Lambton on Sunday 23 August 2026.
Following extensive inquiries and a land search, a body – believed to be that of the missing man – was located in Lambton today (Monday 24 August 2026).
The body is yet to be formally identified.
A report will be prepared for the information of the Coroner.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing near Newcastle.
Anthony Chapman, aged 60, was last seen on Jerrawa Close, Lambton, about 12.30pm yesterday (Sunday 23 August 2026).
When he was unable to be located or contacted, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were notified and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
Family and police hold concerns for Anthony’s welfare as his disappearance is out of character.
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, with a solid build, and is bald.
Anthony is known to frequent the Jesmond and Lambton area.
Anyone with information about Anthony’s whereabouts is urged to contact Waratah Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Highly skilled waterfront and electrical workers employed at Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) at Kooragang Island have taken the historic step of taking Protected Industrial Action for the first time in the company’s history due to the refusal of bosses to provide a decent agreement with conditions that are consistent with the rest of the industry.
This momentous action comes after more than sixteen years working to an enterprise agreement that NCIG workers say has left them trapped under the dead legacy of the WorkChoices era. This agreement was first struck in the wake of a period when workers’ rights were deliberately weakened and employers were handed unprecedented power by John Howard, Peter Costello and Peter Reith.
NCIG workers throughout the operations side of the business are standing together to secure a fair agreement that recognises the value they create every day and brings their conditions into line with industry standards. These workers operate and maintain the massive machinery which loads bulk cargo ships with export grade coal from throughout the Hunter region and beyond.
Members are seeking practical and overdue improvements including:
Despite operating as a highly productive workforce, NCIG employees continue to be paid less than comparable workers at neighbouring operations while delivering stronger outcomes for the business.
“NCIG workers load more, do more, and carry broader responsibilities. They’re generating significant value and returns for the company but the bosses would rather provoke a dispute than settle a fair agreement,” said Glen Williams, the MUA’s Newcastle Branch Secretary.
“For years, these workers have been told there is no case for change, and when a company like this enters bargaining saying it wants nothing from negotiations, workers are entitled to ask whether that’s because management already secured everything it wanted under arrangements imposed in a very different industrial era,” Mr Williams said.
That question was answered clearly when NCIG recently put its proposed agreement to a workforce vote and the workforce decisively rejected it.
“With 98% voting against the proposal, NCIG workers sent an unmistakable message that they are no longer prepared to accept conditions that fall short of comparable workplaces or agreements that fail to recognise the contribution they make,” Mr Williams said.
“NCIG was given the opportunity to heed that message and come to the bargaining table with a genuine willingness for landing a fair deal. Instead, due to their unwillingness to compromise and their provocations, NCIG workers are now taking protected industrial action — for the first time in NCIG’s history,” Mr Williams added.
Police are appealing for public assistance locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant in the state’s north.
Bryce Jordan Fernley, aged 32, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for drug and firearms-related offences.
Officers attached to Northern Region Enforcement Squad have released an image of Bryce as inquiries continue to locate him.
Bryce is describe as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm – 170cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair and brown eyes.
He is believed to frequent the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens areas.
Anyone who sees him is urged not to approach but to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, and Solomon Island’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Public Service, the Hon Francis Sade, officially opened the Western Border Outpost today in the Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands.
The Western Border Outpost is a jointly delivered infrastructure project between the Australian and Solomon Islands governments. This new facility brings together the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Customs, Immigration, and Biosecurity officials in a single location, enhancing interagency coordination and strengthening border management operations that help keep Solomon Islands secure.
Minister for Police, National Security and Correctional Services, the Hon John Tuhaika Jnr., and Minister of Commerce, Industry, Labour & Immigration, the Hon Harry Kuma also attended the opening ceremony.
The new facility will support Solomon Islands to strengthen border management and maritime security, marking a significant milestone in the longstanding security partnership between the two nations. Once handed over, this will be a sovereign Solomon Islands facility.
Australia is investing more than $100 million (AUD) towards the project, which will also provide offices, accommodation and a wharf capable of supporting Solomon Islands’ Guardian-class Patrol Boats.
In partnership with the Solomon Islands Government, this project has created lasting benefits for local communities including 368 jobs created and more than 1,000 contracts awarded to local businesses.
Australia is proud to support the broad range of initiatives that strengthen Solomon Islands’ national security capabilities and support the growth of the RSIPF.
Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
“The official opening of the Western Border Outpost marks an important milestone in Australia’s longstanding partnership with Solomon Islands.
“This new facility will support Solomon Islands to strengthen border management and maritime security while delivering real benefits for its people.
“It stands as a practical demonstration of what Australia and Solomon Islands can achieve together and provides a sovereign asset for Solomon Islands to use to strengthen its security.”
The Albanese Government has marked a significant milestone in Australia-Japan defence collaboration with successful field trials of a co-developed laser in South Australia.
The Boobook project has broken new ground as the first co-development project between Australian and Japanese defence industries, demonstrating deepening cooperation between our two nations.
The collaboration between Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Mitsubishi Electric Australia (MEA) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) has seen the successful field testing of a world-first prototype laser system.
The laser system draws on more than 20 years of research and development by DSTG to deliver a cutting-edge technology with the potential to enhance surveillance capability.
Boobook supports the implementation of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s 4 May announcement, which committed to enhanced defence and security cooperation.
The successful Boobook trials conducted at Cultana Training Area and DSTG Edinburgh have provided valuable insights into the system’s design and technical requirements, informing the next phases of development and commercialisation.
