Police Launch Urgent Search for Missing Five-Year-Old
Northern Territory police are searching for five-year-old Sharon, who disappeared from her family home in an Alice Springs town camp late Saturday night. She was last seen at approximately 11:30 pm after being put to bed.
Key Facts
- Police believe 47-year-old Jefferson Lewis led the girl away from the town camp.
- A witness reported seeing Lewis holding the girl's hand shortly before she disappeared.
- Assistant Commissioner of Crime and Intelligence, Peter Malley, stated there have been no confirmed sightings of Sharon or Lewis.
- Authorities continue to believe Sharon is alive, but have noted significant concerns due to the length of time she has been missing.
"The department’s primary objective is to find the girl safe and well," Malley said, acknowledging that the chances of doing so decrease over time. Significant resources have been deployed to the search.
Australian Government to Sell $3 Billion in Defence Properties
The Australian government has announced a plan to sell off $3 billion in defence-owned properties. Defence Minister Richard Marles described the plan as a major reform to the nation's defence estate.
Rationale for the Sale
The decision follows an audit of the defence estate, which revealed that a significant portion of the properties was not being utilized. Marles stated that maintaining the current status quo was not sustainable, citing an expected expenditure of $2 billion over the next 25 years on non-contributing properties. The sale is intended to return funds to the government.
Details of the Plan
- The government has agreed to, or agreed in principle to, 20 recommendations from the audit.
- Of the 68 properties recommended for sale, one (Pittwater annexe in Sydney) will be retained, and three others will be partially retained.
- Three properties have already been sold.
- Major properties identified for sale include the Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These sites are protected by heritage overlays.
Future Use of Land: Finance Minister Katy Gallagher stated that no decisions have been made regarding the future use of the divested land. She noted that some sites might be suitable for housing, while others could have contamination or heritage restrictions that affect their use. The finance department will manage the sale process.