Austin Appelbee swam four kilometres through rough surf and ran two kilometres to alert police that his mum, Joanne, and younger siblings, Beau, 12, and Grace, 8, were stranded at sea on January 30.
WhatsApp messages allegedly linked the drivers to Shivam, showing coordination of multiple smuggling trips, including instructions to safe houses and “proof of life” photos.
“Hiding behind a keyboard or phone does not mean you are anonymous and out of the AFP’s reach – we have the resources and technology to find you and bring you before the courts.”
AFP warned that profits from large-scale drug importations could also be used to fund politically motivated crimes or terrorism, contributing to instability across the region.
“Labor will smile, take a selfie, claim they are concerned about incidents in Parliament, and then, when it matters, they vote with the Greens to abandon multicultural Victorians.”
The criticism follows a series of cultural and religious messages from the Prime Minister this week, including extending “Happy Lunar New Year” wishes to the Chinese community.
Police have confirmed no formal reports have been made and are urging anyone who witnessed the sword-wielding showdown to come forward with information.
His visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Australia–India Strategic Research Fund, one of the most important scientific collaboration programs between the two countries.
Prof. Varshney, Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation (CCFI), the WA State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, and Murdoch University’s International Chair in Agriculture and Food Security, is one of only four Australians to have received the honour since the list was launched in 2024.
Reflecting on her month-long journey, Paige said the warmth she encountered wherever she travelled was one of the main reasons she had developed such a strong affection for India.