The testing also demonstrated Australia and Japan’s ability to jointly develop advanced technologies and conduct multinational testing on Australian ranges. This paves the way for ongoing defence industrial collaboration on advanced defence capabilities between our two countries.
As the project progresses, MEA is establishing new facilities at Rydalmere, New South Wales in preparation for large-scale manufacturing within Australia.
This $70 million investment will become the home of a new MEA Defence Division, supporting future manufacturing opportunities in Australia and strengthening access to advanced Mitsubishi Electric defence technologies for the Australian Defence Force into the future.
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP:
“This project demonstrates close collaboration with Japan, to develop cutting-edge technologies that address real capability needs for the Australian Defence Force.
“Boobook is more than a technology project. It is a practical example of the growing defence industrial partnership between Australia and Japan, as well as the opportunities that partnership creates for both nations.
“The establishment of Mitsubishi Electric Australia’s new defence facilities in Rydalmere is a strong vote of confidence in Australia’s defence industrial future and will support new opportunities for advanced manufacturing, technology transfer and workforce growth.”
Australia is outraged the Israeli Government has decided not to pursue criminal proceedings against those responsible for killing Zomi Frankcom and her World Central Kitchen colleagues.
The Australian Government learned of Israel’s decision late last night, moments before it was announced, on World Humanitarian Day – which is especially insulting to Zomi’s loved ones, humanitarians and all Australians.
Zomi represented the best of Australia. Her courage deserves to be celebrated. Her family deserves justice.
This decision falls far short of the accountability we expect.
This is despite Israel Defense Forces admissions that the IDF strikes on Zomi and her colleagues’ vehicles were the result of serious failures to follow IDF procedures, mistaken identification and errors in decision-making.
This was confirmed by Special Adviser Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin’s report.
Democracies seek and accept higher standards. The Australian Government will not stop pressing Israel for justice for Zomi and her colleagues.
I will call in Israel’s Ambassador to Australia Hillel Newman and have directed Australia’s Ambassador to Israel to convey our views directly to Israel as the Australian Government considers next steps.
The Albanese Government has strengthened and streamlined Australia’s Foreign Arrangements Scheme, with legislation passing the Parliament today to help ensure arrangements are consistent with Australia’s national interest.
The reforms modernise the Scheme, which provides Commonwealth oversight of arrangements entered into by states, territories, local governments and public universities with foreign entities.
The changes more clearly embed the national interest in legislation, improve risk management, and streamline notification requirements. They also capture evolving forms of international engagement, such as arrangements involving overseas campuses of Australian universities.
The reforms implement the recommendations from the 2025 independent review of the Scheme led by Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM.
The Government recognises concerns regarding researcher-to-researcher collaboration and will require universities to have appropriate policies and processes in place to identify, monitor and manage associated risks.
For the first time, universities will be legally required to assess whether research projects could adversely affect the national interest or be inconsistent with Australia’s foreign policy.
The Albanese Government has been consistently clear that universities must play their role in managing risks and this reform will help ensure they do so.
Australia is strongly committed to international education and research cooperation that is consistent with our foreign policy.
These reforms will help keep Australia open to the world while appropriately managing risk and protecting our national interest.
Parliament is set to guillotine the ASIO Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2025 through the Senate today, super-sizing ASIO’s coercive questioning and detention powers, while media attention is fixed on the government’s NDIS and gambling reform packages.
This deliberate timing is hiding this contentious bill from appropriate scrutiny and meaning the new “politically motivated violence” trigger, which poses a direct threat to the Palestine solidarity movement and protest rights, will sail through before the public catches up.
The Bill has the support of the Labor, Coalition and One Nation who are in lockstep on giving ASIO this unprecedented expansion of powers. The Greens will seek to amend this bill to remove the worst parts of it, and will vote against any expansion of these dangerous laws.
NB in 20003 now Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke against these laws: https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/australian-security-intelligence-organisation-legislation-amendment-terrorism
Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Sheobridge
“This is the largest expansion of secret interrogation and detention powers this country has seen in over 2 decades, and the major parties are hoping nobody notices until it’s law.
“They were forced to reinsert a sunset date for these powers after community pressure but we know they want them forever.
“You know a bill is a bad idea if the Government and Coalition want to restrict democratic debate to an hour despite mass opposition from the community and political resistance inside this Parliament.
“Under these laws you can be locked up and interrogated in this country without ever being charged or even suspected of a crime. That should terrify every Australian, not just the ones in the room.
“A fourteen-year-old can be detained and questioned by ASIO with no lawyer and no court oversight and then when released they can’t tell anyone.
Responding to the closure of 65 Ignite Minds family day care centres across Victoria following an investigation by the Victorian Education and Care Regulatory Authority (VERA), Greens Early Childhood Education and Care spokesperson Senator Steph Hodgins-May said:
“We need to stop pretending that a market designed to prop up private profits can deliver the early learning system children and families deserve.
“Families are getting sick of waking up to another childcare horror story. When will enough be enough?
“While we commend VERA for its investigation and swift action, simply closing centres doesn’t address the root cause of what has gone horribly wrong with early learning in this country.
“The Commonwealth must urgently step in to support the families affected by these closures, who may now be scrambling to find alternative care and support for their children.
“But ultimately, we need a reckoning: the system is broken.
“For-profit providers have been allowed to operate to unsafe standards, putting profits ahead of care and quality education.
“Closing centres when things go wrong and putting out spot fires will never fix the underlying problem or restore families’ trust in the system.
“Families deserve a universal, high-quality and affordable early learning system where they don’t have to go to bed wondering ‘will my childcare centre be in the headlines tomorrow?’
“Until the Albanese Government confronts the fundamental failings of the market model these headlines will keep coming.”
