Drug vessel MV Raider heading towards Sydney after being stripped of cocaine – 13 February 2026
The MV Raider — a ship previously intercepted near French Polynesia — is now heading towards Sydney after being stripped of its illegal cargo. On January 16, the French Navy boarded the vessel on the high seas and seized about five tonnes of cocaine that had been hidden on board. After removing the narcotics, French authorities dumped the drugs at sea and released the vessel and its crew because they lacked the legal jurisdiction to prosecute. Australian authorities have refused to comment publicly on whether they are monitoring or plan to detain the Raider and its crew if it enters Australian waters.
Australians’ personal data could soon be accessible by US agencies. Here’s why – 14 February 2026
Reports have emerged that the Australian government might be pressured to agree to a data-sharing arrangement with the United States, linked to continued participation in the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Under proposals tied to an Enhanced Border Security Partnership (EBSP), the US would gain access to sensitive information on Australians — including passport/ID details, facial images, fingerprints, police and immigration records, and potentially other data — to vet travellers entering the US. The Department of Home Affairs has declined to confirm whether negotiations are underway or if Australia is agreeing to such data access ahead of a 31 December deadline set by the US.
Ukraine’s ex-energy minister arrested while trying to cross border – 15 February 2026
Former Energy Minister German Galushchenko was detained by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) while attempting to cross the country’s border on February 15, as part of a major graft investigation. The scandal involves an alleged money-laundering and kickback scheme tied to Ukraine’s state nuclear energy company, Energoatom, and has already led to multiple high-level resignations and investigations.
Alleged fake lawyer accused of $1.4m deception has identity suppressed – 16 February 2026
A Melbourne woman has been charged over allegedly posing as a qualified lawyer at several law firms and earning a total of about A$1.4 million in salary and salaries over several years despite having no law degree or practising certificate. Six charges have been laid, including obtaining a financial advantage by deception and engaging in legal practice while not qualified.
Highly sensitive Australian court data accessed by foreign entity based in India – 17 February 2026
An ABC investigation found highly sensitive transcripts from Australian federal and family courts were accessed by staff at e24 Technologies, a company based in Chennai, India, after being subcontracted work by VIQ Solutions, the Canadian firm contracted to produce court transcripts. This occurred without notifying the courts and in breach of VIQ’s Commonwealth contracts and federal law, which require strict confidentiality and prohibit unsanctioned offshore access to court data.
Anti-slavery commissioner calls for tougher laws amid forced labour concerns for Ansell and Kmart – 17 February 2026
Australia’s anti slavery commissioner, Chris Evans, says current modern slavery laws are too weak, allowing many companies to treat reporting requirements as a “tick a box” exercise rather than genuinely combatting forced labour. He wants mandatory due diligence obligations requiring companies to actively identify and address slavery risks — similar to anti money laundering duties — and the ability to designate high risk industries or products for closer scrutiny. Evans warned that without stronger laws, Australia risks becoming a “dumping ground” for goods made with forced labour that other countries with tougher rules won’t accept.
KPMG partner fined for using artificial intelligence to cheat in AI training test – 17 February 2026
A partner at KPMG Australia was fined A$10,000 after using artificial intelligence tools to cheat on an internal AI training examination. The partner uploaded training materials into an AI system to help answer questions, which violated KPMG’s internal policies. The case highlights growing challenges firms face in balancing the adoption of AI with enforcing ethical standards, especially in testing and training contexts.
Hacker releases data after claiming to have accessed ‘hundreds of thousands’ of Aussies’ loans, driver’s licences – 18 February 2026
A threat actor has released data online that it claims to have stolen from Sydney based finance technology company youX, which provides software used by brokers and lenders to process loan applications. The hacker claims to have accessed a huge dataset — hundreds of thousands of Australians’ personal information, including names, phone numbers, residential addresses, loan application details and driver’s licence numbers.
Andrew released under investigation after arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office – 19 February 2026
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, previously known as Prince Andrew, was arrested on 19 February 2026 — his 66th birthday — by Thames Valley Police in Norfolk, England. He was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest is linked to allegations stemming from recently released “Epstein files”, which suggest that while he served as a UK trade envoy in the 2000s he may have forwarded confidential government material to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c70kjr9wjw0t
Employees of Albany lolly shop fined for illegal tobacco sales say they were never paid – 19 February 2026
Two employees of a shop in Albany CBD that presented itself as a lolly store were fined $1,000 each and received spent convictions after admitting they sold tobacco products without a licence and unlawfully possessed a prescription drug. Detectives raided the premises last month and seized over 22,000 cigarettes and 89 nicotine vapes.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-19/illegal-tobacco-fines-albany-lolly-shop/106364808
Sydney businessman falsely claimed security advice given to Chinese spies came from Kevin Rudd, court hears – 19 February 2026
Sydney businessman Alexander Csergo, 59, has gone on trial in the NSW District Court after pleading not guilty to a reckless foreign interference charge. Prosecutors allege Csergo provided reports to two people he believed worked for China’s Ministry of State Security, in exchange for cash, between late 2021 and early 2023. The reports covered topics like Australia’s defence alliances (AUKUS), global diplomatic grouping the Quad, lithium and iron ore markets, and German politics.
Cyber criminals use self-managed super as ‘getaway vehicle’, as illegal access rises – 19 February 2026
Australian regulators — including the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) — warn that cyber criminals are using self managed super funds as a “getaway vehicle” to divert and steal people’s retirement savings. Criminals allegedly create fraudulent SMSFs using stolen identities, roll over superannuation from members’ main funds into these bogus SMSFs, then withdraw or siphon off the money.
Man charged with terrorism offences after phones seized in Sydney’s south-west – 19 February 2026
NSW Police have charged a 31 year old man with terrorism related offences after violent extremist material was allegedly found on mobile phones seized during a traffic stop in Yagoona, south west Sydney late last year. When investigators examined the phones, with help from the Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Command, they allegedly uncovered violent extremist material on one of the devices.
NDIS worker allegedly steals $5 million from taxpayers in business fraud scheme – 20 February 2026
A 47-year-old man from Darwin, who works for the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), has been arrested and charged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) over alleged fraud involving the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Authorities allege he used his position as a public servant to refer vulnerable NDIS participants to a disability service provider that he co-owned. That business has claimed more than $28 million in NDIS funds since 2019, with about $5 million identified as suspicious by investigators.
