Investigation finds NT ICAC gave ‘unwelcome attention’ to female staff – 26 May 2025
The Northern Territory government has released a redacted extract of findings from an investigation into workplace misconduct by former Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) Michael Riches. Mr Riches rejected the allegations but the investigator found it was “unlikely” all 17 staff who came forward “had an axe to grind” or were colluding or acting in bad faith. Mr Riches resigned from his post earlier this month with Greg Shanahan continuing as acting ICAC.
NSW police commissioner cleared of misconduct over alleged leaking of Bondi victim’s name – 27 May 2025
Outgoing NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been cleared of a misconduct allegation related to the Bondi Junction stabbing. She was accused of releasing the name of victim Dawn Singleton to former talkback host Ray Hadley on the day of the attack. Singleton’s mother condemned Commissioner Webb’s alleged actions via a statement to the coronial inquest.
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLaren seized in PBS fraud probe of Sydney pharmacist – 27 May 2025
A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million.
18 people charged in GST fraud scheme, Operation Uniform Galician – 27 May 2025
Detectives from the Far Northern Major and Organised Crime Squad have charged 18 people with 223 Goods and Services Tax (GST) fraud offences. Operation Uniform Galician was launched in the Far North in 2022, to investigate several people involved in a number of large-scale deceptions against government agencies and financial institutions where they provided false details in order to receive fraudulent payments. It will be alleged these individuals collectively defrauded the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) of in excess of $2 million.
Whistleblower protections failed ‘superhero’ Richard Boyle, calls grow for urgent reforms – 28 May 2025
Richard Boyle has faced the heavy price of being a whistleblower in Australia. The law suggests that if you blow the whistle on wrongdoing, you will be protected. But, in Boyle’s case, it didn’t protect him. Nor did the federal government, which could have, at any stage, requested the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) drop all the charges against Boyle. The article explains how the case calls for urgent whistleblower reforms.
‘Staff too fearful to speak out’: Cosmetic surgery sector is a work in progress – 28 May 2025
Nearly four years after a landmark media investigation sparked outrage and long overdue reforms, Australia’s multi-billion-dollar cosmetic surgery industry remains a work in progress. Key legal cases are still dragging on, a regulatory investigation is ongoing and the system is far from fixed.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-28/cosmetic-surgery-concerns-class-action-advertising/105341776
Defence casts doubts over police investigation into Erin Patterson’s deadly mushroom lunch – 29 May 2025
Erin Patterson’s defence lawyers have argued police failed to seize a number of electronic items at her home during a search after the deadly mushroom lunch. Ms Patterson is accused of murder and attempted murder but has maintained her innocence. Leading Senior Constable Stephen Eppingstall is expected to return to the stand.
Woman charged as police find explosives, chemicals and detonators in Cranbourne home – 29 May 2025
A Cranbourne woman has been charged with a range of offences after police allegedly discovered 15kg of explosives at her Melbourne home. Zarna Barbar has also been charged with the trafficking of an industrial solvent and the theft of a car. The 26-year-old was already facing trafficking charges stemming from a prior raid in November last year.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-29/police-find-explosives-cranbourne-woman-charged/105352064
Auditor-general finds there ‘could have been fraud’ at government-owned entity DevelopmentWA – 29 May 2025
A report by WA’s auditor-general has found fraud could have occurred at government-owned land and property developer DevelopmentWA between 2017 and 2022. The audit was conducted to determine whether fraud identified within the Department of Communities by the Corruption and Crime Commission could be occurring at the government’s land developer. The probe was partially sparked by the conviction of former public servant Paul Whyte, who stole millions of taxpayer dollars.
“We are watching”: AUSTRAC orders compliance audits on casinos in Townsville, Darwin – 30 May 2025
Australia’s financial intelligence agency has appointed external auditors to examine the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) compliance of two casinos – one in Queensland and the other in the Northern Territory – after identifying oversight weaknesses in both operations. These audits will assess whether each casino is maintaining an AML/CTF program that identifies, mitigates, and manages money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks, conducting appropriate ML/TF risk assessments, and ensuring boards and senior management maintain effective oversight of the program.
