The Daily Aus Headlines: Govt announces new national emergency system
Feb 26, 2026
A national test will blast a 10-second siren across phones as a new emergency warning system is trialed. Two men have appeared in court over the alleged abduction and killing of an 85-year-old. A prominent academic is stepping away from teaching amid ties to Jeffrey Epstein. A mother and daughter uncovered the largest coral colony on the Great Barrier Reef.
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Nationwide AusAlert Test Date And Scope
- Australia will run a nationwide test of the $132 million AusAlert emergency warning system on 27 July at 2pm AEST sending a 10-second siren to compatible phones.
- The system launches in October and can target alerts to almost any device with a SIM card for bushfires, floods and other natural disasters.
AusAlert Will Target Any SIM Device
- AusAlert costs $132 million and aims to deliver more targeted emergency warnings for fires, floods and natural disasters.
- Alerts can be sent to almost any SIM-equipped device, improving reach compared with older systems.
Alleged Kidnapping And Murder Of An 85-Year-Old
- Two men, 29 and 24, appeared in court after being charged over the alleged kidnapping and killing of 85-year-old Chris Bagzarian.
- Police say Bagzarian was abducted from northwest Sydney on 13 February and likely murdered by 14 February after being taken to a makeshift stronghold in Jural.